Brachial plexus: branches (English)

With respect to their position relative to the clavicle, the branches of the brachial plexus can be divided into supraclavicular and infraclavicular groups. The supraclavicular branches include the dorsal scapular nerve, suprascapular nerve, long thoracic nerve and subclavian nerve. The infrascapular branches can be further divided into preterminal and terminal branches. The preterminal infraclavicular branches emerge from the lateral, medial and posterior cords of the brachial plexus. The lateral cord gives rise to the lateral pectoral nerve while the medial cord gives rise to the medial pectoral nerve and medial brachial/antebrachial cutaneous nerves forearm. The posterior cord of the brachial plexus gives off the upper subscapular nerve, thoracodorsal nerve and lower subscapular nerve. Finally, the five main terminal branches include the musculocutaneous, axillary, radial, median and ulnar nerves.