Variations In The Formation Of The Median Nerve.

ABSTRACT

Background: Variations in the formation of median nerve can result in misinterpretation of clinical signs due to median nerve palsy and hence they are of great clinical significance. Thus this project was taken up to study these variations and also to measure the distance of the site of formation of the median nerve from the tip of the coracoid process of the scapula. Methodology: Ninety-eight formalin fixed upper limbs were used for the study (50 right, 48 left). The variations in the formation of the median nerve were noted. The level of formation of the median nerve was measured from the tip of the coracoid process of the scapula. Results: The median nerve was formed from an anterior cord of brachial plexus in two cases, both on the left side. Double lateral root of the median nerve was present in 4 specimens, 3 on the left side and 1 on the right side. Conclusion: Variations in the formation of median nerve have embryological basis and clinical significance and the distance of site of the union of two roots of the median nerve from the tip of the coracoid process will be helpful to surgeons to locate median nerve in surgeries around the shoulder.