How to Draw

the Brachial Plexus

 Directions
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 Educational Purpose
This brief, animated PowerPoint
presentation guides anatomy students
through the process of making a simple
drawing of the brachial plexus. This
“mnemonic drawing” can help students
learn the basic parts of the brachial plexus
and serve as a first step in understanding
this clinically important nerve network.
Begin with a letter “Y”, an “I” and a “Y”.
Add a “strike” and a “spare” (bowling scorekeeping symbols)
Draw “arches”.
 Draw horizontal lines to separate the parts.
Roots

Trunks

Divisions

Cords

Branches
 Begin labeling.
C5 C6 C7 C8 T1
Roots

Trunks Upper Middle Lower

Divisions
Lateral

Medial
Cords
Posterio
r
Branches
SLOW

Musculocutaneous Axillary Median Radial Ulnar

Add details . . .
Branches off the posterior cord spell “ULTRA”
C5 C6 C7 C8 T1
Roots

Trunks Upper Middle Lower

Divisions
Lateral

Medial
Cords

Posterio
Upper subscapular
Lower subscapular
Thoracodorsal
r
Branches SLOW
SLOW

Musculocutaneous Axillary Median Radial Ulnar

“3M” comes off the medial cord.
C5 C6 C7 C8 T1
Roots

Trunks Upper Middle Lower

Divisions
Lateral

Cords
Posterio

Medial
Upper subscapular Medial pectoral n.
Lower subscapular Medial cutan. n. of arm
Thoracodorsal Medial cutan. n. forearm
r
Branches SLOW
SLOW

Musculocutaneous Axillary Median Radial Ulnar

The lateral pectoral n. comes off the lateral cord.
C5 C6 C7 C8 T1
Roots

Trunks Upper Middle Lower

Divisions

Posterio

Medial
Lateral

Cords Lateral pectoral n. Upper subscapular Medial pectoral n.

Lower subscapular Medial cutan. n. of arm
Thoracodorsal Medial cutan. n. forearm
r
Branches

Musculocutaneous Axillary Median Radial Ulnar

There are 4 supraclavicular branches.
C5 C6 C7 C8 T1
Roots
Dorsal Scapular n. Long
Thoracic n.

Trunks Upper N. to subclavius Middle Lower

Suprascapular n.

Divisions

Posterio
Lateral

Cords

Medial
Lateral pectoral n. Upper subscapular Medial pectoral n.
Lower subscapular Medial cutan. n. of arm
Thoracodorsal Medial cutan. n. forearm
r
Branches
SLOW

Musculocutaneous Axillary Median Radial Ulnar

That’s it! The Brachial Plexus
C5 C6 C7 C8 T1
Roots
Dorsal Scapular n. Long
Thoracic n.

Trunks Upper N. to subclavius Middle Lower

Suprascapular n.

Divisions

Posterio
Lateral

Cords

Medial
Lateral pectoral n. Upper subscapular Medial pectoral n.
Lower subscapular Medial cutan. n. of arm
Thoracodorsal Medial cutan. n. forearm
r
Branches

Musculocutaneous Axillary Median Radial Ulnar

The End