The anatomical variations of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve in Chinese adults.
BACKGROUND
In a detailed analysis of the palmar cutaneous branch of median nerve (PCN) in the Chinese adults, we tried to evaluate its anatomic variation and clinical significance.


METHODS
Observations were described in all the 60 specimens of the PCN at the wrist.


RESULTS
The PCN was present in all 60 specimens and in most cases (88.3%) it originated from the radial side of the median nerve and the average length from the palmaris longus was 1.4 cm; ulnarward (11.7%); only 5 cases (4.1%) were located at ulnar side and extended beyond the palmaris longus, the average distance being 0.3 cm. Its mean point of origin was 3.2 cm proximal to the distal wrist crease and the variations of the PCN in Lanz classification were: group 0 (31.7%), group 1 (40%), group 2 (15%), group 3 (0%) and group 4 (13.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
Longitudinal incision located 1 cm on the ulnar side from palmaris longus could avoid injury to the PCN during decompression for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Cheung
Juh-Wen
JW
Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Shyu
Jia-Fwu
JF
Teng
Chih-Chuan
CC
Chen
Tien-Hua
TH
Su
Cheng-Hsi
CH
Shyr
Yi-Ming
YM
Wang
Jaang J
JJ
Wu
Chew-Wun
CW
Lui
Wing-Yui
WY
Liu
Jiang-Chuan
JC
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D002681:China; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation*