Anastomosis Between Ulnar And Radial Nerve: A Cadaveric Study

Abstract

Background: Brachial plexus variations are not rare. Variations in its terminal branches in the arm or forearm are frequently reported. Communications between branches of the brachial plexus are also not uncommon findings; however there is very little mention of communication between the radial and ulnar nerves in the literature. In view of this significance is performed this study with the purpose to determine any communications of radial nerve with neighboring peripheral nerves at level of axilla, arm, forearm.
 Methods and Findings: A total of 17 cadavers with different age groups were used for this study. The upper limbs region (34 sides) were dissected carefully and photographed in the Morphology Laboratory at the University of Pamplona. Of the 34 upper limbs studied 33 showed normal morphology, the course and branching patterns of the nerves was normal (97.06%). In 1 specimen in the left forearm (2.94%), the radial and ulnar nerves were dissected and communicating branches were observed originating near the upper third in the posterior aspect of the forearm traveling from the ulnar to the radial nerve. The communicating branch was approximately 5.84 cm long and 1.73 mm in diameter. This anastomotic branch is an unusual anastomosis, no described in the literature between radial and ulnar nerve in forearm. Knowledge on the variant pattern of peripheral nerves is imperative not only for the surgeons, but also for the radiologists during image technology and MRI interpretations and for the anesthesiologists before administering anesthetic agents thus in diagnostic approaches. 
 Conclusions: Lack of understanding of these variations can also confound the assessment of the severity of nerve injury as well as recovery. Awareness of such anatomical variations is very important in order to proper diagnosis of sensorimotor symptoms.

Variations of Ulnar Nerve in the Forearm and Hand: A Review of the Literature and Clinical Significance

“…2 The connection occurred unilaterally in 17 specimens (7.8%). Moreover, on the left side the RN-UN connection was found in 8 cases (3.7%), [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] and the UN-RN in 2 cases (0.9%), 9,10 respectively. On the right side, a RN-UN connection occurred in 7 specimens (3.2%), [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] and no UN-RN connection was observed.…”

Fusion of the Median and Musculocutaneous Nerves Masquerading as Biceps' Innervation from the Median Nerve

“…13,14 Also, aberrant nerves' formation and the existence of communicating neural branches may alter the clinical manifestation of nerve lesions (such as trauma, entrapment, and compression) and lead to misdiagnoses. 5,7,10 Conflicts of Interest None declared.…”

“…1 The anatomy of the BP is quite complex, mainly due to its numerous variations, especially those including the exis-tence of communicating branches between BP nerves, for instance between the MN and MCN or the ulnar and radial nerves. 5 More specifically the variations of the MCN are quite common as it may pass beneath or even through the biceps rather than perforating the coracobrachialis muscle (CBM), as well as it may send a communicating branch to the MN. In this case study, we aim to describe in detail a relatively rare case of partial fusion of the MN and the MCN and highlight its potential clinical significance.…”

Anatomical Variation of a Communicating Branch between the Musculocutaneous and the Median Nerve: A Case Report

“…The anatomical variations of the brachial plexus and especially the existence of anastomotic branches between its nerves, for instance between the MN and MCN or even the ulnar and radial nerve are not rare (2). More specifically the variations of the MCN are quite common as it may pass beneath or even through the biceps rather than Case Presentation perforating the coracobrachialis, as well as it may send a communicating branch to the MN.…”