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radial nerve

Origin: - posterior cord of brachial plexus (C5-C8) - carries fibers from all roots of the plexus Branches: 1) superficial cutaneous branch 2) deep motor branch Efferents: 1) muscles involving supination of forearm - triceps, brachioradialis 2) extensors of the elbow, wrist, thumbs & fingers Afferents: - skin overlying innervated muscles (efferents) - sensory innervation to dorsum of hand Pathology: Injury: radial nerve palsy 1) axilla [1] & fractures of the middle 1/3 of humerus [2] 2) results in "wrist drop" 3) sensory loss to dorsum of hand 4) resisted weakness in elbow & thumb extension Course: - curves around the posterior surface of the humerus & passes inferiorly to the cubital fossa where it divides into its two terminal branches

Related

radial nerve palsy; radial nerve entrapment; wrist drop; Saturday night palsy

General

peripheral nerve

References

  1. B. Ourmazdi, M.D. Synopsis of Neurology & Examination, B & B Books, Saratoga, CA, 1998
  2. Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999
  3. Neal S, Fields KB. Peripheral nerve entrapment and injury in the upper extremity Am Fam Physician. 2010 Jan 15;81(2):147-55. PMID: 20082510 Free article. Review.
  4. NEJM Knowledge+

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