One interesting that that I learned this week was the importance of the axillary nerves, in particular the Thoracodorsal nerve, which is important for the upper appendicular limbs. This week I went to the local hospital to observe a patient with damaged thoracordorsal nerve.
The surgery in the inferior part of the axillaputs the thoracodorsal nerve (of the C6-C8) supplying the latissimus dorsi at risk of injury (and this is what happened to the patient). This nerve passes inferiorly along the posterior wall of the axilla and enters the medial surface of the latissimus dori close to twhere it becomes tendinous. This nerve is also vulnerable to inury during surgery on scapular lymph nodes because its terminal part lies anterior to them and the subscapular artery.
With paralysis of the latissimus dorsi, which happens if there is a direct injury to the Thoracodorsal nerve; thereby denervating the muscle, the person is unable to raise the trunk with the upper limbs; as occurs during climbing. Furthermore, the person will be unable to use an axillary crutch because the shoulder is pushed superiorly by it.
Additionally, from observation of the patient and from looking at other cases; the thoracodorsal nerve, can also be injured by punching or applying direct force onto the area of the armpit; thereby not only putting risk of damaging the subclavian nerve, as well as the intercostobrachial nerve; and corresponding arteries.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=15028.0
