Medial Cutaneous Nerve of Axilla-A Rare Cutaneous Branch of Medial Cord of Brachial Plexus

Abstract

Precise anatomical knowledge of brachial plexus formation, its branching pattern and the possible variations are extremely important for effective brachial plexus blockade while performing upper limb procedures. Though anomalies of brachial plexus are well documented in the medical literature, this case report documents a unique cutaneous branch of the medial cord of brachial plexus which was found innervating the superior part of the medial wall of the axilla and hence was named as the Medial cutaneous nerve of axilla. Variations in the dermatomal pattern of the human body are extremely rare. In this report we document a variant dermatomal distribution of the medial wall of axilla coming from the C8 and T1 spinal segments in the form of the medial cutaneous nerve of axilla. Cutaneous innervation of the upper limb and the axillary walls is of utmost importance in raising cutaneous flaps during reconstructive oncogenic surgeries.

Keywords

• brachial plexus
• medial cord
• flap reconstruction
• dermatome
• axilla