The anterior branch of the axillary nerve wraps around the surgical neck of the humerus to supply the anterior and middle deltoid heads, while the posterior branch supplies the posterior deltoid and teres minor. The anterior branch is particularly vulnerable in anterior shoulder approaches and in glenohumeral dislocation.
The anterior axillary nerve branch is the most commonly injured component in shoulder dislocation, producing anterior deltoid weakness and the characteristic flattened anterior shoulder contour. EMG of the anterior deltoid specifically assesses the anterior branch territory. Anterior deltoid selective atrophy after shoulder dislocation may be missed when only the middle deltoid is clinically tested for abduction power.
Selective anterior deltoid wasting from anterior axillary nerve branch injury in shoulder dislocation or surgical trauma, producing loss of shoulder flexion power with preserved middle deltoid abduction function.
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