Palmar branch of the median nerve

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Palmar branch of the median nerve
Nerves of the left upper extremity.
Superficial palmar nerves.
Details
Frommedian nerve
Identifiers
Latinramus palmaris nervi mediani
TA98A14.2.03.036
TA26462
FMA44836
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The palmar branch of the median nerve is a branch of the

distal part of the forearm
.

Branches

It pierces the palmar carpal ligament, and divides into a lateral and a medial branch;

  • The lateral branch supplies the skin over the ball of the
    lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve
    .
  • The medial branch supplies the skin of the
    palmar cutaneous branch of the ulnar
    .

Clinical significance

Unlike most of the median nerve innervation of the hand, the palmar branch travels superficial to the Flexor retinaculum of the hand. Therefore, this portion of the median nerve usually remains functioning during carpal tunnel syndrome.[1]

Additional images

  • Diagram of segmental distribution of the cutaneous nerves of the right upper extremity.
    Diagram of segmental distribution of the cutaneous nerves of the right upper extremity.

References

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 938 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)