A quantitative analysis of variability in brachial plexus anatomy

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Human Anatomy
• Nerve Anatomy

Background:

• The brachial plexus is a complex network of nerves crucial for upper limb function.
• Understanding its anatomical variations is vital for surgical procedures and neurological assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively analyze and compare the lengths of individual nerve segments within the human brachial plexus.
• To investigate potential differences in brachial plexus segment lengths between genders and between the left and right sides of the body.

Main Methods:

• Bilateral dissection of 20 human cadavers, resulting in 40 brachial plexus specimens for analysis.
• Precise measurement of individual brachial plexus nerve segments, followed by statistical analysis (Student's t-test) of collected data.
• Documentation and evaluation of anatomical variations, including extra lateral heads (ELHs) of the median nerve.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in the lengths of the medial, lateral, and posterior cords were observed between males and females, with males exhibiting longer segments.
• Three specific segments (anterior division of superior trunk, anterior division of middle trunk, posterior division of inferior trunk) were found to be longer in females on average.
• Significant bilateral differences in segment lengths were noted within individual cadavers.
• Extra lateral heads (ELHs) to the median nerve were present in 50% of specimens, with bilateral and gender-based variations.

Conclusions:

• Brachial plexus nerve segment lengths exhibit significant variability influenced by gender and side.
• Observed anatomical variations, particularly concerning nerve cord lengths and ELHs, are critical for anatomists and clinicians.
• This data underscores the importance of considering individual anatomical differences in surgical planning and neurological diagnosis involving the brachial plexus.