What is the peripheral nervous system?

Also known as: surgery for brachial plexus injury, peripheral nerve surgery.

The peripheral nervous system is composed of the nerves that exit and enter the brain and spinal cord to control the muscles of the body and provide sensory input to the brain. Unlike injury to the central nervous system (composed of the brain and spinal cord), injury to the peripheral nervous system (composed of the rest of the nerves in the body) can often heal itself or be repaired with surgery.

What is the brachial plexus?

The brachial plexus is a bundle/network of peripheral nerves located in the area of the neck and shoulder. The plexus, also known as a network, begins as 5 nerves in the neck, exiting the spinal cord and contributing to branches (peripheral nerves) that extend into the shoulder, arm, forearm and hand. These nerves supply the muscles of the upper extremity with signals that start in the brain, and carry sensory information from the upper extremity back to the brain.

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Reviewed by: Aaron J Berger, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM