title: Gross anatomy of the brachial plexus sheath in human cadavers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Major nerves and vessels run alongside each other in a "neurovascular bundle" kept together by connective tissue that is often referred to by anatomists, surgeons, and anesthesiologists as the "sheath." Our goal was to macroscopically demonstrate the brachial plexus sheath in embalmed and fresh cadaver dissections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic dissections were performed on 11 embalmed cadavers (6 females and 5 males), plus one fresh, unembalmed male cadaver. Dissections were started in the arm, and progressed proximally to the axilla and the supraclavicular area. Notes and photographic documentation were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A sheath around the neurovascular bundle of the brachial plexus was visible to the naked eye in every dissection. The sheath had a fibrous external appearance, and was filled with loose connective tissue. No evidence of septa was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed a macroscopic fibrous structure surrounding the plexus, which was filled with loose connective tissue lacking any apparent organization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois, USA. carlofra@aol.com
authors.forename: Carlo D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Abed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Gennadiy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Voronov
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kerns
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Chester C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Buckenmaier
mesh_terms: D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002102:Cadaver; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male