open access
Duplicated superficial branch of the radial nerve and brachioradialis muscle belly: prevalence and significance
, 12, 3, 13
Affiliations- Department of Anatomy, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Anatomy, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Health Care Studies, College of Polytechnics Jihlava, Czech Republic
open access
Abstract
Background: The superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN) is a sensory nerve
innervating the dorsoradial part of the hand. It originates in the cubital fossa, runs
under the belly of the brachioradialis muscle (BM), emerges from underneath in
the distal third of the forearm and continues in the subcutaneous tissue towards
the hand. There exist several anatomical variations of its branching and course,
including a rare variation of its duplication combined with a duplication of the
brachioradialis muscle belly. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence
of this variation on a sample of cadaveric human bodies which has not been
reported yet.
Materials and methods: We have carefully dissected 208 cadaveric upper limbs
(Central European population). All cases of limbs containing the variation of
a double SBRN and/or a double BM belly were measured and documented.
Results: We have identified 2 cases of a double SBRN combined with a double
BM belly (0.96%). Both were present in the right forearm of a male donor and in
both cases the nerve was impinged by muscle bundles connecting the 2 muscle
bellies together. Moreover, we have encountered 1 case of a double SBRN without
a double BM belly (0.48%), i.e. the total prevalence of a double SBRN was 1.44%.
Conclusions: The duplicated SBRN with the duplicated BM is a relatively rare anatomical
variation that might cause complications while performing various surgical
procedures in the forearm, moreover it might be a rare cause of Wartenberg’s
syndrome.
Abstract
Background: The superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN) is a sensory nerve
innervating the dorsoradial part of the hand. It originates in the cubital fossa, runs
under the belly of the brachioradialis muscle (BM), emerges from underneath in
the distal third of the forearm and continues in the subcutaneous tissue towards
the hand. There exist several anatomical variations of its branching and course,
including a rare variation of its duplication combined with a duplication of the
brachioradialis muscle belly. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence
of this variation on a sample of cadaveric human bodies which has not been
reported yet.
Materials and methods: We have carefully dissected 208 cadaveric upper limbs
(Central European population). All cases of limbs containing the variation of
a double SBRN and/or a double BM belly were measured and documented.
Results: We have identified 2 cases of a double SBRN combined with a double
BM belly (0.96%). Both were present in the right forearm of a male donor and in
both cases the nerve was impinged by muscle bundles connecting the 2 muscle
bellies together. Moreover, we have encountered 1 case of a double SBRN without
a double BM belly (0.48%), i.e. the total prevalence of a double SBRN was 1.44%.
Conclusions: The duplicated SBRN with the duplicated BM is a relatively rare anatomical
variation that might cause complications while performing various surgical
procedures in the forearm, moreover it might be a rare cause of Wartenberg’s
syndrome.
Keywords
superficial branch, radial nerve, duplication, brachioradialis, variation, double
About this articleTitle
Duplicated superficial branch of the radial nerve and brachioradialis muscle belly: prevalence and significance
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
558-561
Published online
2022-07-08
Page views
974
Article views/downloads
620
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2023;82(3):558-561.
Keywords
superficial branch
radial nerve
duplication
brachioradialis
variation
double
Authors
T. Herma
J. Slezak
V. Baca
D. Kachlik
References (14)- Appleton AB. A case of abnormal distribution of the n. musculo-cutaneus, with complete absence of the ramus cutaneus n. radialis. J Anat Physiol. 1911; 46(Part 1): 89–94.
- Auerbach DM, Collins ED, Kunkle KL, et al. The radial sensory nerve. An anatomic study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1994(308): 241–249.
- Doyle JR, Botte MJ. Surgical anatomy of the hand and upper extremity. Wolters Kluwer Health, Philadelphia 2015.
- Gruber W. Über die Varietäten des Musculus brachioradialis. Bull Acad Imp Sci Saint-Petersbourg. 1868; 12: 259–269.
- Herma T, Baca V, Yershov D, et al. A case of a duplicated superficial branch of radial nerve and a two-bellied brachioradialis muscle presenting a potential entrapment syndrome. Surg Radiol Anat. 2017; 39(4): 451–454.
- Kravarski M, Goerres GW, Antoniadis A, et al. Supernumerary brachioradialis - Anatomical variation with magnetic resonance imaging findings: A case report. World J Orthop. 2020; 11(9): 411–417.
- Lindau RH, Wax MK. Abnormal anatomy of the superficial branch of the radial nerve. Head Neck. 2013; 35(9): E262–E263.
- Murphy AD, Blair JW. An anatomical variant of the superficial branch of the radial nerve in Wartenberg's syndrome. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2012; 37(4): 365–366.
- Patel KB, Naik AN, Kang SY, et al. Aberrant superficial branch of the radial nerve-radial forearm free flap considerations. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019; 7(6): e2191.
- Spinner RJ, Spinner M. Superficial radial nerve compression at the elbow due to an accessory brachioradialis muscle: a case report. J Hand Surg Am. 1996; 21(3): 369–372.
- Tryfonidis M, Jass GK, Charalambous CP, et al. Superficial branch of the radial nerve piercing the brachioradialis tendon to become subcutaneous: an anatomical variation with clinical relevance. Hand Surg. 2004; 9(2): 191–195.
- Tubbs SR, Shoja MM, Loukas M. Bergman's comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken 2016.
- Turkof E, Puig S, Choi MS, et al. Superficial branch of the radial nerve emerging between two slips of a split brachioradialis muscle tendon: a variation of possible clinical relevance. Acta Anat (Basel). 1994; 150(3): 232–234.
- Turkof E, Puig S, Choi SS, et al. The radial sensory nerve entrapped between the two slips of a split brachioradialis tendon: a rare aspect of Wartenberg's syndrome. J Hand Surg Am. 1995; 20(4): 676–678.
