Proper palmar digital nerves of median nerve: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 02:47, 11 December 2024

The proper palmar digital nerves of the median nerve are terminal branches of the median nerve, which is one of the major nerves of the upper limb. These nerves are responsible for providing sensory innervation to the skin of the palmar side of the lateral three and a half fingers, which includes the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the lateral half of the ring finger.

Anatomy[edit]

The median nerve originates from the brachial plexus, specifically from the lateral and medial cords. It travels down the arm and forearm, passing through the carpal tunnel at the wrist. Upon emerging from the carpal tunnel, the median nerve divides into several branches, including the common palmar digital nerves. These common palmar digital nerves further divide into the proper palmar digital nerves.

The proper palmar digital nerves run along the sides of the fingers, providing sensory innervation to the palmar surfaces and the nail beds of the lateral three and a half fingers. They are crucial for the sensation of touch, pain, and temperature in these areas.

Function[edit]

The primary function of the proper palmar digital nerves is to convey sensory information from the skin of the fingers to the central nervous system. This includes sensations such as touch, pressure, pain, and temperature. The proper functioning of these nerves is essential for fine motor skills and tactile discrimination, which are important for tasks such as writing, typing, and handling small objects.

Clinical significance[edit]

Damage to the median nerve, such as in carpal tunnel syndrome, can affect the proper palmar digital nerves, leading to sensory deficits in the fingers they innervate. Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger. In severe cases, there may be a loss of sensation and difficulty in performing tasks that require fine motor skills.

Also see[edit]

References[edit]

Gray's Anatomy (public domain text)

Template:Nerves of the upper limb

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-== Proper Palmar Digital Nerves of Median Nerve ==
+{{Infobox nerve
+| Name = Proper palmar digital nerves of median nerve
+| Latin = nervi digitales palmares proprii nervi mediani
+| Image = Gray815.png
+| Caption = Diagram of segmental distribution of the cutaneous nerves of the right upper extremity. (Proper palmar digital nerves of median nerve labeled at bottom right.)
+| Innervates = Skin of the palmar side of the lateral three and a half fingers
+| BranchFrom = [[Median nerve]]
+}}
-The proper palmar digital nerves of the median nerve are a set of nerves that innervate the palmar aspect of the hand. These nerves arise from the median nerve, which is one of the major nerves in the upper limb. The proper palmar digital nerves play a crucial role in providing sensory innervation to the fingers and are essential for normal hand function.
+The '''proper palmar digital nerves of the median nerve''' are terminal branches of the [[median nerve]], which is one of the major nerves of the upper limb. These nerves are responsible for providing sensory innervation to the skin of the palmar side of the lateral three and a half fingers, which includes the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the lateral half of the ring finger.
-=== Anatomy ===
+==Anatomy==
+The median nerve originates from the brachial plexus, specifically from the lateral and medial cords. It travels down the arm and forearm, passing through the [[carpal tunnel]] at the wrist. Upon emerging from the carpal tunnel, the median nerve divides into several branches, including the common palmar digital nerves. These common palmar digital nerves further divide into the proper palmar digital nerves.
-The proper palmar digital nerves of the median nerve originate from the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel. The median nerve itself is formed by the union of the medial and lateral roots of the median nerve in the forearm. It then travels down the arm and enters the hand through the carpal tunnel, which is a narrow passageway formed by the carpal bones and the flexor retinaculum.
+The proper palmar digital nerves run along the sides of the fingers, providing sensory innervation to the palmar surfaces and the nail beds of the lateral three and a half fingers. They are crucial for the sensation of touch, pain, and temperature in these areas.
-Once inside the hand, the median nerve gives off several branches, including the proper palmar digital nerves. These nerves divide into multiple branches that supply the palmar aspect of the fingers. The proper palmar digital nerves are named according to the fingers they innervate:
+==Function==
+The primary function of the proper palmar digital nerves is to convey sensory information from the skin of the fingers to the central nervous system. This includes sensations such as touch, pressure, pain, and temperature. The proper functioning of these nerves is essential for fine motor skills and tactile discrimination, which are important for tasks such as writing, typing, and handling small objects.
-. Proper Palmar Digital Nerve of the Thumb: This nerve supplies the palmar aspect of the thumb.
+==Clinical significance==
+Damage to the median nerve, such as in [[carpal tunnel syndrome]], can affect the proper palmar digital nerves, leading to sensory deficits in the fingers they innervate. Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger. In severe cases, there may be a loss of sensation and difficulty in performing tasks that require fine motor skills.
-. Proper Palmar Digital Nerve of the Index Finger: This nerve innervates the palmar aspect of the index finger.
+==Also see==
+* [[Median nerve]]
+* [[Carpal tunnel syndrome]]
+* [[Brachial plexus]]
+* [[Ulnar nerve]]
+* [[Radial nerve]]
-. Proper Palmar Digital Nerve of the Middle Finger: This nerve provides sensory innervation to the palmar aspect of the middle finger.
+==References==
+* Gray's Anatomy (public domain text)
-. Proper Palmar Digital Nerve of the Ring Finger: This nerve supplies the palmar aspect of the ring finger.
+{{Nerves of the upper limb}}
-. Proper Palmar Digital Nerve of the Little Finger: This nerve innervates the palmar aspect of the little finger.
+[[Category:Peripheral nervous system]]
+[[Category:Upper limb anatomy]]
-=== Function ===
-The proper palmar digital nerves of the median nerve are responsible for transmitting sensory information from the palmar aspect of the fingers to the central nervous system. They play a crucial role in tactile sensation, allowing us to perceive touch, pressure, temperature, and pain in the fingers.
-These nerves also contribute to the motor function of the hand. Although their primary function is sensory, they also provide some motor innervation to the intrinsic muscles of the hand. The intrinsic muscles are responsible for fine motor movements, such as gripping, grasping, and manipulating objects.
-=== Clinical Significance ===
-Injuries or compression of the proper palmar digital nerves can lead to sensory deficits in the affected fingers. Common causes of nerve compression include carpal tunnel syndrome, which is characterized by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel. Symptoms of nerve compression may include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected fingers.
-In severe cases, nerve injuries may require surgical intervention to relieve the compression and restore normal nerve function. Physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises may also be recommended to improve hand strength and dexterity.
-=== Conclusion ===
-The proper palmar digital nerves of the median nerve are essential for normal hand function. They provide sensory innervation to the palmar aspect of the fingers and contribute to motor function. Understanding the anatomy and function of these nerves is crucial for diagnosing and treating conditions that affect hand sensation and motor control.<br>{{stub}}
-{{dictionary-stub1}}