Deep branch of radial nerve

The radial nerve divides into a superficial (sensory) and deep (motor) branch at the cubital fossa. The deep branch of the radial nerve winds to the back of the forearm around the lateral side of the radius between the two planes of fibers of the Supinator, and is prolonged downward between the superficial and deep layers of muscles, to the middle of the forearm. The deep branch provides motor function to the muscles in the posterior compartment of the forearm, which is mostly the extensor muscles of the hand.

Deep branch of radial nerve
The suprascapular, axillary, and radial nerves. (Deep branch of radial labeled at right.)
Details
Fromradial nerve
Identifiers
LatinRamus profundus nervi radialis,
nervus interosseus dorsalis
TA98A14.2.03.054
TA26436
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The radial nerve arises from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. The posterior cord takes nerves from the upper, lower, and middle trunk, so ultimately the radial nerve is formed from the anterior rami of C5 through T1.[1]

The radial nerve passes through the axilla, which makes it susceptible to injury. It can be compressed against the humerus by crutches, causing crutch paralysis. Symptoms of damage to the deep branch of the radial nerve typically include "wrist drop", which is the flexion of fingers, hand, and wrist, since the extensor muscles supplied by the nerve are paralyzed. Normal sensation of the skin is retained, since this nerve only provides sensory function to ligaments and articulations of the carpal and metacarpal joints.[2]

Since the nerve passes dorsally around the head of the radius, it is susceptible to traction or compression injuries when the elbow joint is injured, in particular, radial dislocation. Another area of potential entrapment is the arcade of Frohse, a fibrous arch formed from the proximal part of the superficial head of the supinator, under which the deep branch of the radial nerve passes. The passage for the nerve varies in size. In some cases of spontaneous paralysis of the nerve, releasing this fibrous band released pressure on the nerve and restored function [3]

Considerably diminished in size, it descends as the posterior interosseous nerve.

For some authors, the deep branch of the radial nerve is the same as the posterior interosseous nerve.[4][5]

Additional images
  • Cross-section through the middle of the forearm.
  • The Supinator.
  • Deep palmar nerves.

References
  1. Saladin, Kenneth S. "The Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, and Somatic Reflexes." Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill, 2007. 496. Print.
  2. Saladin, Kenneth S. "The Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, and Somatic Reflexes." Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill, 2007. 497. Print.
  3. Spinner, Morton. "The Arcade of Frohse and Its Relationship to Posterior Interosseous Nerve Paralysis." The Bone and Joint Journal 50.4 (1968): 809-12. Print.
  4. "Acland's video Atlas of Human Anatomy 1.3.1.8 - Radial nerve in the forearm and hand". Wolters Kluwer. Archived from the original on 29 November 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2018. The deep branch of the radial nerve, also known as the posterior interosseous nerve, is a motor nerve.
  5. Nurul Huda, Mohd Nor; Aye Aye, San; Fauziah, Othman (2014). "An Anomalous Pattern of Superficial Branch of Radial Nerve - A Cadaveric Case Report". International Journal of Morphology. 32 (1): 29–31. doi:10.4067/S0717-95022014000100005. The deep branch of radial nerve and also known as posterior interosseous nerve is the nerve of extensor compartment of the forearm ...

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 944 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

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