The spinal root origins and clinical implications of the lower subscapular nerve

The purpose of this study was to define the spinal root origins of the lower subscapular nerve and the amounts of participating nerve fibers from each spinal root and to discuss the clinical implications. Using a method of separating the nerve fascicles that traces the particular nerve fibers at the intrafascicular level, the spinal root origins of the lower subscapular nerve appeared as two types. The first type comprised 76.9% and was composed of the C5, C6, and C7 roots; the second type comprised 23.1% and was composed of the C6 and C7 roots. The number of nerve fibers was 357.2 +/- 139.7 (mean +/- SD) derived from C5, 1070.4 +/- 390.6 from C6, and 500.0 +/- 285.4 from C7. The nerve fascicles comprising the lower subscapular nerve traveled within the partially common fascicles composed of the axillary nerve. Therefore, injury of the lower subscapular nerve may be accompanied by a lesion of the axillary nerve, which generally consists of C5 and C6 roots composing the posterior cord of the brachial plexus.     

Variation of the spinal nerve compositions of thoracodorsal nerve

Thoracodorsal nerve distributes to the latissimus dorsi muscle. The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomic variation of the spinal nerve compositions of thoracodorsal nerve and to confirm which spinal nerve is a main component in participating amount. The most frequent type was consisted of C7 and C8 in 60%. Next frequent type was C6, C7, and C8 in 25%. Third type was C6 and C7 in 10% and fourth type was C7 alone in 5%. The diameter of each spinal nerve comprising thoracodorsal nerve was 1.20 +/- 0.23 (mean +/- SD) mm at C7, 0.43 +/- 0.15 mm at C8, and 0.33 +/- 0.09 mm at C6. These results show that the C7 nerve was the main component of thoracodorsal nerve and the anatomic variation appeared at the spinal nerve that participate by small amounts, as be excepted (C6 and C8).     

Medial and lateral pectoral nerves: course and branches

During modified radical mastectomy or cosmetic surgery, denervation of the lower part of the pectoralis major frequently occurs and may reduce muscle spasm, with consequent better reconstruction of the breast. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the pectoral nerves and the pectoral muscles. Eight unembalmed female cadavers were dissected and vascular and radiologic studies performed. The lateral pectoral nerves showed a constant course, parallel to the thoraco-acromial vessels. They coursed for 55 +/- 7 mm inferomedially on the deep surface of pectoralis major, under its fascia. The medial pectoral nerves showed two main patterns of branching, which correlated with the extent of the costal attachments of the pectoralis minor muscles. In pattern A (56%), associated with costal attachments narrower than 6.0 cm, the nerve pierced the deep aspect of the pectoralis minor as a single trunk, ramified in the muscle, and gave some branches that appeared on the superficial aspect to enter the pectoralis major. In pattern B (44%), associated with costal attachments wider than 6.6 cm, the nerve divided before entering pectoralis minor and its branches passed through the muscle or round its lower border to reach pectoralis major. The most medial branch of the medial pectoral nerve directed to the pectoralis major muscle emerged from pectoralis minor at the third intercostal space in the midclavicular line, a mean of 10.3 cm lateral to the margin of the sternum. Knowledge of the relationship between the extent of the costal attachment of pectoralis minor and the two patterns of branching of the medial pectoral nerve may be useful when performing elective denervation of the major pectoralis muscle.     

胸前神经与改良乳癌根切术有关的研究

根据改良的乳癌根切术中为保存胸大小肌的形态和功能必须保存其神经的要求,在60侧成人尸体上观察了胸外侧神经和胸内侧神经与胸小肌、胸大肌各部各区的分布关系。据此提出了手术中保护神经的设计,并将之应用于临床实际。     

The pecs anesthetic blockade: A correlation between magnetic resonance imaging,ultrasound imaging,reconstructed cross‐sectional anatomy and cross‐sectional histology

