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Nerve‐Muscle Perforation Variations in the Upper Limb: A Review with a Description of Three New Variants
Author(s) -
Miller Joseph M.A.,
Trelease Robert
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.1046.4
Subject(s) - biceps , medicine , anatomy , musculocutaneous nerve , perforation , upper limb , brachialis , cadaveric spasm , radial nerve , surgery , materials science , metallurgy , punching
Muscle perforation by somatic nerves is well known in the body. In the upper limb, three such muscle perforations are classically described: the coracobrachialis perforated by the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN), the pectoralis minor perforated by the medial pectoral nerve, and the supinator perforated by the deep radial nerve. It is less well recognized that there are other muscle perforation variations in the upper limb. This study reviews known muscle perforation variations of the upper limb by somatic nerves and introduces three new observed variants. Bergman et al. (1988) catalog the following four muscle perforation variations: pectoralis minor perforated by the lateral pectoral nerve, the coracobrachialis perforated by the lateral cord, the short head of the biceps perforated by the MCN, and the brachialis perforated by the MCN. As a result of our own cadaveric studies, we discovered the following variations: 1) a third head of the biceps perforated by the MCN, 2) long head of the biceps perforated by the MCN, and 3) pronator teres perforated by the median nerve. These variations are of intrinsic anatomical interest. Clinically, they expand the possible etiologies of compression/entrapment syndromes encountered in the upper limb. Support or Funding Information We wish to thank the UCLA Donated Body Program and our donors who gifted their remains for scientific research.