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Ulnar nerve in hand
This specimen shows the ulnar nerve, the ulnar artery and the radial artery in the hand.
The palm consists of several intrinsic muscles which are involved in fine movements. One of the muscles that can be visualized in the specimen is the adductor pollicis. Most of these muscles are supplied by the ulnar nerve. The ulnar artery and the radial artery are also seen in the specimen.
Ulnar nerve:
The ulnar nerve is a branch of the medial cord of the brachial plexus. It traverses through the arm, passes posterior to the medial epicondyle of the humerus and enters the forearm. Here it supplies flexor carpi ulnaris and medial part of the flexor digitorum profundus. It then enters the hand and supplies the intrinsic muscles of the hand, that are concerned with fine movements. Therefore, this nerve is also known as the musician’s nerve.
Ulnar artery:
The ulnar artery is the terminal branch of the brachial artery. It passes along the medial aspect of the forearm and enters the palm to for the superficial palmar arch.
Radial artery:
The radial artery is the terminal branch of the brachial artery. It passes along the lateral aspect of the forearm. At the lower part of the forearm, the artery is usually palpated to check the pulsations. It then passes into the palm to complete the superficial palmar arch.
Adductor pollicis:
The adductor pollicis is an intrinsic muscle of the hand. It has two heads of origin, namely, the oblique and the transverse heads and inserts into the thumb. It is supplied by the ulnar nerve. It helps in adduction of the thumb.
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