The lateral cord is the part of the

brachial plexus The brachial plexus is a network () of nerves formed by the anterior rami of the lower four cervical nerves and first thoracic nerve ( C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1). This plexus extends from the spinal cord, through the cervicoaxillary canal in th ...

formed by the anterior divisions of the upper (C5-C6) and middle trunks (C7). Its name comes from it being lateral to the

axillary artery In human anatomy, the axillary artery is a large blood vessel that conveys oxygenated blood to the lateral aspect of the thorax, the axilla (armpit) and the upper limb. Its origin is at the lateral margin of the first rib, before which it is ...

as it passes through the

axilla The axilla (also, armpit, underarm or oxter) is the area on the human body directly under the shoulder joint. It includes the axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle between the arm and the thoracic cage, bounded superior ...

. The other cords of the brachial plexus are the

posterior cord The posterior cord is a part of the brachial plexus The brachial plexus is a network () of nerves formed by the anterior rami of the lower four cervical nerves and first thoracic nerve ( C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1). This plexus extends from the ...

and

medial cord The medial cord is the part of the brachial plexus formed by of the anterior division of the lower trunk (C8-T1). Its name comes from it being medial to the axillary artery as it passes through the axilla. The other cords of the brachial plexus ar ...

. The lateral cord gives rise to the following nerves from proximal to distal: *

lateral pectoral nerve The lateral pectoral nerve (also known as the lateral anterior thoracic nerve) arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, and through it from the C5-7. It passes across the axillary artery and vein, pierces the clavipectoral (coracoc ...

(C5-C7) *

musculocutaneous nerve The musculocutaneous nerve arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, opposite the lower border of the pectoralis major, its fibers being derived from C5, C6 and C7. Structure The musculocutaneous nerve arises from the lateral cord ...

(C5-C7) *lateral head of

median nerve The median nerve is a nerve in humans and other animals in the upper limb. It is one of the five main nerves originating from the brachial plexus. The median nerve originates from the lateral and medial cords of the brachial plexus, and has contr ...

(C5-C7) [other part of median nerve comes from

]

Additional images

File:Slide10EEEE.JPG, Lateral cord File:Slide1cord.JPG, Brachial plexus.Deep dissection. Nerves of the upper limb {{neuroanatomy-stub