Biomaterial Database

Possible anatomic structures causing entrapment neuropathies of the median nerve: an anatomic study. 2005

Burak Bilecenoglu, and Aysun Uz, and Nazim Karalezli

Department of Anatomy, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. bbilecenoglu@yahoo.com

This study aimed at identifying the anatomic structures which may be responsible for entrapment neuropathies of the median nerve. Thirty upper extremities of 15 formalin fixed adult cadavers were dissected from the axilla to the distal forearm under Zeiss Opmi 9--FC microscope. We encountered seven different anatomic structures that may compress the median nerve. These structures are the brachialis muscle, Struther's ligament, the bicipital aponeurosis, pronator teres, flexor digitorum superficialis, the accessory head of plexor pollicis longus (Gantzer's muscle) and vascular structures. The supracondylar process, which we did not encounter in our dissection, has been reported as another cause. Based on our dissection findings and on literature, the median nerve can be compressed by seven different structures from the axilla to the distal forearm. Knowledge of the course of the median nerve and its relations with the adjacent anatomic structures facilitates determination of the exact cause of entrapment and allows for a safe surgery.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008475	Median Nerve	A major nerve of the upper extremity. In humans, the fibers of the median nerve originate in the lower cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord (usually C6 to T1), travel via the brachial plexus, and supply sensory and motor innervation to parts of the forearm and hand.	Median Nerves,Nerve, Median,Nerves, Median
D002349	Carpal Tunnel Syndrome	Entrapment of the MEDIAN NERVE in the carpal tunnel, which is formed by the flexor retinaculum and the CARPAL BONES. This syndrome may be associated with repetitive occupational trauma (CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDERS); wrist injuries; AMYLOID NEUROPATHIES; rheumatoid arthritis (see ARTHRITIS, RHEUMATOID); ACROMEGALY; PREGNANCY; and other conditions. Symptoms include burning pain and paresthesias involving the ventral surface of the hand and fingers which may radiate proximally. Impairment of sensation in the distribution of the median nerve and thenar muscle atrophy may occur. (Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1995, Ch51, p45)	Compression Neuropathy, Carpal Tunnel,Entrapment Neuropathy, Carpal Tunnel,Amyotrophy, Thenar, Of Carpal Origin,Median Neuropathy, Carpal Tunnel,Carpal Tunnel Syndromes,Syndrome, Carpal Tunnel,Syndromes, Carpal Tunnel
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D020423	Median Neuropathy	Disease involving the median nerve, from its origin at the BRACHIAL PLEXUS to its termination in the hand. Clinical features include weakness of wrist and finger flexion, forearm pronation, thenar abduction, and loss of sensation over the lateral palm, first three fingers, and radial half of the ring finger. Common sites of injury include the elbow, where the nerve passes through the two heads of the pronator teres muscle (pronator syndrome) and in the carpal tunnel (CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME).	Median Nerve Diseases,Medial Neuropathy, Distal,Median Mononeuropathy,Median Nerve Entrapment,Median Nerve Entrapment Neuropathy,Median Nerve Neuralgia,Median Nerve Neuropathy,Median Neuropathy, Proximal,Neuropathy, Median,Distal Medial Neuropathies,Distal Medial Neuropathy,Entrapment, Median Nerve,Median Mononeuropathies,Median Nerve Disease,Median Nerve Entrapments,Median Nerve Neuralgias,Median Nerve Neuropathies,Median Neuropathies,Mononeuropathy, Median,Nerve Disease, Median,Nerve Entrapment, Median,Nerve Neuropathy, Median,Neuralgia, Median Nerve,Neuropathy, Distal Medial,Neuropathy, Median Nerve,Neuropathy, Proximal Median,Proximal Median Neuropathies,Proximal Median Neuropathy