Abstract

Background: Median nerve is formed in axilla by medial & lateral roots from medial & lateral cords of brachial plexus respectively. Variations of median nerve are not uncommon. Incidences of variations in lateral root are more common than that of medial root. This study was undertaken to find out the different ways by which lateral root contributes in formation of median nerve. These finding will provide anatomical basis for clinical correlation in case of neuropathies & surgeries of upper limb. Materials and Methods: 80 upper limbs were dissected to find out the variations of the lateral root in the formation of median nerve. Result and findings: Median nerve was formed in the axilla: - by one medial root & two lateral roots in 16.25% cases, one lateral root was thin & and the other was thick in 2.5% cases, 2nd lateral root joined the median nerve in middle third of arm in 2.5 % cases. In 11.25 % cases median nerve was formed in the middle 1/3rd of arm by medial & lateral root, 2nd lateral root joined it at lower 1/3rd of arm. In 2.5 % cases two small lateral roots joined the medial cord before it branched into ulnar nerve and medial root of median nerve ,a 3rd lateral root joined the medial root to form the median nerve. In 8.75 % median nerve was formed in axilla by one medial & two lateral roots; a 3rd lateral root joined it at lower part of axilla Conclusion: Though, formation of median nerve by several lateral roots is considered to be a rare variation, in our study we observed 41.25% variations of different types.

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