Proper Palmar Digital Branches of Median Nerve

Origin

The proper palmar digital nerves arise from the common palmar digital branches of the median nerve, below the flexor retinaculum (C6—C8).

Course

The median nerve enters the palm by passing deep to the flexor retinaculum, where it lies in the narrow space of the carpel tunnel in front of the ulnar bursa enclosing the long flexor tendons of the forearm. Immediately below the retinaculum, the nerve divides into lateral and medial divisions.

The medial division divides into common palmar digital nerves, which give rise to the proper palmar (or volar) digital nerves for the second and third interdigital clefts, supplying the adjoining sides of the index, middle, and ring fingers. The common palmar digital branches for the medial one and half digits come from the ulnar nerve. The lateral division gives off a muscular branch to thenar muscles and three digital branches for the lateral one and half digits (including thumb).

Branches

There are no named branches.

Supplied Structures

Proper palmar (or volar) digital nerves from the common digital branches of the median nerve innervate the adjoining sides of index, middle, and ring fingers in the second and third interdigital clefts. The various digital branches of the median nerve supply the palmar aspect of the skin of the lateral three and a half digits, the nail beds, and skin on the dorsal aspect of the middle and distal phalanges of the same digits. On the contrary, the lateral division gives off digital branches directly to the lateral one and half digits.