bifid median nerve

The median nerve may divide into two nerve bundles in the distal forearm and appear as a bifid median nerve in the carpal tunnel. It has an incidence of ~3%.

The median nerve usually divides into two or three branches after exiting the distal edge of the transverse carpal ligament that covers the carpal tunnel. These subdivide into digital nerves that supply opposing sides of the digits.

A bifid median nerve may be accompanied by an accessory artery, the persistent median artery of the forearm, which lies in between the two nerve bundles. The artery and bifid nerve can be enclosed by a common epineurium.

As the median artery can be easily detected on ultrasound, it is essential that this be mentioned in the radiologist's report to avoid inadvertent injury to the nerve and artery during surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament.

Siehe auch:

• Nervus medianus

und weiter:

• bifid median nerve associated with a carpal tunnel syndrome