Anatomic features and clinical significance of superficial branch of radial nerve

Objective To report an atomical features and clinical significance of subcutaneous segment of superficial branch of radial nerve.Methods 42 adult upper limb specimens were applied in this study to dissect and observe the running and distribution of superficial branch of radial nerve.Results The superficial branch of radial nerve emerged from the brachioradialis at the distance of(8.33±1.16)cm before reaching styloid process of radius,then ran ahead between brachioradialis and flexor carpi radialis subcutaneously,at the distance of 4.58cm before reanching styloid process of radius,which divided into medial and lateral branch.The lateral branch ran ahead at the facies volaris of the styloid process of radius and became the sensory nerve of the thumb.At the distance of(1.32±0.26)cm and at the proximal end of styloid process of radius,the medial branch went dorsally divided into 2 branches at the midpiece of the first and second metacarpal bone,then became the sensory nerve of the hand dorsal.The angel between superficial branch of radial nerve and the brachioradialis was(20.7±3.16)°,The angel between medial and lateral branch was(18.0±4.4)°,and the length between them at the level of styloid process of radius was(1.4±0.23)cm.Conclusions In clinic,the superficial branch of radial nerve should be repaired as far as possible according to different injuried level.For elevating the operation quality,the wound surface should be repaired by skin flap containing superficial branch of radial nerve,and the superficial branch have to be put at the center of the skin flap.