Ulnar nerve

Ulnar Nerve

The ulnar nerve is a major peripheral nerve of the upper limb. It is one of the five main nerves originating from the brachial plexus. The ulnar nerve is responsible for the innervation of the muscles in the anterior compartment of the forearm and the intrinsic muscles of the hand. It also provides sensory innervation to the skin of the hand.

Anatomy

The ulnar nerve arises from the medial cord of the brachial plexus, carrying fibers from the C8 and T1 nerve roots. It travels down the arm, passing posterior to the medial epicondyle of the humerus, where it is superficial and vulnerable to injury. This location is commonly referred to as the "funny bone."

In the forearm, the ulnar nerve travels between the flexor carpi ulnaris and the flexor digitorum profundus muscles. It supplies motor branches to these muscles and continues into the hand.

Function

The ulnar nerve provides motor innervation to the following muscles:

• In the forearm: Flexor carpi ulnaris and the medial half of the flexor digitorum profundus.
• In the hand: Hypothenar muscles, adductor pollicis, interossei, and the medial two lumbricals.

Sensory innervation is provided to the skin over the medial one and a half fingers and the associated palm area.

Clinical Significance

Ulnar Nerve Entrapment

Ulnar nerve entrapment can occur at several sites, most commonly at the elbow (cubital tunnel syndrome) and the wrist (Guyon's canal syndrome). Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand.

Guyon's Canal Syndrome

Guyon's canal syndrome is caused by compression of the ulnar nerve as it passes through Guyon's canal at the wrist. It can lead to weakness of the intrinsic muscles of the hand and sensory loss in the ulnar distribution.

Related Pages

• Brachial plexus
• Cubital tunnel syndrome
• Guyon's canal syndrome
• Peripheral nerve injury

References

• Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st Edition. Elsevier.
• Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2013). Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 7th Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Gallery

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  Diagram of the brachial plexus.

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  Nerves of the left upper extremity.

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  Zones of Guyon's canal syndrome.

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  Anatomy of the ulnar nerve.

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  Color-coded brachial plexus.

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  Muscles of the forearm.

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  Superficial muscles of the forearm.

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  Deep muscles of the forearm.

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  Carpal tunnel anatomy.

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  Bones of the hand.

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  Nerves of the hand.

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  Cross-section of the forearm.

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  Cross-section of the wrist.

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  Clinical image of ulnar nerve.

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  Surgical view of the ulnar nerve.

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  Ulnar nerve in the forearm.

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  Ulnar nerve at the elbow.

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  Ulnar nerve in the hand.

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  Ulnar nerve compression.

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  Brachial plexus diagram

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  Nerves of the left upper extremity

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  Guyon canal syndrome zones

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  Gray's anatomy diagrams 812 and 814

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  Colored brachial plexus

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  Gray's anatomy diagram 413

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  Gray's anatomy diagram 417

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  Gray's anatomy diagram 421

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  Gray's anatomy diagram 528

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  Gray's anatomy diagram 809

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  Gray's anatomy diagram 1235

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  Gray's anatomy diagram 1236