ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the anatomic relationships of the posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerve (PABCN) to anatomic landmarks on the lateral side of the elbow. METHODS: The PABCN was explored in 30 cadaveric upper extremities. Distances were noted from easily identifiable structures including the lateral epicondyle, the lateral intermuscular septum, and the radial nerve. RESULTS: The path of the PABCN follows the spiral groove initially, diverging as the radial nerve pierces the lateral intermuscular septum. The PABCN emerges from the posterior compartment through a hiatus in the deep fascia at a mean of 6.6 cm proximal to the lateral epicondyle and passes a mean of 2.1 cm anterior to the lateral epicondyle. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomic relationships determined in this study should enable the surgeon to avoid injuring the PABCN when performing surgery in the lateral elbow region.
