Posterior cord

The posterior cord is a part of the brachial plexus. It consists of contributions from all of the roots of the brachial plexus.

Posterior cord
Plan of brachial plexus. (Posterior cord is shaded gray.)
The right brachial plexus with its short branches, viewed from in front. The sternomastoid and trapezius muscles have been completely removed, the omohyoid and subclavius have been partially removed; a piece has been sawed out of the clavicle; the pectoralis muscles have been incised and reflected.
Details
From	Brachial plexus - posterior divisions of the three trunks
To	Subscapular, up. and low. thoracodorsal axillary radial
Innervates	None
Identifiers
Latin	fasciculus posterior plexus brachialis
TA98	A14.2.03.023
TA2	6416
FMA	45237
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The posterior cord gives rise to the following nerves:

Name	Roots	Supplies
upper subscapular nerve	C5-C6	subscapularis muscle of the rotator cuff
lower subscapular nerve	C5-C6	subscapularis muscle, teres major muscle
thoracodorsal nerve	C6-C8	latissimus dorsi muscle
axillary nerve	C5-C6	sensation to the shoulder and motor to the deltoid muscle and the teres minor
radial nerve	C5-C8, T1	triceps brachii muscle, the brachioradialis muscle, the extensor muscles of the fingers and wrist (extensor carpi radialis muscle), supinator, and the extensor and abductor muscles of the thumb

Additional images

• 
  Brachial plexus
• 
  Posterior cord
• 
  Posterior cord
• 
  Brachial plexus. Deep dissection.
• 
  Brachial plexus. Deep dissection. Anterolateral view

References

MBBS resources http://mbbsbasic.googlepages.com/

External links

• Atlas image: hand_plexus at the University of Michigan Health System - "Axilla, dissection, anterior view"