REFERENCES, GLOSSARY AND IMAGES FOR THE MEDIAN NERVE

The anterior interosseous nerve (volar interosseous nerve) is a branch of the median nerve that supplies the deep muscles on the anterior of the forearm, except the ulnar (medial) half of the flexor digitorum profundus.

Anti-inflammatory:

Any agent or substance that prevents or counteracts inflammation.

Arthritis:

Arthritis is a joint disorder which causes inflammation of the joint or multiple joints

Axilla:

The axilla is an area that lies underneath the shoulder joint, at the junction of the upper limb and the thorax. It's kind of a pathway through which neurovascular and muscular structures enter and leave the upper limb.

Biceps brachii:

Also referred to as biceps is a two-headed muscle that lies on the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow. Both heads arise on the scapula and join to form a single muscle belly which is attached to the upper forearm.

Brachialis:

The brachialis is a muscle in the upper arm that flexes the elbow joint. It lies deeper than the biceps and makes up part of the floor of the region known as the cubital fossa.

Branchial Artery:

This is a major blood vessel in the upper arm, It is the continuation of the axillary artery beyond the lower margin of teres major muscle. It continues down ventral surface of the arm until it reaches the cubital fossa at the elbow.

Brachial plexus:

The brachial plexus is a network of nerve fibers that supply the skin and musculature of the upper limb. It takes its root at the neck, passes through the axilla, and enters the upper arm.

Brachium:

This is the upper segment of the arm or forelimb from the shoulder to the elbow.

C5:

Which means the cervical spinal nerve 5, is a spinal nerve of the cervical segment.

Carpal tunnel:

Also, know as the carpal canal is a pathway on the palmar side of the wrist that connects the forearm to the hand. The tunnel is bounded by the bones of the wrist and flexor retinaculum from connective tissue.

Carpi Ulnaris Muscle:

Also known as the extensor carpi ulnaris is a skeletal muscle located on the ulnar side of the forearm. It acts to extend and adduct at the wrist from anatomical position.

Cubital fossa:

Also referred to as the elbow pit is the triangular area on the anterior view of the elbow of a human.

Cutaneous:

This relates to, existing on, or affecting the exterior skin; especially the cutis.

Diabetes:

This describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin or both. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia)

Distally:

This means to be anatomically located quite far from a point reference, such as an origin or point of attachment

Dysfunction:

This refers to a failure to function in an expected or complete manner. I also refer to a disorder in a bodily organ.

Endoscopic:

This implies the examination of a bodily orifice, canal or organ using an endoscope.

Fibrous:

Consisting of or characterized by fibers.

Flexor digitorum profundus:

This is a muscle in the forearm of humans that flexes the finger. It is considered an extrinsic hand muscle because it acts on the hand while its muscle belly is located in the forearm.

Flexor Muscles:

This is any of the muscles that decrease the angle between bones on the two sides of a joint, as in bending the elbow or knee.

Flexor pollicis brevis:

This is a muscle in the hand that flexes the thumb. It is a thenar muscle which has both a superficial part and a deep part

Flexor retinaculum:

This is a fibrous band on the palmar side of the hand near the wrist. It arches over the carpal bones of the hand covering them and forming the carpal tunnel.

Flexor digitorum superficials:

Is an extrinsic flexor muscle of the fingers at the proximal interphalangeal joints.

It flexes the middle phalanges of the finger at the proximal interphalangeal joints and wrist joint.

Hemorrhage:

Basically, this implies an escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel.

Index finger:

Also referred to as the forefinger, pointer finger, trigger finger, first finger and many other terms basically it is the first finger and second digit of the human hand. it is located between the first and third digits i.e between the thumb and the middle finger.

Incision:

Is a surgical cut made in skin or flesh.

Innervate:

To innervate simply means to supply nerves to, to stimulate or to supply with energy.

Interdigital Clefts:

This is the space between the digits (toes and finger).

Lateral:

This implies to the side or pertaining to the side.

lateral cords:

This is a cord of the nerve tissue that is formed by a union of the superior and middle trunks of the brachial plexus that forms one the two roots of the median nerve.

