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 |