Digital nerve

Digital nerves are nerves in the hands and feet that transmit sensory and motor information. They are branches of the median, ulnar, and radial nerves in the hand, and branches of the tibial and common fibular nerves in the foot.

Anatomy

The cutaneous nerves of the right hand.

The digital nerves of the hand are derived from the median, ulnar, and radial nerves. They innervate the skin and muscles of the fingers and thumb. The digital nerves of the foot are derived from the tibial and common fibular nerves. They innervate the skin and muscles of the toes.

Function

Digital nerves carry both sensory and motor fibers. The sensory fibers carry information about touch, temperature, and pain from the skin of the fingers or toes to the brain. The motor fibers carry commands from the brain to the muscles in the fingers or toes, controlling movement.

Clinical significance

Damage to a digital nerve can cause numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected finger or toe. This can occur as a result of trauma, such as a cut or crush injury, or from medical conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or diabetic neuropathy.

See also

• Peripheral nerve injury
• Nerve repair