Description
The nerve supply for the hand can be divided into superficial (or cutaneous) and deep innervation. Cutaneous innervation comprises the following nerves:
—median nerve, which innervates skin over the lateral two thirds of the palm, including thenar eminence and the palmar skin of the lateral three and a half digits, nail beds, and skin on the dorsal aspect of the middle and distal phalanges of the same digits;
—ulnar nerve, which innervates skin of the medial one third of the palm, the medial side of the little finger and the adjacent sides of ring and little fingers, and medial half of the back of the hand and the dorsal aspect of the medial two and a half digits;
—radial nerve, which innervates the skin of the lateral half of the dorsum of the hand and dorsal surfaces of the lateral two and a half digits, including the thumb.
The deeper structures in the hand are innervated by the following nerves:
—median nerve, which innervates the thenar muscles;
—ulnar nerve, which innervates the hypothenar muscles, medial two lumbricals, and all interossei.
Related parts of the anatomy
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