Shoulder abduction is primarily mediated by which nerve roots and muscle?

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Multiple Choice

Shoulder abduction is primarily mediated by which nerve roots and muscle?

Explanation:
Shoulder abduction is driven most by the deltoid muscle, especially its middle fibers, once you move beyond the initial lift. The deltoid is innervated by the axillary nerve, which carries nerve roots from C5 and C6. The first ~15 degrees of abduction are done by the supraspinatus (also C5–C6), but the deltoid provides the bulk of the movement as you continue to raise the arm. So the combination of C5–C6 and the deltoid best explains the motor basis of shoulder abduction. The other options involve muscles and nerves that act on the elbow, wrist, or hand, not the primary shoulder abductor.

Shoulder abduction is driven most by the deltoid muscle, especially its middle fibers, once you move beyond the initial lift. The deltoid is innervated by the axillary nerve, which carries nerve roots from C5 and C6. The first ~15 degrees of abduction are done by the supraspinatus (also C5–C6), but the deltoid provides the bulk of the movement as you continue to raise the arm. So the combination of C5–C6 and the deltoid best explains the motor basis of shoulder abduction. The other options involve muscles and nerves that act on the elbow, wrist, or hand, not the primary shoulder abductor.

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