The palmar branch of the median nerve is a branch of the
median nerve which arises at the
distal
Standard anatomical terms of location are used to unambiguously describe the anatomy of animals, including humans. The terms, typically derived from Latin or Greek roots, describe something in its standard anatomical position. This position pro ...
part of the
forearm.
Branches
It pierces the
palmar carpal ligament, and divides into a lateral and a medial branch;
* The ''lateral branch'' supplies the skin over the ball of the
thumb
The thumb is the first digit of the hand, next to the index finger. When a person is standing in the medical anatomical position (where the palm is facing to the front), the thumb is the outermost digit. The Medical Latin English noun for thumb ...
, and communicates with the volar branch of the
lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve
The lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (or lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm) (branch of musculocutaneous nerve, also sometimes spelled "antebrachial") passes behind the cephalic vein, and divides, opposite the elbow-joint, into a volar and a ...
.
* The ''medial branch'' supplies the skin of the
palm and communicates with the
palmar cutaneous branch of the ulnar
The palmar branch of the ulnar nerve arises about five cm proximal to the wrist from where the ulnar nerve splits into palmar and dorsal branches. It supplies sensory innervation to a small area in the palmar surface of the wrist.
The palmar bran ...
.
Clinical significance
Unlike most of the median nerve innervation of the hand, the palmar branch travels superficial to the
Flexor retinaculum of the hand. Therefore, this portion of the median nerve usually remains functioning during
carpal tunnel syndrome.
Additional images
File:Gray812and814.PNG, Diagram of segmental distribution of the cutaneous nerves of the right upper extremity.
References
* http://nervesurgery.wustl.edu/NerveImages/Anatomy%20and%20Physiology/AP-Median-Nerve---IMG_3299.jpg
Nerves of the upper limb
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