A patient with a lesion of the medial cord of the brachial plexus would show which specific combination of deficits?

• A Loss of all intrinsic hand muscles with preserved flexor digitorum superficialis
• B Wrist drop with sensory loss over dorsal forearm
• C Combined ulnar nerve and medial head of median nerve features: all intrinsic hand muscles + flexor digitorum profundus (medial) + palmar sensation ✓
• D Loss of biceps and coracobrachialis function

Explanation

The medial cord of the brachial plexus gives rise to the ulnar nerve and the medial root of the median nerve. A medial cord lesion thus combines features of ulnar nerve palsy (all intrinsic hand muscles: interossei, hypothenar, medial two lumbricals) and medial head of median nerve palsy (flexor digitorum profundus to ring and little fingers, flexor carpi ulnaris). Additionally, the medial cutaneous nerves of arm and forearm arise from the medial cord, providing sensory input. The lateral cord gives musculocutaneous and lateral root of median nerve; the posterior cord gives radial and axillary nerves.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.