Radial nerve

Radial nerve

The suprascapular, axillary, and radial nerves.
Details
From posterior cord
To posterior interosseous nerve
Innervates posterior compartment of the arm, posterior compartment of the forearm
Identifiers
Latin nervus radialis
MeSH A08.800.800.720.050.700
TA A14.2.03.049
FMA 37069

Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The radial nerve is a nerve in the human body that supplies the posterior portion of the upper limb. It innervates the medial and lateral heads of the triceps brachii muscle of the arm, as well as all 12 muscles in the posterior osteofascial compartment of the forearm and the associated joints and overlying skin.

It originates from the brachial plexus, carrying fibers from the ventral roots of spinal nerves C5, C6, C7, C8 & T1.

The radial nerve and its branches provide motor innervation to the dorsal arm muscles (the triceps brachii and the anconeus) and the extrinsic extensors of the wrists and hands; it also provides cutaneous sensory innervation to most of the back of the hand, except for the back of the little finger and adjacent half of the ring finger (which are innervated by the ulnar nerve)

The radial nerve divides into a deep branch, which becomes the posterior interosseous nerve, and a superficial branch, which goes on to innervate the dorsum (back) of the hand.

Structure

The radial nerve originates as a terminal branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. It goes through the arm, first in the posterior compartment of the arm, and later in the anterior compartment of the arm, and continues in the posterior compartment of the forearm.

In arm

From the brachial plexus, it travels posteriorly through what is often called the triangular interval (US), the lower triangular space of the axilla (UK) or the triceps hiatus (medical terminology).

Radial nerve of the right upper limb, posterior view

Having passed through this inter muscular gap, the radial nerve continues posteriorly in a medial to lateral fashion on the arm while in conjunction with the deep artery of arm.

The nerve will first give off branches to the medial head of the triceps brachii and then enter a groove on the humerus, the radial sulcus (AKA spiral groove), where it innervates the lateral head of the triceps. It is commonly believed that the radial nerve also provided motor innervation to the long head of the triceps. However, a study conducted in 2004 determined that, in 20 cadaveric specimens and 15 surgical dissections on participants, the long head was innervated by a branch of the axillary nerve in all cases.[1]

With the lateral and medial heads of the triceps innervated, the radial nerve emerges from the radial groove on the lateral aspect of the humerus.

At this point, it pierces the lateral intermuscular septum and enters the anterior compartment of the arm.

It then courses inferiorly between the brachialis and brachioradialis muscles.

When the radial nerve reaches the distal part of the humerus, it passes anteriorly to the lateral epicondyle and continues in the forearm.

In forearm

In the forearm, it branches into a superficial branch (primarily sensory) and a deep branch (primarily motor).

Function

The following are branches of the radial nerve (including the superficial branch of the radial nerve and the deep branch of the radial nerve/posterior interosseous nerve).

Cutaneous

Cutaneous innervation of the right upper extremity. Areas innervated by the radial nerve are colored in pink.

Cutaneous innervation by the radial nerve is provided by the following nerve branches:

The superficial branch of the radial nerve provides sensory innervation to much of the back of the hand, including the web of skin between the thumb and index finger.

Motor

Muscles of the posterior forearm. All the labelled muscles (that is, all the visible muscles except the ones on the dorsal hand and one at top left) are innervated by the radial nerve, and represent all muscles innervated by the radial nerve except for the supinator.

Muscular branches of the radial nerve:

Deep branch of the radial nerve:

Posterior interosseous nerve (a continuation of the deep branch after the supinator):

The radial nerve (and its deep branch) provides motor innervation to the muscles in the posterior compartment of the arm and forearm, which are mostly extensors.

Clinical significance

Injury

Injury to the radial nerve at different levels causes different syndromes with varying motor and sensory deficits.

At the axilla

At mid-arm

Just below the elbow

Within the distal forearm:

Additional images

References

  1. de Se`ze MP, Rezzouk J, de Se`ze M, Uzel M, Lavignolle B, Midy D, Durandeau A (2004). "Does the motor branch of the long head of the triceps brachii arise from the radial nerve?". Surg Radiol Anat. 26 (6): 459–461. doi:10.1007/s00276-004-0253-z. PMID 15365769.
  2. Tor Wo Chiu (2011). Stone's Plastic Surgery Facts and Figures. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781139499781.

See also

This article uses anatomical terminology; for an overview, see Anatomical terminology.
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