An Experimental Study Of The Functional Anatomy Of The Brachial Plexus Nerve Root

Part one: Certral and dorsal root ganglion location of peripheral nerves and main muscles in ratsObjective: To study the representative peripheral nerves and muscles of C5-T1 nerve roots of the brachial plexus in the rat, to provide sound nerves and muscles for determining limb function after related nerve root division.Material and method: Forty rats weighing between 150 and 200g were randomly divided into ten groups of four each. The spinal centre and corresponding dorsal root ganglion location of the axillary, musculocutaneous, radial, median, and ulnar nerves of the rat was investigated respectively in the former five groups using the retrograde horseradish peroxidase(HRP) method. The spinal centre location of the deltoid, the biceps, the extensor digitorum communis, the flexor digitorum profundus and intrinsical muscles of the anterior paw was studied with the same method in the latter five groups. HRP of combined pattern(7μl)was injected under the epineurium of the nerve, and in the muscle by multiple points. After survival for 4 days, the C4-T2 spinal cord and corresponding dorsal root ganglions were taken and consecutive frozen sections were made. The number of HRP-labelled cells of spinal anterior horn and dorsal root ganglions were counted with the use of biological microscope.