Abstract

Shweta J.Patel, Rashvaita k. Patel, Chintan Bhatt and C.D. Mehta

The Musculocutaneous nerve arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, passes inferolaterally and then pierces through the coracobrachialis, after supplying it descends between the biceps and the brachialis, sending branches to both and continues as the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm. Variations in the origin, course, branching pattern, termination and the connections of the musculocutaneous nerve are not uncommon. These variations have clinical significance during surgical procedures, in the brachial plexus block and in diagnostic clinical neurophysiology. A detailed study was carried out on 80 upper limbs by using 40 embalmed cadavers during 4 years in anatomy department during routine undergraduates’ dissection classes. Dissection of the infraclavicular part of the brachial plexus was done. The variations in the origin, number and course, and their correlations to the coracobrachialis were noted. Absence of the musculocutaneous nerve was noted in 2 upper limbs (2.5 %).The musculocuatenous nerve was found but not piercing the coracobrachialis in 1 upper limb. (1.25%) and the nerve was found to rejoin the median nerve. The observations show that the musculocutaneous nerve has significant variations and that these variations have clinical significance in post traumatic evaluations and in the exploratory innervations of the arm for peripheral nerve repair. It is important for surgeons, clinicians and anatomist to be aware of possible anatomical variations to avoid unexpected complications.