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A Cadaveric Study of Ulnar Nerve Innervation of the Medial Head of Triceps Brachii

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Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Abstract

The presence of a separately innervated muscle unit of the triceps may have possible surgical importance and can be used for motor reconstructions. The ulnar nerve is closely situated to the triceps muscle and rarely examined above the elbow. The aim of this cadaveric study was to explore a possible contribution of the ulnar nerve to motor innervation of the medial head of the triceps. We dissected 18 limbs from axillae to midforearm. The path of the ulnar nerve was followed, and examination was conducted of attachments to the triceps. Gross photographs were taken and samples histologically stained. Seventeen limbs had ulnar nerve branches proximal to the epicondyles that inserted on the medial head. Eleven of these branches were from the ulnar nerve trunk. The other six were nerve branches from the ulnar collateral branch of the radial nerve. The ulnar nerve and the ulnar collateral branch of the radial nerve are previously unrecognized sources of innervation of the medial head of the triceps brachii. These motor branches must be carefully preserved during the medial surgical approach above the elbow. The ulnar innervated part of the medial head of the triceps muscle may be used like an independent motor unit.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeditepe University Hospital, Devlet Yolu Ankara Cad 102/104, Kozyataği, Istanbul, Turkey

    Halil Bekler MD

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Trauma Training Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    Valerie M. Wolfe MD & Melvin P. Rosenwasser MD

Authors
  1. Halil Bekler MD
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  2. Valerie M. Wolfe MD
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  3. Melvin P. Rosenwasser MD
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Correspondence to Halil Bekler MD.

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Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial association (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

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Bekler, H., Wolfe, V.M. & Rosenwasser, M.P. A Cadaveric Study of Ulnar Nerve Innervation of the Medial Head of Triceps Brachii. Clin Orthop Relat Res 467, 235–238 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0535-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0535-6

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