The interfascial thoracic wall blockades Pecs I and Pecs II are increasingly applied in breast and axillary surgery. Despite the clear anatomical demarcations depicted at their introduction, the clinical outcome is more variable than would be expected based upon the described anatomy. In order to elucidate factors that explain this variability, we evaluated the spread of each injection—medial Pecs I, lateral Pecs I, the deep injection of the Pecs II—separately. A correlation of in vivo landmarks and ultrasound images with ex vivo ultrasound, reconstructed anatomical planes, histology and magnetic resonance imaging. The medial Pecs I, similar to the sagittal infraclavicular block positioning with needle position medial to the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial artery, reaches the medial and lateral pectoral nerves. The lateral Pecs I, below the lateral third of the clavicle at the level of the third rib with needle position lateral to the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial artery, additionally spreads to the axilla and reaches the intercostobrachial nerve. The deep Pecs II injection spreads to the lateral cutaneous part of the III–VI intercostal nerves and reaches the long thoracic nerve. The variability of the Pecs anesthetic blockades is driven by the selected Pecs I approach as only the lateral approach stains the intercostobrachial nerve. The pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial artery can serve as the landmark to differentiate the needle position of the medial and lateral Pecs I block. Clin. Anat. 32:421–429, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Some aspects of the communicating branch between the musculocutaneous and median nerves in man

Fascicular arrangement of the human brachial plexus is examined on 2 common cases and 3 peculiar cases in which a communicating branch was observed between the median and the musculocutaneous nerve. The musculocutaneous nerve consitss of spinal nerves from C.5, 6 and 7. The branch to the coracobrachialis receives its fibers from C.7 before it leaves the musculocutaneous nerve in 3 cases and after it leaves the musculocutaneous nerve in one case. In one case, C.7 does not send a branch to the coracobrachialis. The median nerve arises by two roots, one from the lateral cord, and the other from the medial cord of the brachial plexus. In a case in which a communicating branch was observed from the median nerve to the musculocutaneous, the fibers from C.7 join to the median nerve via the medial cord. Thus the median nerve involved all elements of the spinal nerve from C.5 to T.1. The elements of the median and the musculocutaneous nerves, therefore, are not affected by appearance of the communicating branch. The communicating branch between the median and the musculocutaneous nerves, consists of the fibers arose from C.5 and C.6, in all examined cases.     

Formation and distribution of the sural nerve based on nerve fascicle and nerve fiber analyses

The formation and distribution of the sural nerve are presented on the basis of an investigation of 31 legs of Japanese cadavers using nerve fascicle and fiber analyses. Nerve fibers constituting the medial sural cutaneous nerve were designated as 'T', whereas those constituting the peroneal communicating branch were designated as 'F'. In 74.2% of cases (23/31), the T and F fibers joined each other in the leg, whereas in 9.7% of cases (3/31) they descended separately. In 16.1% of cases (5/31), the sural nerve was formed of only the T fibers. The sural nerve gave off lateral calcaneal branches and medial and lateral branches at the ankle. The lateral calcaneal branches always contained T fibers. The medial branches consisted of only T fibers, whereas most of the lateral branches consisted of only F fibers (71.0%; 22/31). In addition to the T and F fibers, P fibers, which derived from the superficial and deep peroneal nerves, formed the dorsal digital nerves. The P fibers were entirely supplied to the medial four and one-half toes. However, they were gradually replaced by the T and F fibers in the lateral direction. The 10th proper dorsal digital nerve consisted of T fibers only (38.7%; 12/31), of F fibers only (19.4%; 6/31) or of both T and F fibers (38.7%; 12/31). These findings suggest that the T fibers are essential nerve components for the skin and deep structures of the ankle and heel rather than the skin of the lateral side of the fifth toe. The designation of the medial sural cutaneous nerve should be avoided and only the T fibers are appropriate components for naming as the sural nerve.     

颈椎脊神经沟内口和颈神经的观测

目的　探讨颈椎脊神经沟内口与颈神经受嵌压的关系。方法　取 2 0具成人尸体的颈椎标本 ,选用完整的成人颈椎 4 4套 ,测量颈椎脊神经沟内口的宽度和颈神经穿过脊神经沟内口时的横径 ,并统计两者之间的比值。结果　颈神经穿过脊神经沟内口处的横径为 :C3 为 2 .7± 0 .7mm ,C42 .7± 0 .7mm ,C5为 2 .8± 0 .8mm ,C64.8± 0 .9mm ,C75 .3± 1.1mm。脊神经沟内口的宽度分别为 :C3 为 5 .8± 1.0mm ,C45 .5± 0 .9mm ,C55 .6± 1.0mm ,C65 .5± 1.1mm ,C76 .2± 1.0mm ;颈神经穿过脊神经沟内口时的横径与脊神经沟内口宽度的比值 :C3 为 1∶2 .15 ,C41∶2 .0 5 ,C51∶1.98,C61∶1.14 ,C71∶1.18。结论　脊神经沟内口与穿过内口的颈神经受累关系密切 ,下颈段 (C6、C7)颈神经受累的机率大于上颈段 (C3 、C4)。     

