Subject: Re: Nerves
Forum: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum
Topic Area: Neuralgia
Posted by CCF Neuro MD MJD on September 28, 1998 at 11:53:38:
In Reply to: Nerves posted by linda on September 28, 1998 at 01:58:08:

From the spine are sent out "roots" which combine to form various nerve of the arm. So although a muscle is generally suppplied by one single nerve of the arm, that muscle will often be supplied by several spinal roots. You seem interested in the nerves themselves and what they do so I'll tell you about them.
I'll give you the main functions or most well known muscles of the arm - there are other muscles not mentioned but I'm not sure if you want that detail.

Axillary Nerve - Supplies the Deltoid
Musculocutaneous Nerve - Supplies the Biceps and thus serves forearm flexion

The hand itself is supplied by three nerves:
Radial Nerve - which supplies the triceps and extensors of the wrist as well handles thumb and finger extension
Ulnar Nerve - supplies flexors of the ring and little finger and sensation on that side of palm and those fingers
Median Nerve - supplies pronators of the arm and helps in wrist flexion (along with the ulnar) but involves flexors of thumb anf first two fingers and sensation on that side of the palm / fingers

This is a simplistic version granted and there are some complexities (for example, the thumb's actions are mediated by the median,radial and ulnar), but it helps provide a rough guide.

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