Osmosis video - Brachial plexus

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that originate in the spinal cord in the neck and pass down through the shoulder area to sensory and motor nerve supply to the shoulder area, and the arm, the forearm, and the hand. It originates from spinal roots C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1, which combine to form three trunks. Trunks divide into 6 divisions, because each trunk splits into an anterior and a posterior division. Divisions regroup into three cords, which finally, give rise to five terminal branches of the brachial plexus that are the musculocutaneous nerve, the axillary nerve, the radial nerve, the median nerve, and the ulnar nerve. Injury to any of these nerves can cause paralysis or other problems with movement and sensation. The brachial plexus can be injured during birth when the baby's head or shoulders get stuck in the birth canal. This can stretch or tear the nerve fibers. Other causes of injury include heavy lifting, car accidents, and falls.