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Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 3/2010

01-03-2010 | Original Article

Anatomy and landmarks for branches of the brachial plexus: a vade mecum

Authors: R. Shane Tubbs, Virginia L. Jones, Marios Loukas, Ayhan Cömert, Mohammadali M. Shoja, John C. Wellons III, Aaron A. Cohen-Gadol

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 3/2010

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Abstract

Exploration and repair of the brachial plexus and its branches demands a good comprehension of its intricate anatomy. To this end, landmarks for identifying this anatomy may prove useful to the clinician and surgeon. As such, a specific collection is lacking in the literature. Therefore, the following review of salient surgical anatomy and regional landmarks of the brachial plexus and its branches is provided. Our hopes are that these data will be useful during clinical and surgical procedures of these regions and act as a single, concise source for such information.
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Metadata
Title
Anatomy and landmarks for branches of the brachial plexus: a vade mecum
Authors
R. Shane Tubbs
Virginia L. Jones
Marios Loukas
Ayhan Cömert
Mohammadali M. Shoja
John C. Wellons III
Aaron A. Cohen-Gadol
Publication date
01-03-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-010-0620-x

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