Intercostobrachial nerve
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherTemplate:Main otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". The intercostobrachial nerve is the name applied to the lateral cutaneous branch of the second intercostal nerve. It arises anterior to the long thoracic nerve. It provides sensory innervation to the skin of the axilla, and a variable region of the medial side of the upper arm.[1]
Anatomy
The lateral cutaneous branch of the second intercostal nerve does not divide like other intercostal nerves into an anterior and a posterior branch.
Course
It pierces the intercostalis externus muscle and the serratus anterior muscle, crosses the axilla to the medial side of the arm, and joins with a filament from the medial brachial cutaneous nerve. It then pierces the fascia, and supplies the skin of the upper half of the medial and posterior part of the arm, communicating with the posterior brachial cutaneous branch of the radial nerve.
Relations
The size of the intercostobrachial nerve is in inverse relationship to that of the medial brachial cutaneous nerve.
Variation
An additional intercostobrachial nerve is frequently given off from the lateral cutaneous branch of the third intercostal nerves; it supplies filaments to the axilla and medial side of the arm.
Clinical significance
It is often the source of referred cardiac pain.
The intercostobrachial nerve is sometimes divided in axillary node clearance (ANC), such as that done for breast cancer surgery which requires the removal of the axillary nodes. Sensation to the cutaneous region supplied by the nerve is affected.
See also
Additional images
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Cutaneous nerves of right upper extremity.
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Diagram of segmental distribution of the cutaneous nerves of the right upper extremity.
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Innervation
References
Template:Reflist Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from Template:Wikidatathe 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918) Template:Main other
External links
- Anatomy photo:05:st-0505 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Axillary Region: Nerves"
- Template:KansasHandKinesiology
Template:Nerves Template:Portal bar Template:Authority control
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