Anatomy: Extremities Table of Nerves

EXTREMITIES TABLE of NERVES

Nerve Origin Branches /
Terminus
Path / Relationships Motor Innervation Cutaneous Innervation Injury

Dorsal Scapular Nerve Brachial Plexus: C5 Root

Long Thoracic Nerve Brachial Plexus: C5-7 Roots Runs along Serratus Anterior. You gotta watch it during a mastectomy Rhomboideus Major and Minor, and Serratus Anterior muscles WINGED SCAPULA: No innervation to the muscles holding down the scapula

Lateral Pectoral Nerve Brachial Plexus: Lateral Cord Pectoralis Major and Minor muscles Mammary Glands

Medial Antebrachial Cutaneous Brachial Plexus: Medial Cord Anteromedial forearm

Thoracodorsal Nerve Brachial Plexus: Posterior Cord Latissimus Dorsi muscle

Radial Nerve Brachial Plexus: Posterior Cord (C5-C8, T1) Posterior Brachial and Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerves; Deep Branch; Superficial Branch Radial groove of mid-humerus; deep to Triangular Interval; in the Anatomical Snuffbox; Gives off posterior brachial and antebrachial cutaneous nerves POSTERIOR ARM, POSTERIOR FOREARM Posterior arm and forearm; dorsal aspect of hand, except (1) the last two digits and (2) the fingertips. Central dorsal forearm. WRIST-DROP: No extensors

Axillary Nerve Brachial Plexus: Posterior Cord (C5, C6) Surgical neck of humerus; it goes through the Quadrangular Space Shoulder DUCHENNE-ERB PARALYSIS: Drooping shoulder with hand in "Waiter's Tip" position

Subclavius Nerve Brachial Plexus: Superior Trunk Given off at ERB'S POINT (C5-C6 union) in the Upper Brachial Trunk Subclavius Muscle Damaged by Upper Brachial Plexus Injury, resulting in Duchenne-Urb Paralysis

Suprascapular Nerve Brachial Plexus: Superior Trunk Given off at ERB'S POINT (C5-C6 union) in the Upper Brachial Trunk Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus muscles Damaged by Upper Brachial Plexus Injury, resulting in Duchenne-Urb Paralysis

Musculocutaneous Nerve Brachial Plexus: Lateral Cord (C5-C7) Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve It pierces the Coracobrachialis Muscle ANTERIOR ARM Anterolateral forearm

Median Nerve Brachial Plexus: Lateral / Medial Cords (C6-T1, C5) Palmar Branch; Common and Proper Digitals (1st thru 3rd); Anterior Interosseus Nerve Between the Flex.Dig.Superficialis and Profundus muscles; goes through carpal tunnel ANTERIOR FOREARM, EXCEPT Flexor Carpi Ulnaris and lateral half of Flexor digitorum profundus; Thenar Muscles Lateral 2/3 of palm (1st thru 3rd digits); dorsal fingertips of 1st thru 3rd digits; parts of anterior forearm Can contribute to Klumpke's Paralysis; no opposition of thumb; no sensation on palm of hand; Supracondylar Syndrome

Ulnar Nerve Brachial Plexus: Medial Cord (C8-T1, C7) Deep and Superficial Branches It passes through Guyon's Tunnel, superficial to Carpal Tunnel; "Funny Bone" between medial epicondyle and olecranon; Divides into deep and superficial branches The Flexor Carpi Ulnaris and medial half of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus Medial 1/3 of hand, both dorsal and palmar KLUMPKE'S PARALYSIS / CLAW-HAND: No intrinsic hand muscles = overflexion distally and overextension proximally; loss of cutaneous sensation

Superficial Peroneal Nerve Common Peroneal Nerve Crosses the front of the ankle very subcutaneously. Traverses very superficial to the extensor retinaculum. LATERAL LEG Dorsum of the foot except first web-space; lateral lower leg VARUS: Foot bends inward due to lost eversion of foot; It is so superficial that it can be irritated by tight shoes

Deep Peroneal Nerve Common Peroneal Nerve Lateral and Medial branches to dorsum of foot Gives lateral and medial branches to dorsum of foot ANTERIOR LEG Dorsal web-space between 1st and 2nd toes FOOT DROP: Cannot raise foot during a normal gait due to lost dorsiflexion

Lateral Sural Cutaneous Nerve Common Peroneal Nerve Lateral upper leg

Spinal Accessory Nerve Cranial Nerve XI Trapezius Muscle

Saphenous Nerve Femoral Nerve Runs with Saphenous vein ONLY IN LEG, runs just in front of medial malleolus Medial aspect of the leg and foot It would be the only residual innervation of the foot, should you lost the Sciatic Nerve

Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Lumbar Plexus (L2-4) Travels under Inguinal Ligament at its lateral limit, creating potential for entrapment Lateral thigh

Obturator Nerve Lumbar Plexus (L2-4) Through obturator foramen, above, below, or through Piriformis MEDIAL THIGH Medial thigh, right above the knee GLUTEAL GAIT: No ADDUCTION of the thigh

Femoral Nerve Lumbar Plexus (L2-4) Saphenous Nerve; Anterior cutaneous branches Travels between Inguinal Ligament and Psoas Muscle, creating potential for entrapment ANTERIOR THIGH Anteromedial thigh, Medial aspect of the leg and foot

Common and Proper Digital Nerves Median Nerve Lateral 3 fingers of palmar hand; lateral 3 dorsal fingertips

Anterior Interosseus Nerve Median Nerve Parts of the Anterior Forearm

Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous Musculocutaneous Nerve Posterior and Anterior branches Anterolateral forearm Has anterior and posterior branches

Deep (Motor) Branch of the Radial Radial Nerve Posterior Interosseus Nerve It becomes the Posterior Interosseus Nerve POSTERIOR FOREARM SUPINATOR CHANNEL SYNDROME: At lateral epicondyle, wrist-drop

Posterior Interosseus Nerve Radial Nerve It pierces the Supinator muscle to innervate the forearm; travels between the superficial and deep muscles in posterior forearm POSTERIOR FOREARM

Superficial (Cutaneous) Branch of the Radial Radial Nerve (T1) Dorsal Digital Nerves Travels deep to the Brachioradialis Dorsal Hand: 1st three digits, EXCEPT fingertips Gives off Dorsal Digital Nerves to the lateral three digits

Posterior Femoral Cutaneous Sacral Plexus (L4-5,S1-S3) Posterior thigh

Superior Gluteal Nerve Sacral Plexus (L4-5,S1-S3) It travels superior to the Piriformis, then between the Gluteus Minimus and Medius Gluteus Minimus, Gluteus Medius muscles GLUTEAL GAIT: No ABDUCTION of the thigh

Piriformis Nerve Sacral Plexus (L4-5,S1-S3) Piriformis Muscle

Sciatic Nerve Sacral Plexus (L4-5,S1-S3) Common Peroneal Nerve; Tibial Nerve Assoc. with Piriformis Muscle in hip; Joins femoral nerve at Popliteal Fossa POSTERIOR THIGH, Posterior Leg and Plantar Foot via Tibial Lateral leg and dorsum of foot, via Common Peroneal

Inferior Gluteal Nerve Sacral Plexus (L4-5,S1-S3) Gluteus Maximus

Common Peroneal Nerve Sciatic Nerve Deep Peroneal Nerve; Superficial Peroneal Nerve; Lateral Sural Cutaneous Nerve Travels superficially around the lateral aspect of the knee (head of the fibula), where it divides. Anterior Leg, via Deep Peroneal Lateral leg and dorsum of foot FOOT DROP (no deep peroneal) and VARUS (no superficial peroneal)

Tibial Nerve Sciatic Nerve Medial Sural Cutaneous Nerve; Sural Nerve; Medial and Lateral Plantar Nerves Passes under the Flexor Retinaculum: TARSAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME POSTERIOR LEG; Planter aspect of the foot Plantar Aspect of the foot CALCANEOUS DEFORMITY: Can't stand on tiptoes (no plantarflexion). Also no sensation to sole of foot.

Medial and Lateral Planter Nerves Tibial Nerve Sole of the foot Sole of the foot

Medial Sural Cutaneous Tibial Nerve Posterior Leg below knee

Sural Nerve Tibial Nerve Lateral Dorsal Cutaneous Nerve of foot Pure sensory nerve -- it is a spare part and does NOT supply the Gastrocs like the Sural A. Lateral aspect of foot; posterior leg

Medial and Lateral Plantar Nerves Tibial Nerve SOLE OF FOOT

Deep (Motor) Branch of the Ulnar Ulnar Nerve (T1) Dorsal and Palmar Interossei muscles

Superficial (Cutaneous) Branch of the Ulnar Ulnar Nerve (T1) Common and Proper Palmar Digital (4th and 5th) Passes through Guyon's Canal, superficial to flexor retinaculum; Gives off common and proper digitals Palmar Innervation of 4th and 5th digits

