Scarred Brachial Plexus Dog: Brachial Plexus Memory Aid

This is the easiest way for me to draw the brachial plexus. :o3

I made this diagram to easily remember the brachial plexus. It's also good in remembering some of the conditions due to brachial plexus lesions. The brachial plexus dog is based in First Aid from the USMLE Step 1 2014 (Le, Vikas & Sochat, 2014).

You will notice that brachial plexus in 2D is quite symmetrical, except for the part in the anterior division where it converges to lateral cord. So I got the idea of a scarred dog to easily remember that part. (The scar is drawn using a red pen.)

Here is how the brachial plexus dog works:

Click the image to enlarge

Compare your own brachial plexus dog with Netter's Illustration

Other details:

In naming the root, trunk, division, cord and branches, just be guided by the change in the number of the group nerves. Just count the nerve groups from top to down.

• It starts with 5 roots (ear part). (C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1)
• On the eye part, the 5 group of nerves changed to 3 groups (eye part). trunk (superior, middle, inferior)
• right eye - Waiter's tip - superior
• middle
• left eye - Claw hand - inferior
• After 3 groups, it changed to 6 groups (scar part). division (3 anterior, 3 posterior)
• The nerves converging to the nose is the posterior division.  
• From 6 groups, it went back to 3 groups (nose part). cord 
• nose = posterior cord
• scar above = lateral cord (latigo, lateral ;) )
• medial cord
• This will not work for the branches part anymore. Anyway, it's a must-know that the axillary nerve, the radial nerve, the musculocutaneous nerve, the median nerve and the ulnar nerve are the five terminal branches. 

Some use mnemonics to remember the group of nerves. First Aid suggests "Randy Travis Drinks Cold Beer". You can make your own. Hmn.. like "Red Tadpoles Decay Corpse Brutally", haha or "Rotten Trees Dead Corpse Bulate", hahaha. What I use is just thinking that the brachial plexus starts with roots because... because... brachial plexus will start from.. the nerve roots! Where else?! Then like a tree, it starts from the roots then the trunk. At the end of the tree, there are the branches. DC separated the branch from the trunk.. DC = disconnected, hahaha. Lol. Just use whatever works for you. :D 

This is the poster I made which I put in my room to keep myself familiarized with the brachial plexus.

Leave a comment if you see any mistakes. Thanks. :D



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One of the most scarring part of my medical school is when I was asked to discuss Brachial Plexus in front of consultants, residents, medical interns and clerks. I was chosen by my groupmates to do the job because they thought that I am good with making powerpoint presentations. I do powerpoints, but I rarely present it so it was a bit scary. I tried to study it well, made a very simple powerpoint and prepared a 3D program so I can explain brachial plexus clearly.

But when I started speaking, a consultant told me to stop using Tagalog words OR I should just choose on whether speaking straight Tagalog or straight English. Of course, there is no direct translation for very specific anatomical parts in Tagalog, I had no choice but to speak in English. I told the consultant that I stutter when I speak in English and that I can't express my thoughts clearly in English. And then consultant said, "How will you present your research paper in the international setting if you can't speak English?"

It was very embarrassing. I felt so humiliated. I felt somewhat harassed. I felt that my knowledge on the topic was measured by my ability to speak in English... which I couldn't do well.

PFff. Being in the University of the Philippines, I was disappointed with the consultant. We were not in a communication class. Everyone understands my Taglish. I prepared to do a report which will make everyone understand and remember brachial plexus, not to practice my English-speaking skills. I was not presenting a research paper. I was trying to teach a concept! The university has always promoted the use of the mother tongue to teach, so what's the problem?!?! Aah!! Pff. It's the culture of the medical people -_-. Old skOOl-hierarchy-based-I'm-superior-you're-stupid. And yes, I'm being irrational now. xD.

Anyway, it ended as a mess. I forgot many things. I was asked questions that I couldn't answer. I wasn't able to use the 3D anatomy program. I was stuttering. I was mispronouncing words. I didn't know what to say. Hahahaha. At least the entire report is now over, that is what's important. XD. I told myself that I should be able to publish a Tagalog research paper internationally someday. (I also myself that I should be good in speaking English to avoid that situation again next time. Hahaha.)

Sighs. Medschool. :P

I hope that my brachial plexus dog will save you from that kind of situation, lol. Enjoy.