Characteristics of the Formation of Variants of the Anatomy of the Radial Nerve at the Shoulder

Abstract

Topographical anatomical studies were performed using 20 adult human cadavers (nine men and 11 women) aged 39–76 years embalmed with 10% formalin solution. The study showed that in 25% of cases, formation of the radial nerve involved, apart from the posterior bundle, fibers of the medial and lateral bundles of the brachial plexus. This leads to changes in the composition of fibers in the trunk of the radial nerve and in most cases affected the appearance of atypical branches and anastomoses with other trunks of the brachial plexus. The architectonics of the radial nerve in the area of the shoulder were quite variable. The nerve could be made up of a single main or two daughter trunks of equal caliber, which could be accompanied over distances of up to 12 cm by 1–5 previously formed branches. Sites of branching from the main trunk were significantly different, which is evidence for marked individual structural peculiarities.