Contents
What type of nerve is the radial nerve?
The radial nerve is the terminal continuation of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. It therefore contains fibres from nerve roots C5 – T1. The nerve arises in the axilla region, where it is situated posteriorly to the axillary artery.
What is the radial sensory nerve?
The radial nerve is a nerve in the human body that supplies the posterior portion of the upper limb. It innervates the medial and lateral heads of the triceps brachii muscle of the arm, as well as all 12 muscles in the posterior osteofascial compartment of the forearm and the associated joints and overlying skin.
What is the radial nerve connected to?
The radial nerve is one of the major nerves of the upper extremity. Forming in the area of the shoulder joint at the confluence of several branches of the brachial plexus, the radial nerve courses down the arm, past the elbow joint, into the forearm, across the wrist, and all the way to the tips of your fingers.
What muscles does the radial nerve supply?
The radial nerve and its branches provide innervation the following muscles (See Structure and Function for specific nerve branch innervations and muscle actions)[7]:
- Abductor pollicis longus.
- Anconeus.
- Brachioradialis.
- Extensor carpi radialis brevis.
- Extensor carpi radialis longus.
- Extensor carpi ulnaris.
Can radial nerve damage be repaired?
Surgery. Most people with a radial nerve injury will recover within three months of starting treatment if the nerve is not torn or lacerated. But some cases ultimately require surgery. If your radial nerve is entrapped, surgery can relieve pressure on the nerve.
What are the symptoms of radial nerve damage?
Weakness, loss of coordination of the fingers. Problem straightening the arm at the elbow. Problem bending the hand back at the wrist, or holding the hand. Pain, numbness, decreased sensation, tingling, or burning sensation in the areas controlled by the nerve.
How do you treat a radial nerve injury?
First-line treatment
- analgesic or anti-inflammatory medications.
- antiseizure medications or tricyclic antidepressants (prescribed to treat pain)
- steroid injections.
- anesthetic creams or patches.
- braces or splints.
- physical therapy to help build and maintain muscle strength.
- massage.
- acupuncture.
How do you heal a radial nerve injury?
What are the motor and sensory functions of the radial nerve?
Motor functions – the triceps brachii and muscles in posterior compartment are affected. The patient is unable to extend at the forearm, wrist and fingers. Unopposed flexion of wrist occurs, known as wrist-drop. Sensory functions – all four cutaneous branches of the radial nerve are affected.
What kind of pain does the radial nerve have?
A compression neuropathy of the Posterior Interosseous Nerve (PIN) with pain only (no motor or sensory dysfunction) Compression of the sensory branch of the radial nerve as it exits the Brachioradialis; compression between Extensor carpi radialis longus and Brachioradialis at pronation (scissoring effect of ECRL and brachioradialis).
Where does the radial nerve terminate in the arm?
The nerve then terminates by dividing into two branches: Deep branch (motor) – innervates the muscles in the posterior compartment of the forearm. Superficial branch (sensory) – contributes to the cutaneous innervation of the dorsal hand and fingers. The radial nerve innervates the muscles located in the posterior arm and posterior forearm.
Where is the radial nerve in the axilla?
The radial nerve is one of the terminal branches of the posterior cord. In the axilla, it lies behind the axillary and upper brachial arteries and passes anterior to the tendons of teres minor, latissimus dorsi and subscapularis.