Accomplishments
Study of anastomosis between the musculocutaneous nerve and the median nerve
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Aim : To study an anastomosis between the musculocutaneous nerve and the median nerve. Materials and Methods : 100 upper limbs of 50 donated embalmed cadavers (45 males & 5 females) of age group ranging from 70 to 80 years were studied in the department of Anatomy at K. J. Somaiya Medical College, Sion, Mumbai, INDIA, an anastomosis between the median nerve and the musculocutaneous nerve were observed. The finding was noted after thorough and meticulous dissection of the upper limbs of both sides (axilla, arm, forearm and palm). The arterial pattern in the arm (axillary and brachial arteries) was also observed. The photographs of the anastomosis were taken for proper documentation. Observations : Out of 100 specimens the variations in the anastomosis between the median nerve and the musculocutaneous nerve were found in 30 specimens i.e. 30% of the total specimens. Out of 30 specimens, 4 specimens showed the median nerve getting the communicating branch from the musculocutaneous nerve, 6 specimens showed the formation of the median nerve by medial and lateral roots in the middle of the arm; 12 specimens showed that the musculocutaneous nerve traveled some distance with the median nerve and then it got separated from the median nerve, the remaining 8 specimens showed that all the muscles of the front of the arm were supplied by the median nerve. The musculocutaneous nerve was absent. There was no associated arterial variations seen in any of the specimens. Conclusion : The presence of such type of variations are clinically important for surgeons, orthopaedicians and anaesthetist performing pain management therapies on the upper limb. These variations are compared with the earlier data & it is concluded that variations in branching pattern of cords of brachial plexus are a rule rather than exception.