A rare variation of cutaneous innervation of dorsum of hand by posterior interosseous nerve

Abstract

Anatomical knowledge of variation of cutaneous supply of hand is required to the anesthetist to give local anesthesia and to the surgeon for various operations around wrist. The present case was reported to enlighten the knowledge of anatomists as well as to the clinicians. During routine dissection of 70 year old male cadaver a rare variation of distribution of posterior interosseous nerve on dorsum of hand of right side was observed. The adjacent sides of index and middle fingers supplied by posterior interosseous nerve. Cutaneous nerve supply of thumb and lateral side of index finger was by three proper digital branches from superficial division of radial nerve and rest was supplied by ulnar nerve. Anatomical knowledge of this variation will be useful to anaesthetists and surgeons during various operations.

Keywords

• deep branch of radial nerve
• pseudoganglion
• exetensor retinaculum.