Muscular Branch of Median Nerve to Palmaris Longus (Right)

Origin

The nerve to palmaris longus muscle originates from the median nerve in the cubital fossa and contains nerve fibers from the C7 and C8 segments of the cervical spinal cord.

Course

Following its origin from the lateral and medial cords of brachial plexus, the median nerve descends distally in the arm as it crosses the brachial artery from lateral to the medial side to reach the cubital fossa. Inside the cubital fossa, the median nerve lies medial to the brachial artery and deep to bicipital aponeurosis. Various muscular branches to the superficial flexor muscles of the forearm are given off from the median nerve in the cubital fossa, including the muscular branch to the palmaris longus.

Variations in the innervation of palmaris longus have been reported. A separate branch might arise from the median nerve, distal to its palmar cutaneous branch, which ramifies and then innervates the distal part of the tendon of palmaris longus and the palmar aponeurosis from their dorsal aspect. The ramifications might further pierce the palmar aponeurosis to innervate the palmar skin (Chauhan, 2003).

Branches

There are no named branches.

Supplied Structures

The muscular branch of median nerve to palmaris longus provides motor innervation to the palmaris longus muscle.

References

Chauhan, R. (2003) 'Atypical innervation of palmaris longus-A case report.', J Anat Soc India, 52(2), pp. 171-173.