Motor branching patterns of the ulnar nerve in the forearms of fetal cadavers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the branches of the ulnar nerve given to forearm muscles [flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) and flexor digitorum profundus (FDP)] and typing of ulnar nerve according to distribution of these branches to the muscles. From the collection of Anatomy Department Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, 116 upper limbs of fetuses showing no external anomaly and aging between 12th and 40th weeks of pregnancy, were included in this study for anatomical dissection. Parameters about the branching of fetal ulnar nerve were set as follows: branch/branches to FCU muscle and branch/branches to FDP muscle. Ulnar nerve was typed according to number, sequence, and distribution of motor branches of ulnar nerve. As a result of this typing, eight type branching model of ulnar nerve was confirmed. Our study is critically important for implementing successful surgical interventions and minimizing complications especially in ulnar nerve and forearm muscles surgery also in nerve replacement on this area.