Microsurgery anatomy study and its clinical significance of the end part of the posterior interosseous nerve

Objective To investigate the microsurgery anatomy study of the end part of the posterior interosseous nerve and provide a theory basis for clinical practice. Methods Thirty six adult cadavers of the upper extremity were involved in the study. The course, branches, distribution and its adjacent relationship of the end part of the posterior interosseous nerve were observed under 10～16 fold microscope. Results The end part of the posterior interosseous nerve innervated the area of extensor muscles of the wrist and finger and the dorsal periosteum of the ulna and radial bone. At the wrist the innervation areas included tissues surrounding the digital extensor tendon, joint capsule and ligament of the dorsal wrist, synovial membrane, the myolemma of the dorsal interosseous muscle and the dorsal periosteum of the 3rd,4th metacarpal bone. There was communicating branch connecting with the deep branch of ulna nerve. Conclusion The end part of the posterior interosseous nerve is an important sensory nerve that innervated the dorsal wrist and the deep tissues of dorsal hand, injury of which may cause pain of dorsal wrist.