胸小肌移植重建拇对掌功能的神经解剖学研究

目的为临床应用胸小肌移植重建拇对掌功能手术过程中神经吻接提供解剖学依据。方法解剖观测胸内侧神经及尺神经深支分支特点,比较相关神经有髓神经纤维数目,确定手术过程中神经吻接。结果胸内侧神经为胸小肌的主要支配神经,其在第3肋间隙近锁骨中线处入胸小肌,有髓神经纤维计数为(868±130)根;尺神经深支穿出内侧肌间隔后在第3、4掌骨间隙分别发出两明显肌支,其有髓神经纤维计数分别为(394±49)根、(708±78)根;P3L4(尺神经深支在第4掌骨间隙的分支,其分布于第3骨间掌侧肌和第4蚓状肌)与胸内侧神经、正中神经返支有髓神经纤维数目都比较接近。结论胸小肌移植重建拇对掌功能手术中,在切取胸小肌时以胸内侧神经作为供体神经,以第3肋间隙与锁骨中线交点为标记寻找该神经;尺神经深支中P3L4肌支与胸内侧神经吻合最匹配。     

Distribution pattern of the human lingual nerve

The tongue is an intricate organ with many functions. Despite the knowledge of the presence of muscular and neural connections in the tongue, a detailed neuroanatomical depiction of the nerves' topography in the tongue has not been demonstrated. The topography, branching patterns and neuronal interconnections of the lingual nerve were studied in five postmortem human tongues. They were stained with Sihler's stain, a technique that renders most of the tongue tissue translucent while counterstaining nerves. The lingual nerve reaches the tongue posterolaterally. There are two main branches off of the main trunk: the medial branch sends 2-4 small branches to the medial part of the ventrolateral tongue and the lateral branch runs along the lateral tongue border and sends 3-4 large branches to the anterior tip of tongue. Each subdivision gives off 2-5 distal branches. Both medial and lateral branches have interconnections with the proximal part of the hypoglossal nerve. One of the unexpected discoveries in this study was the high density of nervous fibers in the lateral aspect of the tongue as compared to the midline region. The average diameter of the main trunk of the lingual nerve is 3.5 mm. The medial and lateral branches average 1 mm in diameter, the more distal subdivisions measure 0.5-0.75 mm, and the lingual-hypoglossal interconnections measure 0.125-0.250 mm. In summary, this study provides the first detailed depiction of the topography of the human lingual nerve and its branches in situ, confirmation of lingual-hypoglossal nerve connection, and the first depiction of the high density of lingual nerve innervation in the lateral tongue.     

Morphological study of the ansa cervicalis and the phrenic nerve

Morphological features of ansa cervicalis and phrenic nerve were studied in 106 cadavers. Ansa cervicalis was located medial to the internal jugular vein in 63% (medial type) and lateral to the vein in 33.7% (lateral type). Ansa cervicalis was derived from a combination of C1-C4 spinal segments, with C1-C3 being the most frequent pattern (87.5%). In >60% the ansa was bilaterally symmetrical. The distribution of medial and lateral types was equal on left and right sides of the body. The segmental composition of the inferior root was higher in the medial type and also on the left side of the body. In the lateral type the branches that formed the inferior root frequently (75%) formed a common trunk before joining the superior root, but in 74.8% of the medial type they joined the superior root independently. The phrenic nerve was derived from C4 and C5 in 52%. The C4 segment was present in the phrenic nerve in all cases except one. Additional phrenic components that pass anterior to the subclavian vein were defined as accessory phrenic nerves and found in 28.7%, while those passing posterior to the same vein were defined as secondary phrenic nerves (19.8%). Most of the accessory phrenic nerves contained a C5 segment and the nerve to subclavius was the commonest source. Various relationships between the ansa cervicalis and the phrenic nerve are investigated and, based on these findings, two separate classifications for the two nerves are suggested.     

