A Cadaveric Study of the Formation of Median Nerve in the Infraclavicular Part of the Brachial Plexus.

Background and objectives: Variations in the formation of median nerve are common and knowledge of these variations is useful during surgical procedures in the axilla and for treatment of fractures and for nerve blocks in anesthesia. Methods: The axilla and arm were dissected in 25 cadavers and the infraclavicular part of the brachial plexus was explored. The formation of median nerve and its relations to axilllary artery were observed. Results: The median nerve was formed by two lateral roots from lateral cord and one medial root from medial cord in 21 specimens and three lateral roots and one medial root in 2 specimens. In one specimen median nerve was formed posterior to axillary artery. The second lateral root was long and united with the median nerve at the level of insertion of coracobrachialis in one specimen. Two medial roots from medial cord were found uniting with one lateral root to form median nerve in one upper limb Conclusion: The variations in the formation of median nerve are essential for medical professionals for surgical exploration of the axilla.