Axillary nerve supplies-
The axillary nerve splits into two branches. The anterior branch goes to the deltoid muscle, and the posterior branch goes to the teres minor. The deltoid is a major muscle for shoulder abduction, and the teres minor is one of the rotator cuff muscles, helping in external rotation. So the correct answer should include both these muscles. Let me check the options again. The options weren't listed, so I need to think of common distractors. Common mistakes might confuse the axillary nerve with the radial or musculocutaneous nerve. For example, the radial nerve innervates the triceps, and the musculocutaneous goes to the biceps brachii and brachialis. The suprascapular nerve goes to the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. So if the options include these, they would be incorrect. The axillary nerve also provides sensory innervation to the skin over the lower part of the deltoid via the superior lateral cutaneous nerve. But the question is about motor supply. So the key muscles are deltoid and teres minor. Therefore, the correct answer is the option that lists both these muscles. The clinical pearl here is that injury to the axillary nerve can lead to a flattened deltoid and weakness in shoulder abduction, often seen in shoulder dislocations. The high-yield fact is remembering the C5-C6 origin and the muscles supplied.
**Core Concept**
The axillary nerve (C5-C6) is a terminal branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. It innervates two key muscles and provides sensory supply to the shoulder.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The axillary nerve divides into two branches:
1. **Anterior branch**: Supplies the **deltoid muscle**, enabling shoulder abduction.
2. **Posterior branch**: Supplies the **teres minor muscle**, a rotator cuff muscle involved in external rotation of the humerus.
Damage to this nerve (e.g., in shoulder dislocation) causes weakness in abduction and a "flat shoulder" due to deltoid atrophy.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** If listing *biceps brachii* or *brachialis* β these are supplied by the musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C7).
**Option B:** If listing *triceps brachii* β this is innervated by the radial nerve (C6-C8).
**Option C:** If listing *supraspinatus* or *infraspinatus* β these are supplied by the suprascapular nerve (C5-C6).
**Option D:** If listing *subscapularis* β this is innervated by the subscapular nerves (C5-C6).
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Axillary nerve injury often occurs with anterior shoulder dislocation