Surgical anatomy of the pectoral nerves and the pectoral musculature

The pectoral nerves (PNs) may be selectively injured through various traumatic mechanisms such as direct trauma, hypertrophic muscle compression, and iatrogenic injuries (breast surgery and axillary node dissection, pectoralis major muscle transfers). The PN may be surgically recovered through nerve transfers. They may also be used as donors to the musculocutaneous, axillary, long thoracic, and spinal accessory nerves and for reinnervation of myocutaneous free flaps. Thus, in this article, we reviewed the surgical anatomy of PN. A meta-analysis of the available literature showed that the lateral pectoral nerve (LPN) arises most frequently with two branches from the anterior divisions of the upper and middle trunks (33.8%) or as a single root from the lateral cord (23.4%). The medial pectoral nerve (MPN) usually arises from the medial cord (49.3%), anterior division of the lower trunk (43.8%), or lower trunk (4.7%). The two PN are usually connected immediately distal to the thoracoacromial artery by the so-called ansa pectoralis. The MPN may also show communications with the intercostobrachial nerve. In 50%-100% of cases, it may pass, at least with some branches, through the pectoralis minor muscle. The LPN supplies the upper portions of the pectoralis major muscle; the MPN innervates the lower parts of the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor muscle. Among the accessory muscles of the pectoral girdle, the LPN may also innervate the tensor semivaginae articulationis humero-scapularis, pectoralis minimus, sternoclavicularis, axillary arch, sternalis, and infraclavicularis muscles; the MPN may innervate the pectoralis quartus, chondrofascialis, axillary arch, chondroepitrochlearis, and sternalis muscles.     

颈椎脊神经沟及其沟内段脊神经形态学观察

目的　探讨脊神经沟与沟内段脊神经受嵌压的关系。方法　取 6 0具成尸 (男 2 8,女 32 ) 12 0侧颈椎 ,对脊神经沟外口宽度、深度及其沟内段脊神经前支横径进行观察 ,并统计脊神经前支横径与脊神经沟外口宽度之比。结果　①脊神经沟外口宽度、深度自颈 3至颈 6均逐渐增大 ,其平均值分别为 4 5± 1 2mm和4 3± 1 2mm ;② 3到 7颈神经前支横径逐渐增大 ,平均值为 2 9± 1 0mm ;③颈神经前支横径与脊神经沟外口宽度之比 ,颈 5最小 (1∶1 5 4 ) ,颈 4次之 (1∶1 6 7) ,颈 3最大 (1∶1 75 )。结论　脊神经沟与沟内段脊神经受累关系密切 ,下颈段 (5、6 )颈神经受累机率可能大于上颈段 (3、4 )。     

Anatomy of the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves with observations of their spinal nerve contributions

Proper anesthesia and knowledge of the anatomical location of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves is important during hernia repair and other surgical procedures. Surgical complications have also implicated these nerves, emphasizing the importance of the development of a clear topographical map for use in their identification. The aim of this study was to explore anatomical variations in the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves and relate this information to clinical situations. One hundred adult formalin fixed cadavers were dissected resulting in 200 iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerve specimens. Each nerve was analyzed for spinal nerve contribution and classified accordingly. All nerves were documented where they entered the abdominal wall with this point being measured in relation to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). The linear course of each nerve was followed, and its lateral distance from the midline at termination was measured. The ilioinguinal nerve originated from L1 in 130 specimens (65%), from T12 and L1 in 28 (14%), from L1 and L2 in 22 (11%), and from L2 and L3 in 20 (10%). The nerve entered the abdominal wall 2.8 ± 1.1 cm medial and 4 ± 1.2 cm inferior to the ASIS and terminated 3 ± 0.5 cm lateral to the midline. The iliohypogastric nerve originated from T12 on 14 sides (7%), from T12 and L1 in 28 (14%), from L1 in 20 (10%), and from T11 and T12 in 12 (6%). The nerve entered the abdominal wall 2.8 ± 1.3 cm medial and 1.4 ± 1.2 cm inferior to the ASIS and terminated 4 ± 1.3 cm lateral to the midline. For both nerves, the distance between the ASIS and the midline was 12.2 ± 1.1 cm. To reduce nerve damage and provide sufficient anesthetic for nerve block during surgical procedures, the precise anatomical location and spinal nerve contributions of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves need to be considered.     

