Muscle innervated by Median Nerve

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Welcome to our channel! In this video, we delve into an essential aspect of human anatomy: the muscles innervated by the median nerve. Whether you're studying for an anatomy exam or simply fascinated by the human body, understanding which muscles are controlled by the median nerve is crucial. Join us as we explore mnemonic techniques designed to make learning these muscles easy and memorable. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more educational content on anatomy and beyond! Let's dive into the world of muscles and the median nerve together.

Anatomical Course:

The median nerve arises from the medial and lateral cords of the brachial plexus, containing fibers from spinal roots C6-T1, sometimes including C5. It originates in the axilla and descends along the arm initially alongside the brachial artery. Midway down the arm, it crosses anteriorly over the artery, positioning itself medially. Upon entering the forearm through the cubital fossa, it courses between the heads of pronator teres before descending between the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus muscles. In the forearm, it branches into:

1. Anterior interosseous nerve: innervates deep muscles of the anterior forearm.
2. Palmar cutaneous nerve: supplies sensation to the lateral palm.

Continuing into the hand through the carpal tunnel, the median nerve divides into:

1. Recurrent branch: serves the thenar muscles.
2. Palmar digital nerves: innervate the palmar surface and fingertips of the lateral three and a half digits, with branches to the lateral two lumbrical muscles.

Motor Function:

The median nerve provides motor innervation to several muscles in the anterior forearm and certain intrinsic muscles of the hand.

In the forearm, the median nerve directly innervates muscles located in the superficial and intermediate layers:
- Superficial layer: pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, and palmaris longus.
- Intermediate layer: flexor digitorum superficialis.

Additionally, the median nerve gives rise to the anterior interosseous nerve, which supplies the deep flexors:
- Deep layer: flexor pollicis longus, pronator quadratus, and the lateral half of flexor digitorum profundus (with the medial half innervated by the ulnar nerve).

These muscles collectively contribute to forearm pronation, wrist flexion, and finger flexion.

Within the hand, the median nerve further innervates specific muscles through its branches:
- The recurrent branch innervates the thenar muscles, crucial for thumb movements.
- Palmar digital branches innervate the lateral two lumbrical muscles, involved in flexion at the metacarpophalangeal joints and extension at the interphalangeal joints of the index and middle fingers.

Sensory Function:

The median nerve provides sensory innervation to a portion of the hand through two distinct branches:

1. Palmar cutaneous branch: Originates in the forearm and extends into the hand, supplying sensation to the lateral aspect of the palm. Notably, this branch does not pass through the carpal tunnel and remains unaffected in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome.

2. Palmar digital cutaneous branches: Arising within the hand itself, these branches innervate the palmar surface and fingertips of the lateral three and a half digits.