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Deep palmar communications between the ulnar and median nerves
Author(s) -
Loukas Marios,
Bellary Sharath S.,
Tubbs R. Shane,
Shoja Mohammadali M.,
CohenGadol Aaron A.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
clinical anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1098-2353
pISSN - 0897-3806
DOI - 10.1002/ca.21093
Subject(s) - medicine , cadaveric spasm , cadaver , anatomy , anastomosis , ulnar nerve , dissection (medical) , median nerve , numerical digit , sensory system , surgery , neuroscience , elbow , arithmetic , mathematics , biology
Innervation of the hand is supplied via the radial, median, and ulnar nerves. A common border of sensory distribution between the ulnar and median nerves is along the fourth digit. However, this sensory distribution may be affected by communication between these two nerves. Among the known communications between the median and ulnar nerves, the deep anastomotic branch in the hand is the least described and rarely illustrated in the literature. This study aims to provide data on the prevalence of a deep communicating branch via cadaveric dissection. We examined 50 hands taken from 25 adult cadavers. Communicating branches were found in 16% of the hands examined, with rami occurring bilaterally in two specimens. By describing the origin and pathway of this communicating branch, we hope to provide surgeons and clinicians with knowledge that may help avoid iatrogenic injuries. Clin. Anat. 24:197–201, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.