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Nerve	Origin	Branches / Terminus	Path / Relationships	Motor Innervation	Cutaneous Innervation	Injury
Dorsal Scapular Nerve	Brachial Plexus: C5 Root
Long Thoracic Nerve	Brachial Plexus: C5-7 Roots		Runs along Serratus Anterior. You gotta watch it during a mastectomy	Rhomboideus Major and Minor, and Serratus Anterior muscles		WINGED SCAPULA: No innervation to the muscles holding down the scapula
Lateral Pectoral Nerve	Brachial Plexus: Lateral Cord			Pectoralis Major and Minor muscles	Mammary Glands
Medial Antebrachial Cutaneous	Brachial Plexus: Medial Cord				Anteromedial forearm
Thoracodorsal Nerve	Brachial Plexus: Posterior Cord			Latissimus Dorsi muscle
Radial Nerve	Brachial Plexus: Posterior Cord (C5-C8, T1)	Posterior Brachial and Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerves; Deep Branch; Superficial Branch	Radial groove of mid-humerus; deep to Triangular Interval; in the Anatomical Snuffbox; Gives off posterior brachial and antebrachial cutaneous nerves	POSTERIOR ARM, POSTERIOR FOREARM	Posterior arm and forearm; dorsal aspect of hand, except (1) the last two digits and (2) the fingertips. Central dorsal forearm.	WRIST-DROP: No extensors
Axillary Nerve	Brachial Plexus: Posterior Cord (C5, C6)		Surgical neck of humerus; it goes through the Quadrangular Space		Shoulder	DUCHENNE-ERB PARALYSIS: Drooping shoulder with hand in "Waiter's Tip" position
Subclavius Nerve	Brachial Plexus: Superior Trunk		Given off at ERB'S POINT (C5-C6 union) in the Upper Brachial Trunk	Subclavius Muscle		Damaged by Upper Brachial Plexus Injury, resulting in Duchenne-Urb Paralysis
Suprascapular Nerve	Brachial Plexus: Superior Trunk		Given off at ERB'S POINT (C5-C6 union) in the Upper Brachial Trunk	Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus muscles		Damaged by Upper Brachial Plexus Injury, resulting in Duchenne-Urb Paralysis
Musculocutaneous Nerve	Brachial Plexus: Lateral Cord (C5-C7)	Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve	It pierces the Coracobrachialis Muscle	ANTERIOR ARM	Anterolateral forearm
Median Nerve	Brachial Plexus: Lateral / Medial Cords (C6-T1, C5)	Palmar Branch; Common and Proper Digitals (1st thru 3rd); Anterior Interosseus Nerve	Between the Flex.Dig.Superficialis and Profundus muscles; goes through carpal tunnel	ANTERIOR FOREARM, EXCEPT Flexor Carpi Ulnaris and lateral half of Flexor digitorum profundus; Thenar Muscles	Lateral 2/3 of palm (1st thru 3rd digits); dorsal fingertips of 1st thru 3rd digits; parts of anterior forearm	Can contribute to Klumpke's Paralysis; no opposition of thumb; no sensation on palm of hand; Supracondylar Syndrome
Ulnar Nerve	Brachial Plexus: Medial Cord (C8-T1, C7)	Deep and Superficial Branches	It passes through Guyon's Tunnel, superficial to Carpal Tunnel; "Funny Bone" between medial epicondyle and olecranon; Divides into deep and superficial branches	The Flexor Carpi Ulnaris and medial half of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus	Medial 1/3 of hand, both dorsal and palmar	KLUMPKE'S PARALYSIS / CLAW-HAND: No intrinsic hand muscles = overflexion distally and overextension proximally; loss of cutaneous sensation
Superficial Peroneal Nerve	Common Peroneal Nerve		Crosses the front of the ankle very subcutaneously. Traverses very superficial to the extensor retinaculum.	LATERAL LEG	Dorsum of the foot except first web-space; lateral lower leg	VARUS: Foot bends inward due to lost eversion of foot; It is so superficial that it can be irritated by tight shoes
Deep Peroneal Nerve	Common Peroneal Nerve	Lateral and Medial branches to dorsum of foot	Gives lateral and medial branches to dorsum of foot	ANTERIOR LEG	Dorsal web-space between 1st and 2nd toes	FOOT DROP: Cannot raise foot during a normal gait due to lost dorsiflexion
Lateral Sural Cutaneous Nerve	Common Peroneal Nerve				Lateral upper leg
Spinal Accessory Nerve	Cranial Nerve XI			Trapezius Muscle
