Variations in branching pattern of Brachial Plexus: A cadaveric study

Brachial plexus is formed by ventral primary rami of C5 to T1. The aim of the present study is to study the variations in branching pattern of the brachial plexus. In present study 100 brachial plexuses from 50 well embalmed Human cadavers were studied in anatomy department, B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad. Out of 100 upper limbs, three upper limbs show multiple communications between Medial & Lateral root of median nerve. In one cadaver, we found that median nerve was formed by two lateral roots and one medial root on right side. Communication between musculocutaneous nerve and median nerve found were in 6 cases. In such cases, the communicating branch run from the musculocutaneus nerve to median nerve, after piercing the coracobrachialis muscle. In one cadaver, on right side, two variations were found. One variation was that upper and lower subscapular nerves were arising from axillary nerve. Second variation was that there was communication between radial nerve and axillary nerve. It is concluded that knowledge of such variations is essential in evaluation of unexplained sensory and motor loss after trauma and surgical interventions to upper limb. Knowledge of these is important to anatomists, radiologists, anesthesiologists and surgeons.