Radial & Ulnar Nerves
Objectives
• At the end of the lecture, students should be
able to:
• Describe the anatomy of the radial & ulnar
nerves regarding: origin, course &
distribution.
• List the branches of the nerves.
• Describe the causes and manifestations of
nerve injury.
Radial Nerve
Origin:
• Posterior cord of the
brachial plexus in the
axilla (the largest
branch)
Supplies:
• All Muscles of the
posterior
compartment of the
arm & fore arm
Course In the Arm
• It winds around the back of
the arm in the Spiral Groove
on the back of the humerus
between the heads of the
triceps.
• In the spiral groove, the
nerve is accompanied by
the Profunda Vessels, and it
lies directly in contact with
the shaft of the humerus
(Dangerous Position).
Course In the Forearm
• It pierces the Lateral
Intermuscular septum
• Descends in front of the
Lateral Epicondyle
• runs forward into the
Cubital Fossa
• Divides into Superficial
& Deep branches.
Branches: Arising In The Axilla
Cutaneous:
• Posterior
cutaneous nerve
of arm.
Muscular to:
• Long & Medial
Heads of Triceps.
Branches: Arising In The Spiral Groove
Cutaneous:
1. Lower lateral
cutaneous nerve of
arm.
2. Posterior cutaneous
nerve of forearm.
Muscular to:
1. Lateral & Medial
heads of triceps.
2. Anconeus.
Branches: Arising Close to Lateral Epicondyle
Muscular to:
1. Brachioradialis.
2. Extensor carpi radialis
longus.
3. Brachialis.
Articular to: Elbow joint
SUPERFICIAL BRANCH
Superficial OF RADIAL
Branch
NERVE
• It descends under cover of
Brachioradialis
• Lies lateral to radial
artery.
• Emerges beneath the
brachioradialis tendon.
• Reaches the posterior
surface of the wrist, where
it divides into terminal
branches
Distribution of Superficial Branch
• It is PURELY SENSORY
nerve and supplies the
skin on:
• The lateral 2/3 of
the posterior surface
of the hand &
• The posterior surface
over the proximal The area of skin supplied by
phalanges of the the nerve on the dorsum of
lateral 3 1/2 fingers. the hand is variable.
Deep Branch
• It winds around the neck of the
radius, within the supinator
muscle, and enters the posterior
compartment of the forearm.
• It is PURELY MOTOR nerve and
supplies the extensor muscles in
the posterior compartment of the
forearm.
• Extensor carpi radialis brevis.
• Extensor carpi ulnaris.
• Supinator.
• Abductor pollicis longus.
• Extensor pollicis brevis.
• Extensor pollicis longus.
• Extensor indicis.
Summary of Branches of Radial Nerve
Radial Nerve Injuries
In the Axilla:
The nerve can be injured by a drunkard falling
asleep with one arm over the back of a chair,
also by fractures and dislocations of the
proximal end of the humerus.
The triceps, the anconeus, and the long
extensors of the wrist are paralyzed.
The patient is unable to extend the elbow & the
wrist joints, and the fingers (Wrist Drop)
In the Spiral Groove:
Injury or fracture of the spiral groove of the humerus, the
patient is unable to extend the wrist and the fingers (Wrist
Drop).
Injury to the Superficial Branch of the Radial Nerve
Injury like a stab wound,
results in a variable small
area of anesthesia over the
dorsum of the hand and
lateral three and half fingers
up to the base of their
proximal phalanges.
Injury to the Deep Branch of the Radial Nerve
• It can be damaged in fractures
of the proximal end of the
radius or during dislocation of
the radial head.
• The nerve that supply the
supinator and the extensor
carpi radialis longus will be
undamaged, and because the
latter muscle is powerful, it will
keep the wrist joint extended,
• There is No wrist drop
• There is No sensory loss
Ulnar Nerve
Origin:
• Medial cord of Brachial
Plexus.
Course in the ARM:
• Descends along the medial
side of the
axillary/brachial arteries:
• Pierces the Medial
Intermuscular Septum.
• Passes Behind the Medial
Epicondyle of the humerus.
Course In the Forearm
• Enters the anterior
compartment through the
flex carpi ulnaris.
• Descends:
• Behind the Flexor Carpi
Ulnaris.
• Medial to Ulnar Artery.
Course At the Wrist
• Passes:
• Anterior to Flexor
Retinaculum.
• Lateral to Pisiform bone.
• Medial to Ulnar artery.
• Divides into:
• Superficial & Deep
branches
Branches
It gives No branches in the arm
In the Forearm:
Muscular to 1 & 1/2 muscles:
1. Flexor Carpi Ulnaris.
2. Medial 1l2 of Flexor Digitorum Profundus.
Articular to Elbow joint.
Cutaneous:
1. Dorsal (posterior) cutaneous: Supplies the skin
over the back of Medial side of the hand &
Medial 1+1/2 fingers
2. Palmar cutaneous: Supplies the skin over the
Medial part of the palm.
Branches of Superficial Terminal Branch
1. Muscular: Palmaris Brevis.
2. Cutaneous: Skin over the Palmar
aspect of the medial 1+ ½ fingers
(including nail beds).
Branches of Deep Terminal Branch
Muscular branches to:
1. Hypothenar Eminence.
2. All Interossei (Palmar &
Dorsal).
3. 3rd & 4th Lumbricals.
4. Adductor pollicis.
Articular: To Carpal joints.
Summary of branches of Ulnar Nerve
Ulnar Nerve Injury
At the Elbow:
• Atrophy of Ulnar side of
forearm.
• Flexion of the wrist with
Abduction.
• Claw hand.
• Wasting of Hypothenar
Eminence.
At the wrist:
• Claw Hand.
• Wasting of Hypothenar
Eminence.
Lesion of the ulnar nerve at the wrist:
• Medial Two Lumbricals: Flexes the MCP
(metacarpophalangeal joints) of the little and Lesion of the ulnar nerve at the elbow.
ring fingers.Extends the IP (interphalangeal • In addition to the muscles of the hand,
joints) of the little and ring fingers
these muscles are paralysed:
• Interossei: Abduct and adduct the fingers
• Medial half of Flexor Digitorum
• Hypothenar Muscles: Flex, adduct, and Profundus: Flexes the IP joints of the ring
oppose the little finger and little fingers
• Adductor Pollicis: Adducts the thumb • Flexor Carpi Ulnaris: Flexes and adducts
• The key set of muscles that are paralysed are the wrist
the lumbricals. There is now a loss of flexion • The ulnar claw will develop as before,
at the MCP joint and a loss of extension at
but with one key difference. The flexor
the IP joints.
digitorum profundus is paralysed, and
• This results in the ulnar claw:
there will not be any flexion of the ring
• the MCP joints are hyperextended by
and little fingers.
unopposed extension from the extensor
digitorum, and the • Now the ulnar claw only consists of
• IP joints are flexed by unopposed flexion hyperextension at the MCP joints, giving
from the flexor digitorum profundus. a less evident claw hand.
• This only occurs in the little and ring fingers
as the lateral two lumbricals are innervated
by the median nerve.
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