A Rare Variant Formation Of The Median Nerve: A Case Report

Abstract

Variations in the formation of median nerve are common but this case report is the rare variation of formation of the median nerve posterior to the third part of axillary artery. During educational dissection of undergraduate students of the academic year 2007-2008 in our department of anatomy, the two roots of the median nerve joined behind the axillary artery to form the median nerve, which coursed behind the brachial artery and then crossed to the medial part of cubital fossa. The lateral root passed between the axillary artery and anterior circumflex humeral artery to course to the back to join the medial root of median nerve. This variation may be clinically important because symptoms of median nerve compression arising from similar variations are often confused with more common causes such as radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome.