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CC BY 4.0 · J Brachial Plex Peripher Nerve Inj 2023; 18(01): e42-e45
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1767674
Case Report

Fusion of the Median and Musculocutaneous Nerves Masquerading as Biceps' Innervation from the Median Nerve

Ioannis Antonopoulos
1   Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Greece
,
Margarita- Michaela Ampadiotaki
1   Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Greece
,
George Tsikouris
1   Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Greece
,
Ioannis Chiotis
1   Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Greece
,
Georgios Tsakotos
1   Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Greece
,
Ioannis Pathiakis
1   Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Greece
,
Theodore G. Troupis
1   Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Greece
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Abstract

Embryologically, the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) comes from the lateral root of the median nerve, and thus numerous anatomical variations concerning the formation and branching pattern of these two nerves of the brachial plexus have been described. In this case study, we describe a relatively uncommon case of fusion of the median and MCNs that was identified during routine teaching dissection of a male human cadaver. The identification of this anatomical variation requires awareness of the embryological background, as it may be confused with biceps innervation from the median nerve or the existence of a communicating branch between the two nerves. In addition, awareness of such anatomical variations is of undisputable significance for the safety of surgical operations in the brachial plexus and the arm in general.

Keywords

median nerve - musculocutaneous nerve - biceps' innervation - brachial plexus


Publication History

Received: 18 October 2022

Accepted: 03 February 2023

Article published online:
15 November 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
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