Brachial plexus block

Brachial Plexus Block

The Brachial Plexus Block (pronounced: bray-key-al plek-sus blok) is a type of anesthesia used primarily in surgery of the upper extremity. It involves the injection of a local anesthetic near the brachial plexus, a network of nerves that conducts signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand.

Etymology

The term "brachial" is derived from the Greek word "brachion," which means arm. "Plexus" comes from the Latin word for braid, referring to the network of nerves. "Block" in this context refers to the blocking of nerve signals.

Procedure

The procedure is performed by a anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist. The patient is positioned, and the skin over the injection site is cleaned and numbed. A needle is then inserted, often with the guidance of an ultrasound machine, until it is near the brachial plexus. The anesthetic is then injected, which blocks the nerve signals and numbs the area.

Related Terms

• Anesthesia
• Brachial Plexus
• Nerve Block
• Ultrasound
• Anesthesiologist
• Nurse Anesthetist

See Also

• Epidural Anesthesia
• Spinal Anesthesia
• Local Anesthesia

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Brachial plexus block
• Wikipedia's article - Brachial plexus block

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