A cadaveric study on Musculocutaneous nerve and its variations in south Indian population

Abstract               Musculocutaneous Nerve is a branch of the lateral cord of Brachial plexus. It pierces the Coracobrachialis muscle and runs downward between Biceps brachii and Brachialis. At the lateral side of the arm, just below the elbow, it continues as Lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm. Musculocutaneous nerve supplies Coracobrachialis, Biceps brachii and Brachialis which are muscles of the front of arm. It also provides sensory innervation for the lateral aspect of forearm. A detailed study of Musculocuateous nerve was done in 100 limbs of 50 embalmed human cadavers at the Institute of Anatomy, Madras Medical College, Chennai, India. Musculocutaneous nerve was not piercing the Coracobrachialis muscle in 15% of limbs. In 9%, communication was noted between Musculocutaneous nerve and Median nerve. The Musculocutaneous nerve was absent in 6% of limbs. The Musculocutaneous Nerve has significant variations and this knowledge is important for Neurologists, Anaesthesiologists, Orthopaedicians and Surgeons.

Key Word: Musculocutaneous nerve, Coracobrachialis, Median nerve, Lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm, Nerve Communication.