Posterior branch of medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve
Ramus posterior nervi cutanei medialis antebrachii
- Synonym: Posterior branch of medial cutaneous nerve of forearm
- Related terms: Posterior branch; Posterior branch (Medial cutaneous nerve of forearm); Medial cutaneous nerve of forearm: Posterior branch
Definition
The posterior branch of medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve (a.k.a. posterior branch of the medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm) originates from the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve just above the medial epicondyle of the humerus. The posterior branch gives off 10 to 12 secondary branches, which provide cutaneous innervation to the extensor (posterior) aspect of the skin of the medial surface of the forearm, all the way down to the wrist region.
Please note that the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve comes off from the medial cord of brachial plexus. It has cell bodies situated in C8 and T1 spinal segments. The nerve initially descends in the arm but then penetrates the deep fascia of the arm along with the basilic vein, proximal to medial epicondyle of humerus. It is here that the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve divides into anterior and posterior branches.
References
Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 7: Upper Limb’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 706.
Ballard, T. and Smith, T. Anatomy, Medial Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve. [Updated 2022 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551638/
