Nerves of the Upper Extremity:

Nerve Innervation Injury

Musculocutaneous All muscles in anterior Weakness of flexion of arm
compartment of arm (Biceps
brachii, Coracobrachialis,
Brachialis)
Median “ 2LOAF” Most flexors of forearm, Carpal Tunnel: weakness of
thenar muscles in hand (Palmaris thenar muscles (trouble
longus, Flexor carpi radialis, with opposition), pain and
Pronator teres, Flexor digitorum tingling in palmar surface of
superficialis, lateral half of Flexor lateral 3 ½ digits and lateral
digitorum profundus, Flexor side of palm and middle of
pollicis longus, Pronator wrist
quadrates)
Radial All muscles in posterior Midshaft humerus fracture:
compartments of arm and wrist drop due to failure of
forearm (Triceps brachii, extensor muscles, and
Brachioradialis, Extensor carpi sensory changes in dorsum
radialis longus and brevis, of hand
Aconeus, Supinator)
As posterior interosseous nerve:
Abductor pollicis longus, Extensor
pollicis brevis and longus, Extensor
indicis, Extensor digitorum,
Extensor digiti minimi, Extensor
carpi ulnaris
Ulnar Most intrinsic hand muscles Fracture of medial
(hypothenars (OAFs), lumbricals, epicondyle of humerus:
interossei, Palmaris brevis, clawed hand, loss of
adductor pollicis), flexor carpi sensation in medial 1 ½
ulnaris, medial half of flexor digits
digitorum profundus
Axillary Deltoid, Teres minor Fracture of surgical neck of
humerus: loss of arm
abduction at shoulder
Rotator Cuff: shoulder joint
instability, weakness in
lateral rotation
Dorsal Scapular Levator scapulae, Rhomboid major Scapula drifts laterally, loss
and minor of elevation
Suprascapular Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus Rotator Cuff muscles:
instability of shoulder joint,
weakness in lateral rotation
Subscapular Teres Major (Inf. Ss), Subscapularis Weakness in medial
(Inf. and Sup. Ss) rotation
Thoracodorsal Latissimus dorsi Weakness in adduction,
medial rotation, and
extension of humerus at
shoulder joint
Long Thoracic Serratus anterior Winged Scapula, loss of
elevation of arm
Medial Pectoral Pectoralis major and minor Weakness in flexion,
adduction, and medial
rotation of arm at shoulder
and protraction of scapula
Lateral Pectoral Pectoralis Major Weakness in flexion,
adduction, and medial
rotation of arm at shoulder

Special Spaces/Compartments:

Space/Compartment Boundaries Contents/Significance

Quadrangular Space Post: teres minor, surg. Neck of Axillary nerve, Posterior
humerus, teres major, long head circumflex humeral artery
of triceps brachii
Ant: subscapularis, surg. Neck of Fracture of rib 1 or anterior
humerus, teres major, long head dislocation of humeral head may
of triceps brachii compress axillary artery
(anastomoses with subclavian
artery prevent ischemia)
Triangular Space Post: long head of triceps Circumflex scapular artery
brachii, teres minor, teres major
Ant: long head of triceps brachii,
teres major, subscapularis
Triangular Interval Long head of triceps brachii, Profunda brachii artery, radial
shaft of humerus, teres major nerve
Axillary Inlet Lateral border rib 1, posterior Axillary Artery and Vein,
surface of clavicle, superior Lymphatics, Axillary Nerve
border of scapula
Cubital Fossa Brachioradialis and Pronator Biceps brachii tendon, brachial
teres, base is imaginary line artery, median nerve, median
between medial and lateral cubital vein
epicondyles of humerus
Carpal Tunnel Pisiform, triquetrum, hamate, Median nerve, tendons of flexor
capitates, trapezoid, trapezium, digitorum profundus and
and the flexor retinaculum that superficialis, and tendon of
spans this carpal arch flexor pollicis longus
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Anatomical Snuffbox Tendons of pollicis abductor and Radial artery and nerve, cephalic
extensors vein