A Morphological Study Of The Sensory Innervation Of Hand In South India With Its Clinical Implications

INTRODUCTION: The sensory innervation of the hand is getting a lot of attention because of the quick surge in the usage of local anesthesia and the progress of plastic surgeries. It is significant to know the likely disparities in the sensory innervation of the hand to prevent mistakes while analyzing the symptoms or misdiagnosing the nerve pathology. So this study aims to assess the sensory innervation of the hand. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study was carried out on 54 upper limbs. All the branches of the median, ulnar and radial nerve were traced. Variations in the distribution and anastomoses were noted. RESULTS: Anastomosis between the median and ulnar nerve was found in 12.95% of cases. In all cadavers, 3 1⁄2 digits are supplied by the median nerve and 1 1⁄2 digits by the ulnar nerve bilaterally in the palms. In all cadavers 2 1⁄2 digits, each is supplied by radial and ulnar nerve bilaterally on the dorsum of hands. CONCLUSION: These anatomic conclusions will aid hand surgeons in identifying differences in sensory losses after either dorsal or palmar injuries.