Ligaments:

Are a short band of tough, flexible fibrous connective tissue which connects two bones or cartilages or holds together a joint.

Lumbrical Muscles:

These are four short hand muscles located in the metacarpus deep to the palmar fascia. One feature of these muscles is that they originate from tendons instead of bony structure, making their origin surfaces quite moveable.

Musculature:

This implies the system or arrangement of muscles in a body, part of the body, or an organ.

Medial:

Simply implies occurring at the middle or extending towards the middle.

Mononeuropathy:

This is a type of damage to a particular nerve group outside the brain and spinal cord.

Nerve Entrapment:

This is a medical condition caused by direct pressure on a nerve. It is also known colloquially as a trapped nerve.

Nerve root:

A nerve root is an initial segment of a nerve leaving the central nervous system.

Nervous System:

Is a network of cells and fibers which transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body.

Neuropathy:

Basically, this refers to any disease of any form of injury to the peripheral nervous system.

Nonsteroidal:

Does not consist of or contains steroids.

Numbness:

Absent or reduced sensitivity to cutaneous stimulation

Opponens pollicis:

This is a small, triangular muscle in the hand, whose function is to oppose the thumb.

Palmar:

Simply implies pertaining to the palm i.e the grasping side of the hand.

Palmar cutaneous nerve:

It provides sensation to the radial/lateral palmar aspect of the hand at the base of the thumb. It is a branch of the median nerve from the lateral/radial aspect of the median nerve within the distal compartment of the forearm.

Palmar digital nerves:

This is a terminal branch of the median nerve, the palmar digital nerves run in the palmar surface of each digit close to the skin and superficial to the digital arteries.

Paresthesia:

This refers to a burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, but can also occur in other parts of the body. Although it happens without warning, it is usually painless and described as tingling or numbness, skin crawling, or itching. Actually, most of us have experienced temporary paresthesia, that feeling of "pins and needles" remember? yeah, that was it.

Physiotherapy:

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that assesses, diagnoses, treats, and works to prevent disease and disability through physical means. Physiotherapists are experts in movement and function who work in partnership with their patients.

Pronator quadratus:

This is a square shaped muscle on the distal forearm that acts to pronate (turn so the palm faces downwards) the hand. As it is on the anterior side of the arm, it is innervated by a branch of the median nerve, the anterior interosseous nerve

Ring finger:

The ring finger is the finger on which it is the custom in particular culture for a wedding ring to be placed during a wedding ceremony and on which the wedding ring is subsequently worn to indicate the status of the wearer as a married person.

Spinal Cord:

The spinal cord is a long, fragile and tube-like structure that begins at the end of the brain stem and continues down almost to the bottom of the spine. It consists of nerves that carry incoming and outgoing messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

Symptoms:

This is a perceived change in some function, sensation or appearance of a person that indicates a disease or disorder

Syndrome:

A group of symptoms which consistently occur together, or a condition characterized by a set of associated symptoms.

Synovium:

Also known as stratum synovial is a specialized connective tissue that lines the inner surface of capsules of synovial joints and tendon sheath. It makes direct contact with the synovial fluid lubricant, which it is primarily responsible for maintaining.

T1:

Which means thoracic spinal nerve 1 is a spinal nerve of the thoracic segment.

Tendon:

A tendon is a flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissues attaching a muscle to a bone.

The Brain:

The brain is an organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrates and most invertebrate animals. Usually located in the head, it is closer to the sensory organs such as vision. The brain happens the most complex organ in the body of a vertebrate.

The Forearm:

Basically, the forearm is that part of the arm between the wrist and the elbow.

The Muscle:

The muscle is a soft tissue found in most animals. Muscle cells are made up of protein filaments of actin and myosin that slide past one another producing contractions that change both the length and the shape of the cell. The main function of the muscle is to produce force and motion.

Thenar eminence:

This refers to the group of muscles on the palm of the human hand at the base of the thumb. The skin overlying this region is the area stimulated when trying to elicit a palmomental reflex.