Regional Anesthesia Study Notes

Regional Anesthesia Study Notes

• Proficiency Challenge: The primary challenge in learning ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia is identifying the needle tip.

• Axillary Block Nerve Risk: The musculocutaneous nerve is the most commonly missed nerve during an axillary block.

• Axillary Nerve Impact: The axillary nerve is not affected by an axillary block.

• Diaphragmatic Paralysis: An interscalene brachial plexus approach can cause ipsilateral diaphragmatic paralysis.

• Ultrasound Frequency and Penetration: Lower frequency ultrasound is used to penetrate deeper tissues because it provides better penetration. Higher frequencies are unsuitable for deep tissues.

• Ultrasound Resolution and Depth: Deep tissues have less resolution on ultrasound images due to sound wave scattering.

• Hypoechoic Nerve Trunks: Nerve trunks appear hypoechoic (darker) on ultrasound images in proximal areas due to increased water content.

• Sciatic Nerve Branches: The tibial and common peroneal nerves are branches of the sciatic nerve that bifurcate at the posterior knee.

• Brachial Plexus Roots (Interscalene): During an interscalene block, the roots of the brachial plexus are visualized.

• Brachial Plexus Trunks (Supraclavicular): The trunks of the brachial plexus are visible during a supraclavicular block.

• Brachial Plexus Cords (Infraclavicular): During an infraclavicular block, the cords of the brachial plexus are visualized.

• Brachial Plexus Branches (Axillary): Branches of the brachial plexus are visualized during an axillary block.

• Sciatic Nerve Roots: The sciatic nerve is formed by the merging of L4, L5, S1, S2, and S3 nerve roots.

• Brachial Plexus Roots: The brachial plexus is composed of nerve roots C5 to T1.

• Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Roots: The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is derived from the L2 and L3 nerve roots.

• Femoral Nerve Roots: The femoral nerve is comprised of the L2, L3, and L4 nerve roots.

• Axillary Nerve Function: The axillary nerve supplies sensation to the lateral shoulder and provides motor function to the deltoid and teres minor muscles.

• Musculocutaneous Nerve Function: The musculocutaneous nerve is responsible for elbow flexion and sensation to the lateral forearm.

• Medial Brachial Cutaneous Nerve Function: The medial brachial cutaneous nerve provides sensory innervation to the medial forearm.

• Ulnar Nerve Function: The ulnar nerve provides sensation to the medial one and a half fingers and participates in the intrinsic hand muscle functions (except the thenar muscles). It's also associated with thumb opposition and flexion.

• Radial Nerve Function: The radial nerve controls wrist and finger extension, and provides sensory innervation to the dorsum of the hand on the radial side.

• Femoral Nerve Function: The femoral nerve provides motor function to the quadriceps muscle and sensory innervation to the anterior thigh and medial leg.

• Obturator Nerve Function: The obturator nerve is responsible for hip adduction, and it provides sensory innervation to the medial thigh.

• Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Function: The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve does not have motor functions but provides sensory innervation to the lateral thigh.

• Tibial Nerve Function: The tibial nerve is responsible for foot plantar flexion. It provides sensory innervation to the foot's plantar surface.

• Common Peroneal Nerve Function: The common peroneal nerve is associated with dorsiflexion of the foot, and it provides innervation to the lateral portions of the foot and posterior calf.

• Sural Nerve Function: The sural nerve provides sensory innervation to the lateral foot and posterior calf.

• Other Important Nerves and Functions: Detailed information on other nerves and their specific functions to aid in studies.