Saphenous Nerve	Femoral Nerve		Runs with Saphenous vein ONLY IN LEG, runs just in front of medial malleolus		Medial aspect of the leg and foot	It would be the only residual innervation of the foot, should you lost the Sciatic Nerve
Lateral Femoral Cutaneous	Lumbar Plexus (L2-4)		Travels under Inguinal Ligament at its lateral limit, creating potential for entrapment		Lateral thigh
Obturator Nerve	Lumbar Plexus (L2-4)		Through obturator foramen, above, below, or through Piriformis	MEDIAL THIGH	Medial thigh, right above the knee	GLUTEAL GAIT: No ADDUCTION of the thigh
Femoral Nerve	Lumbar Plexus (L2-4)	Saphenous Nerve; Anterior cutaneous branches	Travels between Inguinal Ligament and Psoas Muscle, creating potential for entrapment	ANTERIOR THIGH	Anteromedial thigh, Medial aspect of the leg and foot
Common and Proper Digital Nerves	Median Nerve				Lateral 3 fingers of palmar hand; lateral 3 dorsal fingertips
Anterior Interosseus Nerve	Median Nerve			Parts of the Anterior Forearm
Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous	Musculocutaneous Nerve	Posterior and Anterior branches			Anterolateral forearm	Has anterior and posterior branches
Deep (Motor) Branch of the Radial	Radial Nerve	Posterior Interosseus Nerve	It becomes the Posterior Interosseus Nerve	POSTERIOR FOREARM		SUPINATOR CHANNEL SYNDROME: At lateral epicondyle, wrist-drop
Posterior Interosseus Nerve	Radial Nerve		It pierces the Supinator muscle to innervate the forearm; travels between the superficial and deep muscles in posterior forearm	POSTERIOR FOREARM
Superficial (Cutaneous) Branch of the Radial	Radial Nerve (T1)	Dorsal Digital Nerves	Travels deep to the Brachioradialis		Dorsal Hand: 1st three digits, EXCEPT fingertips	Gives off Dorsal Digital Nerves to the lateral three digits
Posterior Femoral Cutaneous	Sacral Plexus (L4-5,S1-S3)				Posterior thigh
Superior Gluteal Nerve	Sacral Plexus (L4-5,S1-S3)		It travels superior to the Piriformis, then between the Gluteus Minimus and Medius	Gluteus Minimus, Gluteus Medius muscles		GLUTEAL GAIT: No ABDUCTION of the thigh
Piriformis Nerve	Sacral Plexus (L4-5,S1-S3)			Piriformis Muscle
Sciatic Nerve	Sacral Plexus (L4-5,S1-S3)	Common Peroneal Nerve; Tibial Nerve	Assoc. with Piriformis Muscle in hip; Joins femoral nerve at Popliteal Fossa	POSTERIOR THIGH, Posterior Leg and Plantar Foot via Tibial	Lateral leg and dorsum of foot, via Common Peroneal
Inferior Gluteal Nerve	Sacral Plexus (L4-5,S1-S3)			Gluteus Maximus
Common Peroneal Nerve	Sciatic Nerve	Deep Peroneal Nerve; Superficial Peroneal Nerve; Lateral Sural Cutaneous Nerve	Travels superficially around the lateral aspect of the knee (head of the fibula), where it divides.	Anterior Leg, via Deep Peroneal	Lateral leg and dorsum of foot	FOOT DROP (no deep peroneal) and VARUS (no superficial peroneal)
Tibial Nerve	Sciatic Nerve	Medial Sural Cutaneous Nerve; Sural Nerve; Medial and Lateral Plantar Nerves	Passes under the Flexor Retinaculum: TARSAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME	POSTERIOR LEG; Planter aspect of the foot	Plantar Aspect of the foot	CALCANEOUS DEFORMITY: Can't stand on tiptoes (no plantarflexion). Also no sensation to sole of foot.
Medial and Lateral Planter Nerves	Tibial Nerve			Sole of the foot	Sole of the foot
Medial Sural Cutaneous	Tibial Nerve				Posterior Leg below knee
Sural Nerve	Tibial Nerve	Lateral Dorsal Cutaneous Nerve of foot	Pure sensory nerve -- it is a spare part and does NOT supply the Gastrocs like the Sural A.		Lateral aspect of foot; posterior leg
Medial and Lateral Plantar Nerves	Tibial Nerve			SOLE OF FOOT
Deep (Motor) Branch of the Ulnar	Ulnar Nerve (T1)			Dorsal and Palmar Interossei muscles
Superficial (Cutaneous) Branch of the Ulnar	Ulnar Nerve (T1)	Common and Proper Palmar Digital (4th and 5th)	Passes through Guyon's Canal, superficial to flexor retinaculum; Gives off common and proper digitals		Palmar Innervation of 4th and 5th digits