Study of muscular branch of median nerve to the pronator teres

Abstract

Abstract Background and aims : Disorders of the peripheral nervous system are common among which entrapment neuropathies are frequently encountered by the clinician. The knowledge of innervation pattern of median nerve to pronator teres are of considerable importance in understanding the various presentations of pronator teres syndrome, in investigating the lesions of median nerve, to plan adequate treatment and to avoid iatrogenic injuries during surgeries there by increasing the perfection of surgical approach. The aim of present study is to study the point of origin of muscular branches of median nerve to pronator teres muscle with respect to interepicondylar line and to study the number of branches of median nerve to the pronator teres muscle. Materials and methods : Fifty upper limbs procured from embalmed cadavers aged about 20 to 50 years were used for the study. Results : Out of total 50 specimens, nerve to pronator teres was arising at a mean distance of 1.31 ± 0.58 cm proximal to the interepicondylar line (range 0.5 - 3cm) and 1.2 ± 1.27 cm distal to the interepicondylar line (0-3.5cm). Conclusion: In greater number of the specimens, the nerve to the pronator teres was arising from the median nerve proximal to the interepicondylar line. In majority of the specimens the pronator teres was innervated by either single branch or two branches.