High origin of the third digital branch of the median nerve

During a routine cadaveric dissection, we came across an anatomical variation at the level of the right forearm of a 77-year-old Caucasian male cadaver. Proximal to the superior border of the flexor retinaculum, we observed the median nerve giving a separate branch. It was the third common palmar digital nerve running distally from the ulnar side of the median nerve and coursing through the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle. In the distal part of the palm, it was divided into two proper palmar digital nerves for the adjacent sides of middle and ring fingers. Keywords: carpal tunnel; entrapment neuropathy; median nerve variations; third common digital nerve