Brachial plexus injury arm, lack of muscle control in the arm, hand, or wrist, and lack of feeling or sensation in the arm or hand. Although several mechanisms account for brachial plexus injuries, the most common is nerve compression or stretch. Infants, in particular, may suffer brachial plexus injuries during delivery and these present with typical patterns of weakness, depending on which portion of the brachial plexus is involved. The most severe form of injury is nerve root avulsion, which usually accompanies high-velocity impacts that commonly occur during motor-vehicle collisions or bicycle accidents. Based on the location of the nerve damage, brachial plexus
Perforating branches of internal thoracic artery Perforating branches of internal thoracic artery The perforating branches of the internal thoracic artery pierce through the internal intercostal muscles of the superior six intercostal spaces. These small arteries run with the anterior cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves. The perforating arteries constitute part of the blood supply to the pectoralis major and the overlying tissue and skin. The second, third and fourth perforating branches give off medial mammary branches, which become enlarged during lactation. Chung, Kyung Wong, Ph.D. "Board Review Series: Gross Anatomy, 3rd ed. 114-115. Williams and Wilkins: 1995." Lockhart, R.D., et al. "Anatomy of the Human Body."