%0 Journal Article
%T Posterior Cord of Brachial Plexus and Its Branches: Anatomical Variations and Clinical Implication
%A Rakhi Rastogi
%A Virendra Budhiraja
%A Kshitij Bansal
%J ISRN Anatomy
%D 2013
%R 10.5402/2013/501813
%X Background. Knowledge of anatomical variations of posterior cord and its branches is important not only for the administration of anaesthetic blocks but also for surgical approaches to the neck, axilla, and upper arm. The present study aimed to record the prevalence of such variations with embryological explanation and clinical implication. Material and Method. 37 formalin-preserved cadavers, that is, 74 upper extremities from the Indian population, constituted the material for the study. Cadavers were dissected during routine anatomy classes for medical undergraduate. Dissection includes surgical incision in the axilla, followed by retraction of various muscles, to observe and record the formation and branching pattern of posterior cord of brachial plexus. Results. Posterior cord was formed by union of posterior division of C5 and C6 roots with posterior division of middle and lower trunk (there was no upper trunk) in 16.2% of upper extremities. Posterior cord of brachial plexus was present lateral to the second part of axillary artery in 18.9% of upper extremities. Axillary nerve was taking origin from posterior division of upper trunk in 10.8% upper extremities and thoracodorsal nerve arising from axillary nerve in 22.9% upper extremities. Conclusion. It is important to be aware of such variations while planning a surgery in the region of axilla as these nerves are more liable to be injured during surgical procedures. 1. Introduction Posterior cord of brachial plexus is formed by union of posterior division of upper, middle, and lower trunk of brachial plexus. It lies posterior to, second part of axillary artery. The posterior cord of brachial plexus after giving upper subscapular, thoracodorsal, lower subscapular, and axillary nerve in the axilla continues distally as the radial nerve [1]. Knowledge of the variations of posterior cord and its branches is important for the administration of anaesthetic blocks, surgical approaches to the neck, axilla, and upper arm [2, 3]. The present study describes the variations of posterior cord observed in population from central India. 2. Material and Method The formalin-fixed 37 cadavers, that is, 74 upper extremities constitute the material for study. During routine dissection of axilla and supraclavicular region of medical undergraduates in L.N. Medical College Bhopal, the skin and various muscles were reflected and superficial fascia and deep fascia were separated to visualize the formation and branching pattern of posterior cord. 3. Results We recorded variations in the formation, location, and branching
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.anatomy/2013/501813/