Brachial Plexus and Point of Anesthetic Block in Choloepus didactylus
neuroanatomy; real sloth; Xenarthra; morphology
The real sloth (Choloepus didactylus) is an arboreal mammal, with solitary and nocturnal habits. The brachial plexus is a complex network of nerve fusions and divisions that originate from the thoracic and cervical nerve roots. The study will address the macroscopic description of the brachial plexus in this species with the identification of points for anesthetic block. Six corpses of Choloepus didactylus had their forelimbs dissected until the brachial plexus was exposed, and later points for anesthetic block were located. In general, in the formation of the brachial plexus, all animals had the participation of C5 – T1, and some of them also had the participation of C4 and T2, from the branches emerged three trunks, these joined to form the common trunk. The main nerves of real sloth are: suprascapular nerve, subscapularis, axillary, radial, median, musculocutaneous, caudal cutaneous of forearm, medial cutaneous of forearm, ulnar, and thoracodorsal. In the brachial plexus block technique, Four accesses were made: supraclavicular, infraclavicular, axillary and distal. The results obtained in the study may be used in comparative anatomy and serve as literature for performing clinical procedures, surgical and anesthetics that may use the species in question.