Median nerve

Nervus medianus

Formed from the lateral and medial cords of the brachial plexus (C5-T1). It descends through the arm without giving branches, passes through the cubital fossa, runs between the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus in the forearm, and enters the hand through the carpal tunnel.

Tipo Nerve
Sistema corporal Nervous
Región corporal Forearm
Estructura principal arm nerve
Nombre latino Nervus medianus
FMA ID 14385

Función

Provides motor innervation to most flexors of the forearm and thenar muscles of the hand. Provides sensory innervation to the lateral palm and palmar surface of the lateral three and a half digits.

Significado clínico

Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve at the wrist, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness. Anterior interosseous syndrome affects motor function. Pronator teres syndrome compresses the nerve proximally. The hand of benediction occurs with high median nerve lesions.

Preguntas frecuentes

What does the median nerve control?
The median nerve provides motor innervation to most of the flexor muscles of the forearm and several intrinsic hand muscles, particularly those of the thenar eminence (thumb muscles). Sensory supply covers the palmar surface of the thumb, index, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger, making it essential for fine pinch grip and sensation.
Where does the median nerve travel?
The median nerve forms from medial and lateral cords of the brachial plexus (C6–T1) in the axilla. It descends through the medial arm without branching, enters the forearm between heads of the pronator teres, travels deep to the flexor digitorum superficialis, and enters the hand through the carpal tunnel beneath the flexor retinaculum.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment disorder, caused by compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel of the wrist. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, and pain in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, often worse at night. Severe cases lead to thenar muscle wasting. Treatment includes splinting, corticosteroid injections, or surgical decompression.

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Educational Disclaimer

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Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.