What nerves branch off the posterior cord of the brachial plexus?

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The posterior cord of the brachial plexus gives rise to several important nerves that innervate muscles and provide sensory functions in the upper limb. This collection of nerves includes the subscapular nerves (upper and lower) that innervate parts of the shoulder, the thoracodorsal nerve which supplies the latissimus dorsi muscle, the axillary nerve responsible for innervating the deltoid and teres minor muscles, and the radial nerve which supplies the muscles of the posterior compartment of the arm and forearm.

The ulnar, median, and musculocutaneous nerves arise from the lateral and medial cords, not from the posterior cord, indicating that they do not belong to this particular grouping. Similarly, while the median and musculocutaneous nerves do have crucial roles in upper limb innervation, they do not branch from the posterior cord.

Thus, the correct option accurately reflects the nerves that are derived from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. Understanding the origins of these nerves is essential for grasping the complex anatomy and functional relationships within the upper limb, particularly in surgical contexts.

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