Abstract:
The brachial plexus is usually formed by the fusion of anterior primary rami
of the fifth to eighth cervical and the first thoracic spinal nerves. Variations in the formation
of the brachial plexus may occur. Variations in brachial plexus anatomy are important to
radiologists, surgeons and anaesthesiologists performing surgical procedures in the neck,
axilla and upper limb regions. These variations may lead to deviation from the expected dermatome
distribution as well as differences in the motor innervation of muscles of the upper
limb. This study is aimed to describe the anatomical variations of brachial plexus in its formation
among 20 Ethiopian cadavers.
Methods:: Observational based study was conducted by using 20 cadavers obtained from
the Department of Human Anatomy at University of Gondar, Bahir Dar, Addis Ababa,
Hawasa, Hayat Medical College and St Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College. Data
analysis was conducted using thematic approaches.
Results:: A total of 20 cadavers examined bilaterally for the formation of brachial plexus.
Of the 40 sides, 30 sides (75%) were found normal, seven sides (17.5%) prefixed,
three sides (7.5%) postfixed and one side of the cadaver lacks cord formation.
Conclusion:: The brachial plexus formation in most subjects is found to be normal. Among
the variants, the numbers of the prefixed brachial plexuses are greater than the postfixed
brachial plexuses.
