Brachial Plexus Roots Mnemonic
Remembers the components of the brachial plexus in order: Roots, Trunks, Divisions, Cords, Branches. The brachial plexus innervates the upper limb, and understanding its organization is crucial for localizing nerve injuries.
The Mnemonic
"Rugby Teams Drink Cold Beer"
Breakdown
Roots
C5-T1 nerve roots from spinal cord
Trunks
Superior (C5-6), Middle (C7), Inferior (C8-T1)
Divisions
Each trunk splits into anterior and posterior divisions
Cords
Lateral, Posterior, Medial (named by position to axillary artery)
Branches
Terminal nerves: musculocutaneous, median, ulnar, radial, axillary
Clinical Relevance
Erb-Duchenne palsy (C5-6) causes "waiter's tip" position. Klumpke palsy (C8-T1) affects hand. Understanding plexus anatomy helps localize injuries from trauma, traction, or tumors.
Study Tips
- ✓Draw the plexus repeatedly until automatic
- ✓Remember C5-6-7 for lateral cord, C8-T1 for medial cord
- ✓Posterior cord from all three posterior divisions
- ✓Trace each terminal nerve back to its roots for clinical correlation
FAQs
Common questions about this mnemonic
The cords are named by their relationship to the axillary artery: lateral cord is lateral, medial cord is medial, and posterior cord is posterior to the artery.
Precise localization of injury (root vs trunk vs cord vs branch) determines prognosis and treatment. For example, root avulsions have poor prognosis while distal injuries may recover spontaneously.