Median nerve palsy

To polio n. medianus most often occurs due to injury in the anatomical narrows through which it passes.

Median nerve injury in the axilla
The median nerve arises from the union of the radix medialis and lateralis from the lateral and medial fasciculus. This connection arises in the axille, where it can be injured, for example, in case of 'dislocation articulatio humeri. Paralysis of this nerve can also occur in 'stabbing and gunshot wounds.

Median nerve injury on the forearm
N. medianus enters the forearm through the heads of m. pronator teres (canalis pronatorius). Here, this nerve can be pressed and the first three fingers tingling (ladies with heavy handbags). Here, too, he may be injured and subsequently paralyzed.

In the further course, it sinks between the second and third muscle layers of the flexors. In the distal part of the forearm, the median nerve enters superficially and lies just below the superficial fascia between the tendons of the m. flexor carpi radialis and m. palmaris longus. In this place, he is easily and most often vulnerable to even a shallow cut (e.g. when working with a circular saw, a collision with a window pane, a suicide attempt, etc.).

Median nerve injury in canalis carpi
From the distal part of the forearm, the median nerve then enters the canalis carpi, where it runs under the ''lig. carpi transversum''. In this place, this nerve is compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome. It can be injured by fractured wrists' eg Colles' fracture.

Image of polio
The function of the muscles innervated by the median nerve is disabled.

Manifestations on the forearm
By eliminating m. pronator teres there is an impossibility of pronation of the forearm. Another difficulty is during the flexion of the 2nd and 3rd fingers (removal of the flexors of the fingers). Flexion of the 4th and 5th fingers will be preserved thanks to the innervation exception of m. flexor digitorum profundus. Such an image of paralysis is called a swearing hand (preacher's hand).

Manifestations on the hand
Impairment of the muscles of the thumb (m. opponens pollicis), which is manifested by the impossibility of putting the thumb in opposition, i.e. 'monkey hand. 'Furthermore, it manifests itself in the impossibility of thumb flexion (flexors of the thumb except for the caput profundum m. flexoris pollicis brevis). There is animpossibility of flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint of the index finger'' (unable to scratch with the index finger).

On the hand, sensitivity disorders will also appear in the sensitive innervation area of ​​the median nerve (1st-3rd finger and half of the 4th on the volar side, the tips of these fingers on the dorsal side).

Related Articles

 * Canalis carpi syndrome
 * Colles' Fracture
 * Ulnar nerve palsy
 * Radial nerve palsy
 * Axillary nerve palsy
 * Brachial plexus paresis