Musculocutaneous Nerve
| |
| Musculocutaneous Nerve | |
|---|---|
| Nerve Type | Mixed nerve |
| Origin | lateral cord of the brachial plexus |
| Sensory innervation | The lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm |
| Motor innervation | Coracobrachialis, Biceps Brachii, and Brachialis |
The musculocutaneous nerve is a mixed nerve that originates from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, primarily receiving fibers from the C5, C6, and C7 spinal nerves.
Origin and Course
The musculocutaneous nerve arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus. It typically pierces the coracobrachialis muscle and then travels between the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles, eventually continuing as the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm.
Branches
- Motor branches: These innervate the coracobrachialis, biceps brachii, and brachialis muscles. Variations in the branching patterns are common, with the nerve often providing one or two branches to the biceps brachii and one branch to the brachialis.
- Sensory branch: The lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm, which provides sensory innervation to the lateral aspect of the forearm.
Sensory Innervation
The lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm, a continuation of the musculocutaneous nerve, supplies the skin on the lateral side of the forearm.
Motor Innervation
The musculocutaneous nerve innervates the coracobrachialis, biceps brachii, and brachialis muscles, which are involved in flexion of the elbow and supination of the forearm.
