Concurrent Variations in the Formation of Lateral Cord and Median Nerve of Brachial Plexus

Lateral cord and median nerve are associated with variations. We observed concurrent variations in the formation of lateral cord and median nerve in thirty two formalin fixed cadavers. In 29.6% upper limbs Lateral cord was formed by anterior division of upper trunk only. In 21.8% of these cases the anterior division of middle trunk formed two additional roots for the median nerve and in 7.8% cases anterior division of middle trunk joined with medial root of median nerve. In 14% upper limbs the upper trunk was not formed and the lateral cord was formed by union of anterior division of C5, C6 and C7 roots. In 6.2% of such cases where upper trunk was not formed, the median nerve received an additional root from lateral cord. We believe that prior knowledge of such anatomical variations is of interest to the anatomist and clinician alike. Surgeons who perform procedures involving neoplasms or repairing trauma need to be aware of these variations.