Which nerve roots contribute to the axillary nerve?

Study for the Muscle Actions and Functions – Anatomy and Movement Test. Equip yourself with multiple choice questions, each with detailed explanations and hints. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which nerve roots contribute to the axillary nerve?

Explanation:
The important idea is how nerve roots map to a peripheral nerve. The axillary nerve comes from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus and carries fibers specifically from the C5 and C6 spinal nerve roots. These roots travel together to form the axillary nerve, which innervates the deltoid and teres minor and provides sensation over the lateral shoulder. That makes C5-C6 the correct root range. If this nerve is affected, you’d expect weakness of shoulder abduction (deltoid) and sensory loss over the lateral shoulder. The other root ranges don’t match the actual contributors to the axillary nerve.

The important idea is how nerve roots map to a peripheral nerve. The axillary nerve comes from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus and carries fibers specifically from the C5 and C6 spinal nerve roots. These roots travel together to form the axillary nerve, which innervates the deltoid and teres minor and provides sensation over the lateral shoulder. That makes C5-C6 the correct root range. If this nerve is affected, you’d expect weakness of shoulder abduction (deltoid) and sensory loss over the lateral shoulder. The other root ranges don’t match the actual contributors to the axillary nerve.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy