Brachial Plexus Injuries in Adults: Evaluation and Diagnostic Approach

Table 3

Terminal branches of brachial plexus and their action.

Nerve	Muscle	Action
Dorsal scapular (C5)	Rhomboid	Stabilization of scapula
Long thoracic (C5)	Serratus anterior	Abduction of scapula
Suprascapular (C5)	Supraspinatus Infraspinatus	Abduction of shoulder External rotation of shoulder
Medial (C8) and lateral pectoral (C7)	Pectoralis major	Adducts the shoulder
	Pectoralis minor	Stabilizes the scapula
Subscapular (C5)	Subscapularis and teres major	Internal rotation of shoulder
Thoracodorsal (C7)	Latissimus dorsi	Adduction of shoulder
Musculocutaneous (C5)	Biceps brachii and brachialis	Flexion of elbow
Ulnar (C8, T1)	Flexor carpi ulnaris; Intrinsic muscles of hand	Flexion of wrist and fingers; Abduction of fingers
Median (C6, C7, C8, T1)	Pronators of forearm; Flexors of wrist and fingers	Pronation of forearm; Flexion of wrist and fingers
Radial (C6, C7, C8)	Supinator; Triceps brachii; Extensors of wrist and fingers	Supination of forearm; Extension of elbow, wrist, and fingers
Axillary (C5)	Deltoid and teres minor	Abduction of shoulder