title: Regional anatomic structures of the elbow that may potentially compress the ulnar nerve.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Traumatic injuries to the ulnar nerve at the elbow are a frequent problem as it is vulnerable to stretching and compression with motion of the upper limb. The aim of the present study was to explore the course of the ulnar nerve at the elbow and forearm and to determine possible anatomical structures that may cause compression of this structure.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined 12 upper limbs from cadavers. The length of any fibrous bands, and if present, their distance to the medial epicondyle was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On 5 sides a fibrous band originating from the medial intermuscular septum was observed to cross over the ulnar nerve. The average length of the fibrous band was 5.7 cm, and it attached to the medial epicondyle. The mean length of the ulnar nerve as it coursed in the cubital tunnel was 3.8 cm. In 4 of the cases, the ulnar nerve was covered by muscle fibers originating from the flexor digitorum superficialis and extending to the flexor carpi ulnaris. On 5 sides we observed fibrous thickenings, and on 8 sides vascular structures were found crossing over the ulnar nerve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cubital tunnel is the most common site of compression of the ulnar nerve. Numerous surgical procedures are recommended for cubital tunnel syndrome. Simple decompression is used most commonly. Although surgical procedures are reported to provide efficient pain relief and functional recovery, residual or recurrent symptoms have been reported. Reasons for such recurrences may be more proximal or distal compression of the ulnar nerve as seen in our study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of possible compression sites of the ulnar nerve is important to the surgeon so that complications are avoided and postoperative recurrence is decreased.
  
  
  METHODS
  Basic science study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Duzce University, Duzce Medical Faculty, Duzce, Turkey. aysekaratas@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karatas
authors.forename: Nihal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Apaydin
authors.forename: Aysun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uz
authors.forename: R  Shane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tubbs
authors.forename: Shane R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Tubbs
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.forename: Ferruh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gezen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D020430:Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D004550:Elbow / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation; D015588:Observer Variation; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*