Communication between median and musculocutaneous nerves in the forearm hooking around the origin of the median artery: a rare variation

Anat Sci Int. 2011 Sep;86(3):175-7. doi: 10.1007/s12565-011-0105-y. Epub 2011 Mar 31.

Abstract

Variations of the musculocutaneous and median nerves at the level of axilla and arm are well described in the literature. We encountered a rare variation during dissection in undergraduate medical classes. The left arm of a 55-year-old male cadaver showed a communicating nerve arising from the musculocutaneous nerve 10.6 cm above the cubital fossa. This nerve joined the median nerve 4.6 cm distal to the elbow joint in the forearm after winding around a persistent median artery arising from the ulnar artery. Such communication between musculocutaneous and median nerves in the forearm is a very rare finding.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Forearm / blood supply*
  • Forearm / innervation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Median Nerve / abnormalities*
  • Middle Aged
  • Musculocutaneous Nerve / abnormalities*