Brachial Plexus Variability in Selected South Africans: Laterality and Sex-Related Variations

This study investigated the variations of Brachial plexus in relation to sex and laterality among selected South Africa population.Sixteen embalmed bodies were dissected bilaterally, and the variations in the formation of BP regarding sex and laterality were documented.16 BP of equal sex shows variations while 16 BP exhibits classical pattern in the formation of BP accounting for 50 % each in this study.Bilateral union of superior trunk (ST) and middle trunk (MT) in female and incomplete formation of ST and MT on right side in male cadaver were noticed.Posterior cord (PC) was formed by the posterior division of the common trunk (CT) formed by C5, C6 and C7 roots in female (bilateral) and male (right side).Also, on the right side of a male cadaver, three anterior divisions from all the trunks collectively formed a lateral cord (LC).Moreover, LC loops around the second part of axillary artery from lateral to posteromedial in male cadaver on right side.In addition, LC gives a branch that joins anterior division of MT to form the lateral root of median nerve (MN) on left side in female cadaver.This finding shows that most of variations of BP in female are usually bilateral and on left side while variations in male are usually unilateral and on the right side in study population.This study suggests that variations of BP regarding sex and laterality exists, and adequate knowledge is required for proper diagnosis and surgical intervention in upper limb.