Ulnar nerve

Ulnar nerve

The Ulnar nerve is a nerve that runs near the ulna bone. The ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint is in relation with the ulnar nerve. The nerve is the largest in the human body unprotected by muscle or bone, so injury is common. This nerve is directly connected to the little finger, and the adjacent half of the ring finger, innervating the palmar aspect of these fingers, including both front and back of the tips, perhaps as far back as the fingernail beds.

Anatomy

The ulnar nerve originates from the C8-T1 nerve roots (C7-T1), branches off the medial cord of the brachial plexus, and proceeds down the medial aspect of the upper limb. It passes posterior to the medial epicondyle of the humerus (which can be felt when the elbow is flexed) in the cubital tunnel, where it can be palpated rolling over the medial epicondyle. At the elbow, it runs posterior to the intermuscular septum, and is medial to the brachial artery.

Clinical significance

Injury to the ulnar nerve can cause a variety of symptoms, due to its innervation of muscles in the forearm and hand. Symptoms can include a loss of sensation in the ring and little fingers, and weakness in the hand. This is known as ulnar neuropathy, which can be caused by both physical trauma and systemic diseases such as diabetes.

See also

• Cubital tunnel
• Guyon's canal
• Ulnar nerve entrapment

References

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