Definition of Klumpke palsy Klumpke palsy: A form of brachial
plexus palsy in which there is paralysis of the muscles of the
forearm and hand due to an injury to the roots of eigth cervical
and first thoracic roots or the lower part of the brachial
plexus, a network of spinal nerves that originates in the back
of the neck, extends through the axilla (armpit), and gives rise
to nerves to the upper limb. The brachial plexus is formed by
the union of portions of the fifth through eighth cervical
nerves and the first thoracic nerve, all of which come from the
spinal cord. Last Editorial Review: 6/14/2012 Back to MedTerms
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