The anatomical investigation of the course and branching patterns of the superficial branch of radial nerve

The superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN) may be injured by different reasons in the clinic and depending on this condition, neurological sign and semptoms may be occured. The anatomical variations and morphometric properties of the nerve should be known well for preventing the nerve injuries which may be occured during the surgical procedures. In this study, anatomical and morphometric properties of SBRN were evaluated in the forearm, wrist and hand region. Fourty forearms belong to twenty one fetuses were dissected to determine the anatomical course of the SBRN in distal forearm. Anatomical variations of SBRN in the dorsal forearm region were assessed in three types (Type-1, Type-2 and Type-3), innervation properties in the dorsal hand region were assessed in four types (Type-1, Type-2, Type-3 and Type-4). The distance between the point that the SBRN emerged to the deep fascia and the radial styloid process (PRM-1) and the distance between the point where the SBRN gave its first branch and the radial styloid process (PRM-2) was measured. The forearm length was divided three equal part as proximal 1/3 (P1/3), middle 1/3 (M1/3) and distal 1/3 (D1/3) and emerging point of SBRN was determined as topographically. Moreover, the relation of the SBRN to the lateral antebrachial cutaneus nerve (LACN), anatomic snuffbox and cephalic vein was determined. The most frequently seen variation type of SBRN in the forearm was Type-1 (%87.5), in the hand was Type-3 (%32.5). According to achieved values, in all fetuses, the mean PRM-1 was determined as 1.51 cm and PRM-2 was 1.01 cm. In %32.5 of the forearm, there was nerve branches provides connections between LACN and SBRN or its terminal branches. In %50 of the forearms, it was found that the branches separated from SBRN passed within the borders of anatomic snuffbox. It was determined that cephalic vein or its tributaries crosed over the SBRN superficially on the different zones of the forearm and crossing type and number showed quite much variability. SBRN was coursed through to distal by mostly emerging the M1/3 of forearm. In conclusion, knowing to anatomic variations and morphometric properties of SBRN will aid to minimize nerve injuries performed in clinical applications in forearm, wrist and hand region.