Posterior cord

Nerve: 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, 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.
Latin	fasciculus posterior plexus brachialis
Gray's	subject #210 933
Innervates	none
From	brachial plexus - posterior divisions of the three trunks
To	subscapular, up. and low. thoracodorsal axillary radial

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

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	teres major
thoracodorsal nerve	C6-C8	latissimus dorsi muscle
axillary nerve	C5-C6	sensation to the shoulder and motor to the deltoid muscle, the teres minor and the triceps brachii (long head) muscle
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

References

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

External links

• Atlas of anatomy at UMich hand_plexus - "Axilla, dissection, anterior view"