The Rare Five Finger Pectoralis Nerves: A Case Report

Authors

  • Adegbenro Omotuyi John Fakoya Department of Anatomical Sciences, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Michelanthony Lee Rosado-Velazquez Medical Student, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Kirthana Sugunathevan Medical Student, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Kai Anika Prophete Medical Student, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Surpreet Kaur Khunkhun Medical Student, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Emilio Aguinaldo Medical Student, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Abayomi Gbolahan Afolabi Department of Anatomical Sciences, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Thomas McCracken Department of Anatomical Sciences, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2020.4563

Keywords:

Lateral and medial pectoral nerves, Pectoral muscles, Brachial plexus variations, communicating branch, nerve to the communicating branch, modified radical mastectomy

Abstract

The brachial plexus is a complex network of nerve tissue in the human body that has been reported to vary from person to person. We describe a very rare variation of the brachial plexus found on a routine cadaveric dissection. On the left side of the chest, we identified two lateral pectoral nerves arising from the lateral cord and innervating the pectoralis major muscle; two medial pectoral nerves (MPNs) arising from the medial cord that innervates both pectoral muscles and a communicating branch that connects the lateral and MPN. In addition, this communicating branch had a nerve that innervated the pectoralis minor muscle. Knowing the variations of branching of the pectoral nerves is critical when performing any medical procedure in the pectoral region, such as plastic breast reconstruction surgery after modified radical mastectomy in breast cancer, removal of the pectoral muscles, anesthetizing the brachial plexus, or axillary dissection.

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Published

2020-08-20

How to Cite

1.
Fakoya AOJ, Rosado-Velazquez ML, Sugunathevan K, Prophete KA, Khunkhun SK, Aguinaldo E, Afolabi AG, McCracken T. The Rare Five Finger Pectoralis Nerves: A Case Report. Open Access Maced J Med Sci [Internet]. 2020 Aug. 20 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];8(A):548-51. Available from: https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/4563

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