ANATOMY OF THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS

Abstract

Well understanding of anatomy of brachial plexus would provide suitable information for the surgeons to diagnose and plan the treatment. Describe origin, pattern, branches of brachial plexus and anatomical relation Describe histology of nerve roots forming the brachial plexus. Standard Vietnamese adult cadavers preserved by formol at Anatomy Department, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy were dissected and described in gross anatomy and microanatomy. All 32 brachial plexus samples come from C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1. Root C4 involve in 1 case (6,3%). The mean length of superior trunks is 43,42mm, middle 40,88mm, and inferior trunks is 41,38mm; Mean perimeter of superior trunks is 20,13mm, middle 17,61mm and inferior trunks is 17,93mm. Root of lateral cords come from superior and middle trunks to become musculocutaneous and median nerves. Root of posterior cords come from superior, middle and inferior trunks to become axillary and radial nerves; Root of medial cords come from inferior trunks to become ulnar and median nerves. There is one variation of brachial plexus in type 1 (Prefixed) and no variation in type 3 (postfixed). No abnormal case in anatomy of brachial plexus. The mean percentage and number of axons: C6 > C8 > T1 > C5; There is no difference in number of axons between 2 sides.