A Study on the Communications of Median Nerve with Musculocutaneous and Ulnar Nerves

Objective: Communications of median nerve with other nerves of upper limb are commonly reported and this prompted us to conduct the study. In depth study was done on the communications of median nerve with the musculocutaneous nerve and the different types were classified. Also, communications between the superficial branches of median and ulnar nerves were also studied in palm. Materials and methods: Sixty four upper limbs were dissected. The different types of communication of the median nerve with the musculocutaneous nerve and its relation to coracobrachialis were studied after a median incision along the anterior aspect of the upper limb. The communicating branch between the superficial digital branches of the median and ulnar nerves was studied in detail. Results: Communications between median and musculocutaneous nerves were seen in 15 of the 64 specimens dissected. The communication between superficial branches of median and ulnar nerve was seen in 10 palms. Conclusion: Communications between median and musculocutaneous nerves were observed as follows: 6.66% were proximal to coracobrachialis, 73.33% were distal and in 20% of the specimens neither the musculocutaneous nerve nor the communicating branch pierced the muscle. To know the different lesions of median nerve and their level of lesion, the different communications and their incidences are of utmost importance. The communication between superficial branches of median and ulnar nerves in the right and left sided palms were four (12.5%) and six respectively (18.75%).