The course and branching pattern of the median nerve in the forearm [Median sinirin ön koldakiseyri ve dallanma şekilleri]

Results: In 6 of the 50 forearms (12%), the median nerve showed atypical course by sliding over the medial epicondyl. The terminal motor branches to the forearm muscles were formed very early before leaving the nerve trunk and could be followed macroscopically for long distances till the proximal sites. Individual variations of branching of these nerves were frequent and the most seen 6 variation patterns were existant in 33 of the 50 forearms. Martin Gruber anastomosis was detected in totally 6 forearms (12%); one cadaver bilaterally, onthe left side in one and on the right side in three forearms unilaterally.Conclusion: Complex motor functions specific to human hand are very important for functionality and life quality of the individual. Maintanance of these functions is an important issue in routine clinical practice mainly for practitionars in orthopedics, neurology and physical therapy and rehabilitation. The advance in medical technology needs more details than the classical contents of anatomy textbooks and detailed anatomical studies of the forearm and the median nerve maintain their importance.Objective: Determination of the course, distribution and branching patterns of the median nerve in forearm is aimed.Material and Method: Fifty forearms of 25 (23 male and 2 female) formaldehyde fixed cadavers were dissected and the cours and branching patterns of the median nerve were recorded. © 2014, Nobelmedicus. All rights reserved