A cadaveric study of ulnar nerve innervation of the medial head of triceps brachii. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • The presence of a separately innervated muscle unit of the triceps may have possible surgical importance and can be used for motor reconstructions. The ulnar nerve is closely situated to the triceps muscle and rarely examined above the elbow. The aim of this cadaveric study was to explore a possible contribution of the ulnar nerve to motor innervation of the medial head of the triceps. We dissected 18 limbs from axillae to midforearm. The path of the ulnar nerve was followed, and examination was conducted of attachments to the triceps. Gross photographs were taken and samples histologically stained. Seventeen limbs had ulnar nerve branches proximal to the epicondyles that inserted on the medial head. Eleven of these branches were from the ulnar nerve trunk. The other six were nerve branches from the ulnar collateral branch of the radial nerve. The ulnar nerve and the ulnar collateral branch of the radial nerve are previously unrecognized sources of innervation of the medial head of the triceps brachii. These motor branches must be carefully preserved during the medial surgical approach above the elbow. The ulnar innervated part of the medial head of the triceps muscle may be used like an independent motor unit.

publication date

  • October 11, 2008

Research

keywords

  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures
  • Reconstructive Surgical Procedures
  • Ulnar Nerve

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC2600974

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 58249090323

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s11999-008-0535-6

PubMed ID

  • 18850256

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 467

issue

  • 1