Which of the following is NOT a major nerve of the brachial plexus?

Which of the following is NOT a major nerve of the brachial plexus?

• A. Musculocutaneous
• B. Axillary
• C. Median
• D. Chorda Tympani

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is which nerves arise from the brachial plexus versus from other cranial nerves. The brachial plexus gives rise to major nerves that supply the upper limb, including the musculocutaneous, axillary, median, radial, and ulnar nerves. The chorda tympani, however, is a branch of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) that carries taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and provides parasympathetic fibers to salivary glands; it does not contribute to the brachial plexus or to upper-limb innervation. Because of this, the chorda tympani is not a major nerve of the brachial plexus, making it the correct choice.

The key idea here is which nerves arise from the brachial plexus versus from other cranial nerves. The brachial plexus gives rise to major nerves that supply the upper limb, including the musculocutaneous, axillary, median, radial, and ulnar nerves. The chorda tympani, however, is a branch of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) that carries taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and provides parasympathetic fibers to salivary glands; it does not contribute to the brachial plexus or to upper-limb innervation. Because of this, the chorda tympani is not a major nerve of the brachial plexus, making it the correct choice.