Study of communication between musculocutaneous and median nerves in man

Abstract Introduction The median and musculocutaneous nerves are functionally most important terminal branches of brachial plexus. Injuries involving median or musculocutaneous nerve proximal to the anastomotic branch may give rise to unexpected presentation of weakness of forearm flexor and thenar muscles or present as double nerve injury. This inspired us to study the exact topography of communication between median nerve and musculocutaneous nerve and to discuss its morphological and clinical significance. Methods The study was conducted in 50 cadavers (100 upper limbs) in duration of two and a half years. Proper cadaveric dissection was done during 2010–2013 in the department of Anatomy, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, and also in department of Anatomy Mahatma Gandhi Aurvadic Medical College, Sawangi, Wardha. Result Present series, studied musculocutaneous and median nerves in 50 cadavers (100 upper limbs) to evaluate the communication between these two nerves. In 42% cadavers (2-bilateral and 19 –unilateral) communicating branch was present, mostly single and distal to coracobrachialis muscle. More than one communicating branch was observed in 4% cadavers. Discussion The incidence of communication between musculocutaneous and median nerve is quite high (42%). Previous studies carried out in different countries and ethnicities showed abnormal communication between these two nerves ranged from 6–68%.Lesions of communicating nerve may give rise to pattern of weakness that may impose difficulty in diagnosis. So it is important to have awareness of these variations that are observed and discussed in present study.