Anatomy and Cell Biology

Korean Association of Anatomists (대한해부학회)
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The anatomical variations of median nerve in Shiraz, Iran

  • Zia Moasses (Department of Anatomical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Arefeh Aryan (Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Ashraf Hassanpour-Dehnavi (Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Mohammad Zarenezhad (Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization) ;
  • Alireza Dorodchi (Legal Medicine of Fars Province, Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization)
  • Received : 2023.09.03
  • Accepted : 2023.10.30
  • Published : 2024.03.31
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Abstract

The origin and distribution of median nerve varies among the different individuals. The median nerve variations in axillary region were reported by many authors previously. Understanding of these variations is especially necessary for clinicians to prevent iatrogenic nerve damage. The current work aimed to evaluate the possible anatomical variations of median nerve in the axillary region in a sample of the Iranian cadavers (Shiraz, Fars). We dissected 26 upper limbs from 13 male cadavers to investigate the different variations of median and musculocutaneous nerves according to Venieratos and Anagnostopoulou classification. In 23.07% of specimens (n=6), the medial root united with 2 lateral roots and formed the median nerve proximal to the coracobrachialis muscle. In one case, a communicating branch separated from the musculocutaneous nerve distal to the coracobrachialis and connected to the median nerve in upper arm. Our results suggest that there are anatomical variations of the median nerve in terms of its origin and its communication with the musculocutaneous nerve in the population of southern Iran. The anatomical knowledge of the median nerve variations is important for clinicians to improve patient health outcome. Theses variations of the median nerve should be considered during surgical procedures of the axillary region and nerve block of the infra clavicular part of the brachial plexus.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We express our gratitude to Fars Legal Medicine Research Center (Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran) for guidance and preparation of specimens. We are also thankful to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.

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