A 20-year-old man complained that he was unable to raise his right upper limb. He held it limply at his side with his forearm and hand pronated. During questioning by the physician, he stated that he had been thrown from his motorcycle approximately 2 weeks previously and that he had hit his shoulder against a tree. He also recalled that his neck felt sore shortly after the accident. Physical Examination: On examination it was found that the patient was unable to flex, abduct, or laterally rotate his arm. In addition, he lost flexion of the elbow joint. A lack of sensation was detected on the lateral surface of his arm and forearm. The physician requested radiographs of the cervical and pectoral girdle regions. Radiology Report: No fractures are seen in the cervical region, pectoral girdle, and proximal part of the humerus. Diagnosis: Injury of nerves derived from the brachial plexus. Using your anatomical knowledge of the nerve supply to the upper limb, discuss the probable cause of this patient’s loss of motor and sensory functions.
A 20-year-old man complained that he was unable to raise his right upper limb. He held it limply at his side with his forearm and hand pronated. During questioning by the physician, he stated that he had been thrown from his motorcycle approximately 2 weeks previously and that he had hit his shoulder against a tree. He also recalled that his neck felt sore shortly after the accident.
Physical Examination: On examination it was found that the patient was unable to flex, abduct, or laterally rotate his arm. In addition, he lost flexion of the elbow joint. A lack of sensation was detected on the lateral surface of his arm and forearm. The physician requested radiographs of the cervical and pectoral girdle regions.
Radiology Report: No fractures are seen in the cervical region, pectoral girdle, and proximal part of the humerus.
Diagnosis: Injury of nerves derived from the brachial plexus.
Using your anatomical knowledge of the nerve supply to the upper limb, discuss the probable cause of this patient’s loss of motor and sensory functions.
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