Variation in the formation, communication and distribution of median nerve: a cadaveric study

Abstract

Introduction: The median nerve is formed by the union of lateral and medial root from the lateral and medial cords of brachial plexus respectively. Anatomical variations of the median nerve are very common. Reports on the existence of variations in the formation, branching and communication of median nerve are seen in the literature. Materials and Methods: The study was carried in the department of anatomy during undergraduate training on 20 formalin preserved adult cadavers which included 14 males and 6 females. In each cadaver the opposite upper limb was also dissected completely to exclude bilateral abnormality. Photographs of abnormalities were taken for proper documentation of the variations. Observations and Results: Unilateral anatomical variations of median nerve were observed in four cadavers. There was normal pattern of formation and course of median nerve in rest of the cadavers. Conclusion: Anatomical variations of median nerve are of great academic and clinical significance in orthopedics, surgery, anaesthesiology, sports medicine and physiotherapy. An attempt has been made to add the information of present study to the existing knowledge in the literature.