Median nerve: Course and Innervation


Origin: C5-T1

Course:

  1. Axilla: Starts in axilla
  2. Arm: Runs along with brachial artery - initially lateral to it and later medial to it
  3. Forearm: Enters the forearm between pronator teres and biceps tendon and then travels between Flexor digitorum superficialis and Flexor digitorum profundus
  4. Wrist: Just above wrist, the nerve lies between Flexor digitorum superficialis and Flexor carpi ulnaris
  5. Hand: Enters the hand via carpal tunnel

Motor innervation:

  1. Superficial forearm: Pronator teres, Flexor carpi radialis, Palmaris longus
  2. Intermediate forearm: Flexor digitorum superficialis
  3. Deep forearm: Flexor digitorum profundus, Flexor pollicis longus, Pronator quadratus
  4. Hand: 1st and 2nd lumbricals, Oppones pollicis, Abductor pollicis brevis, Flexor pollicis brevis

Sensory innervation:

  1. Palmar cutaneous branch: Lateral palm
  2. Digital cutaneous branch: Lateral 3 and 1/2 digits on the palmar side and fingertips on dorsal side
What do you see? What do you feel?
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