Brachial plexus

Organization and role

Fibers reorganize into trunks, divisions and cords before forming terminal nerves. A plexus lesion may therefore affect several peripheral nerve territories at once.

Clinical relevance and investigation

Trauma, compression or inflammation may cause plexopathy. Examination, electrodiagnostic testing and targeted imaging distinguish it from cervical radiculopathy.

Points to consider

A root, plexus and peripheral nerve are different levels of the nervous system. Limb pain alone cannot distinguish them. The distribution of sensory changes, weakness and altered reflexes helps localize a problem.

Role of TAGMED care

At TAGMED, assessment aims to understand symptoms, history and functional limitations. Manual care and osteopathy, motorized spinal decompression, laser and shockwave have different indications. The term described in this entry is not enough to select any of these modalities. Their relevance, limitations and possible contraindications should be discussed in relation to diagnosis and individual goals.

Related concepts and distinctions

These concepts belong to the same field, but are not synonyms.

• Cervical plexus — Network formed mainly by the C1–C4 ventral rami, contributing to sensory and motor innervation of the neck region.
• Lumbar plexus — Nerve network formed mainly by L1–L4 ventral rami in the psoas region, supplying areas including the thigh.
• Ventral ramus of the spinal nerve — Anterior mixed branch of a spinal nerve supplying the anterolateral trunk and limbs, directly or through nerve plexuses.

Medical references

1. OpenStax, Rice University. Anatomy and Physiology 2e — The Peripheral Nervous System.
2. Radiological Society of North America. RadLex Radiology Lexicon — terminology resource.

References document the topic; their inclusion does not imply endorsement of TAGMED services by those organizations.