VB
Vikas Bhardwaj
Medical Technologist, AIIMS New Delhi
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
**Core Concept**
The radial nerve is a major peripheral nerve that arises from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus and plays a crucial role in the innervation of the arm and forearm. It is a mixed nerve that contains both motor and sensory fibers.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The radial nerve indeed branches off from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus (C5-T1), making **Option 1** true. It is responsible for innervating the muscles of the extensor compartment of the forearm, including the extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, and extensor carpi radialis brevis, making **Option 2** true. The radial nerve also gives rise to the anterior interosseous nerve, which further divides into the recurrent motor branch and the palmar cutaneous branch, making **Option 4** true. Finally, the radial nerve provides cutaneous innervation to the skin of the extensor compartment of the forearm, making **Option 5** true.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option 3:** This option is incorrect because the radial nerve does not arise from C5-T1 alone; it is formed from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus, which receives contributions from C5-T1.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The radial nerve is also known as the "nerve of extension" due to its role in innervating the muscles responsible for elbow and wrist extension.
**Correct Answer: B. All the statements are true.**