The radial nerve is one of the most important nerves in the upper limb. It has both sensory and motor fibers, therefore it is responsible for the reception of various sensory stimuli, but also for the movement of many muscles. Like other nerves, the radial nerve can become paralyzed - it can manifest itself with both paresis and sensory disturbances.

The radial nerve(radial nerve) is derived from the brachial plexus, or more precisely, it is an extension of the brachial plexus. The distinguishing feature of the nerve is that it is considered the thickest of the nerves originating from the brachial plexus. The radial nerve is a mixed nerve - it contains both sensory and motor fibers. The nerve is generally composed of fibers derived from the C5, C6, C7, C8, and Th1 spinal segments (i.e., the last four cervical and first thoracic segments).

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Radial nerve: waveform

The radial nerve emerges from the axillary cavity onto the shoulder and travels towards the groove of the radial nerve, where it runs along with the deep arm artery. Then - along with the aforementioned vessel - it passes between the long head and the medial head of the triceps muscle and finally goes to the back of the arm.

The radial nerve then goes further downwards, until finally, in the area of ​​the elbow, it splits into two branches, which are the superficial branch and the deep branch.

Radial nerve: branches

In its entire course, the radial nerve gives off numerous branches, which are:

  • branch to the shoulder joint,
  • posterior cutaneous nerve of arm,
  • posterior cutaneous nerve of the forearm,
  • branches to the muscles of the back of the arm,
  • vascular branches,
  • branches to the elbow joint,
  • deep branch,
  • superficial branch.

Radial nerve: motor fibers

The motor fibers of the radial nerve reach many muscles in the upper limb. Among those supplied by this nerve, the following can be mentioned:

  • triceps muscle of the arm,
  • elbow muscle,
  • brachial radial muscle,
  • extensor muscle of the wrist radial long,
  • radial extensor muscle of the wristshort,
  • muscle invertor,
  • extensor muscle of fingers,
  • extensor muscle of the little finger,
  • elbow extensor muscle,
  • long thumb abductor muscle,
  • short extensor muscle of the thumb,
  • long extensor muscle of the thumb,
  • extensor muscle of the pointer.

Radial nerve: sensory fibers

In addition to the motor fibers, the radial nerve also carries sensory fibers that are responsible for the reception of sensory experiences from several different parts of the upper limb.

The sensory radial nerve supplies the posterior parts of the arm and forearm, part of the dorsal surface of the hand and - on the medial side - the index finger.

Radial nerve: symptoms of palsy

The most common pathology associated with the radial nerve is palsy. It is encountered relatively often due to the way the nerve runs - in the course of various falls it is not uncommon to break the humerus with which the radial nerve is directly connected, and in this case it may be damaged leading to nerve paralysis.

A symptom typical for this problem is the so-called falling hand, i.e. a characteristic position of the hand resulting from paralysis of the extensor muscles supplied by the nerve.

In case of damage to the radial nerve, the muscles supplied by it are paralyzed, but also sensory disturbances in the above-mentioned regions that the radial nerve supplies sensually.

  • Radius - structure, functions, diseases
  • Spinal nerves - functions, damage
  • Vagus nerve
  • The facial nerve, or VII cranial nerve: functions

Category:

Anatomy