Spinal Nerve Plexuses

by Greg Crowther

This musical mnemonic helps students remember which spinal nerves contribute to which nerve plexuses. In summary, while there is some variation among individuals, the human cervical plexus generally includes contributions from spinal nerves C₁ through C₅, the brachial plexus covers C₅ through T₁, the lumbar plexus covers T₁₂ through L₄, and the sacral plexus covers L₄ through S₄. A simple melody has been constructed out of the nerve numbers, with number 1 corresponding to the bottom note of the scale ("do"), number 4 corresponding to the fourth note of the scale ("fa"), number 5 corresponding to the fifth note of the scale ("sol"), and number 12 being moved down an octave so that it too is sung as the fifth note of the scale ("sol").

One, five! Five, one!
Twelve, four! Four, four!
One, five! Five, one!
Twelve, four! Four, four!

C₁, C₅! C₅, T₁!
T₁₂, L₄! L₄, S₄!
C₁, C₅! C₅, T₁!
T₁₂, L₄! L₄, S₄!

Cervical plexus! Brachial plexus!
Lumbar plexus! Sacral plexus!
Cervical plexus! Brachial plexus!
Lumbar plexus! Sacral plexus!
Amen!

• karaoke

• sheet music (with melody play-back)