Anatomical study of the origin and area of innervation that form the brachial plexus of monkey-nail (Sapajus libidinosus)

Abstract

We studied, and herein describe, the anatomy of the brachial plexus in the Sapajus libidinosus, a New World primate species. The study of origin and distribution of the nerves that form the brachial plexus of primates contributes to the body of knowledge of veterinary functional anatomy, and can have important ramifications to clinical, surgical, and anesthetic procedures, as well as to the understanding of injuries in these species. We found that the brachial plexus of Sapajus libidinosus is composed of neural fibers originating from the union of the dorsal and ventral roots of the cervical vertebral segments C5 to C8 and thoracic T1. These fibers then are organized in four main trunks, with a subdivision in the middle trunk. We concluded that the origins, trajectories and territory of innervation of the nerve trunks of the brachial plexus of Sapajus libidinosus are similar to those of other primates, with some variations occurring in the course.