COURSE OF THE RADIAL NERVE IN THE VULNERABLE AREA ALONG THE SHAFT OF THE HUMERUS: A CADAVERIC STUDY

Authors

  • Arkaphat Kosiyatrakul Department of Orthopaedics, Phramongkutklao Hospital and Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Phongsak Phongthipakorn Department of Orthopaedics, Phramongkutklao Hospital and Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Malee Chanpoo Department of Anatomy, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Suriya Luenam Department of Orthopaedics, Phramongkutklao Hospital and Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55374/jseamed.v3i1.44

Keywords:

Radial nerve, Course, Humerus, Posterior cortex, Lateral cortex

Abstract

Background: The radial nerve is the most commonly injured nerve associated with humeral fracture. Moreover, the nerve could be iatrogenically injured during fixation of the humerus.

Objective: The study aimed to identify the course of the radial nerve on the posterior and lateral aspects of the humerus.

Methods: Thirty-three adult embalmed cadaveric specimens were included in the study. The humeral length was determined as the distance between the posterior lateral aspect of the acromion and the lateral epicondyle. The distance between the lateral epicondyle to the posterior and lateral course of the nerve were measured.

Results: The average humeral length was 27.7 (±1.8) cm. The mean distance between the lateral epicondyle and posteromedial point, midposterior point, posterolateral point,        midlateral point and anterolateral point were 17.4 (±1.2), 15.2 (±1.0), 12.7 (±0.8), 9.5 (±1.0) and 6.4 (±0.8) cm, respectively.

Conclusion: The high variation of the course of the radial nerve along the humerus was confirmed. The results in the present study can be used as a guide to determine the posterior and lateral course of the radial nerve during surgical exploration and prevent the nerve from iatrogenic injury during orthopedic operation.

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Published

2019-06-11

How to Cite

1.
Kosiyatrakul A, Phongthipakorn P, Chanpoo M, Luenam S. COURSE OF THE RADIAL NERVE IN THE VULNERABLE AREA ALONG THE SHAFT OF THE HUMERUS: A CADAVERIC STUDY. J Southeast Asian Med Res [Internet]. 2019 Jun. 11 [cited 2024 Oct. 4];3(1):8-17. Available from: https://jseamed.org/index.php/jseamed/article/view/44

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