The spelling of "nervus axillaris" may seem daunting, but it is not as complicated as it looks. The first part of the word, "nervus," is easy enough to spell phonetically: /ˈnərvəs/. The second part, "axillaris," is a bit more tricky, but can be broken down phonetically as well: /ækˈsɪlərɪs/. This term refers to a nerve that innervates the shoulder joint and upper arm. While it may take some practice to master the spelling and pronunciation, it is a term commonly used in medical conversations.
Nervus axillaris, also known as the axillary nerve, is a major peripheral nerve in the human body that originates from the brachial plexus. It is one of the five nerves that emerge from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus, which is a network of nerves responsible for innervating the upper limbs. The nervus axillaris specifically arises from the posterior cord's posterior division.
The nervus axillaris courses through the axilla, or the armpit region, which is where it gets its name. It travels alongside the axillary artery and divides into several branches that innervate various muscles and areas of the shoulder joint.
Despite being a relatively short nerve, it plays a crucial role in motor innervation and sensory perception of the shoulder region. The motor branches of the nervus axillaris supply the deltoid muscle, which is responsible for arm abduction, and the teres minor muscle, which assists in lateral rotation of the arm. Additionally, the nervus axillaris provides sensory innervation to the skin over the shoulder joint and the upper part of the arm through its cutaneous braches.
Injuries to the nervus axillaris can occur due to trauma, prolonged pressure, or nerve compression. These injuries can result in weakness or paralysis of the affected muscles, limiting arm movement and causing discomfort or pain in the shoulder region. Rehabilitation and targeted exercises are often employed to aid in nerve recovery and restore functionality to the affected area.
Axillary nerve, circumflex nerve, arises from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus in the axilla, passes downward and outward with the posterior circumflex artery, and winds round the surgical neck of the humerus supplying the deltoid and teres minor muscles.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "nervus axillaris" has its etymology rooted in Latin.
- "Nervus" is a Latin noun meaning "nerve". It can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *snerw-os, which means "sinew" or "nerve".
- "Axillaris" is derived from the Latin word "axilla", which refers to the armpit. It comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *aks-, meaning "axis" or "axle".
Therefore, "nervus axillaris" can be translated as the "nerve of the armpit". It is a nerve that originates from the brachial plexus and travels through the armpit region, providing innervation to certain muscles in the upper arm.