In a diving accident that severed the spinal cord below the sixth cervical veebra, which of the following muscle would be affected?
**Core Concept**
The spinal cord's anatomy is crucial in understanding the innervation of various muscles. The spinal cord is divided into cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal regions, each controlling specific muscle groups. The sixth cervical vertebra (C6) marks a significant landmark in the cervical region, as it supplies innervation to the upper limb.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
In a diving accident that severed the spinal cord below C6, the muscles innervated by the cervical nerves below C6 would be affected. The biceps brachii muscle is primarily innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C7), which originates from the C5-C7 nerve roots. Since the injury occurs below C6, the biceps brachii muscle would be spared. However, the triceps brachii muscle is primarily innervated by the radial nerve (C6-T1), which originates from the C6-T1 nerve roots. Therefore, the triceps brachii muscle would be affected in this scenario.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** The biceps brachii muscle would not be affected, as it is primarily innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C7), which originates from the C5-C7 nerve roots above the level of injury.
**Option C:** The deltoid muscle is primarily innervated by the axillary nerve (C5-C6), which originates from the C5-C6 nerve roots. Therefore, it would not be significantly affected in this scenario.
**Option D:** The supraspinatus muscle is primarily innervated by the suprascapular nerve (C5-C6), which originates from the C5-C6 nerve roots. Therefore, it would not be significantly affected in this scenario.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The C6 nerve root is a critical landmark in the cervical spine, as it supplies innervation to the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles. Injury to the C6 nerve root can result in weakness of elbow flexion and supination.
**Correct Answer:** C. Triceps brachii.