Fiber arrangements of nerves belonging to ventral and dorsal divisions in the proximal region of the brachial plexus: a study using fluorescence of DiI and DiO in adult rats

The motor and sensory fiber arrangements in the proximal region of the spinal nerves are important for understanding the relationship of the peripheral nerves to neuron distribution. On the other hand, the fiber arrangements are also important for the treatment of peripheral nerve grafting. We studied the fiber arrangements of two divisions (ventral and dorsal) in the proximal region of the brachial plexus and the fiber arrangements of the lateral cutaneous rami in Th7 and Th8 intercostal nerves in adult rats with a method using the fluorescent pigments DiI and DiO. Results showed that fiber arrangements belonging to the two divisions have a specific separate distribution in the distal region. However, this specific separate distribution form was absent in the proximal region of the spinal nerves in the plexus. Fiber arrangements of the lateral cutaneous ramus in the anterior branches of the thoracic nerves (intercostal nerves) were also observed in comparison with those in the brachial plexus by the same method. In the intercostal nerves, fibers of the lateral cutaneous ramus were distributed in the dorsal portion from distal to proximal. These results suggest that there are two types of fiber arrangement in the proximal regions of the spinal nerves: a ventrodorsal distributional type, comprising intercostal nerves and the dorsal branches of the spinal nerves; and a mixed type, comprising the anterior branches of the cervical and brachial (and perhaps lumbar) plexuses. On the other hand, fibers of the lateral cutaneous rami in the intercostal nerves were distributed on the dorsal part of the nerves. These results of fiber arrangement analysis for the intercostal nerves may offer an opportunity to improve the effect of treatments using peripheral nerve grafting and suturing in the brachial and lumbar plexus with intercostal nerves.     

胸内、外侧神经与肌皮神经吻接的应用解剖

在专供研究用的18具(男9,女9)成人尸体上解剖,观察了36侧胸内、外侧神经和肌皮神经。胸内、外侧神经主干长度分别为42.81±4.18mm和40、55±3.12mm,主干入肌处的宽度分别为1.29±0.09mm和1.57±0.09mm,厚度分别为0.63±0.04mm和0.68±0.05mm。胸内侧神经中有28侧(77.8%)发出1-3支分支入肌,其上支长度为30.69±2.61mm;胸外侧神经中有26侧(72.2%)发出1-3支分支入肌,其上支长度为35.97±3.22mm。肌皮神经的自然长度为43.87±3.41mm,无损伤分离出的长度为22.94±2.17mm,起始处的宽、厚度分别为2.90±0.11mm和1.76±0.07mm。肌皮神经起点与胸内、外侧神经起点之间的距离分别为43.14±3.81mm和50.57±3.71mm。     

Spinal origins of the nerve branches innervating the coracobrachialis muscle: clinical implications

The coracobrachialis muscle (Cb M) receives nerve branches from the musculocutaneous nerve (Mc N). Many textbooks describe that the Cb M is innervated by the C5, C6, and C7 spinal nerves. The present study was performed to identify the spinal nerve composition of the nerve branches innervating the Cb M and to evaluate the number of myelinated axons of the nerve branches. Two types of spinal nerve compositions were observed: type I, composed of both C6 and C7 nerves, comprised 88.9% (40/45) of the sides; and type II, composed of only C7 nerves, comprised 11.1% (5/45) of the sides. Of the type I branches, 245.4 ± 26.3 (mean ± SD, range 201–267) of the myelinated nerve fibers were derived from C6 and 520.0 ± 41.8 (range 469–567) of the fibers were derived from C7. Of the type II branches, 836.4 ± 125.5 (range 709–991) of the nerve fibers were derived from C7. Imbroglio Modometer version 2.0 was used to count the number of fibers innervating the Cb M. The main component of these nerve branches was the C7 spinal nerve. The C5 spinal nerve, did not contribute to innervating the Cb M in the present study. The number of branches varied from one to four, with C7 being concentrated in the first and second branches. Therefore, these two branches may be suitable for the neurotization procedure as a donor nerve at the upper trunk (C5 and C6) lesion of the brachial plexus.     

Semiquantifying of fascicles of the C7 spinal nerve in the upper and lower subscapular nerves innervating the subscapularis and its clinical inference in Erb's palsy

To elucidate anatomic basis of susceptibility for contracture of the subscapularis muscle in Erb's palsy of the brachial plexus, we semiquantitatively studied the spinal nerve origins of the subscapular nerves innervating the subscapularis, with special reference to the contribution of C7 innervation to the subscapularis. Thirty‐three sides of formalin‐fixed upper extremities were dissected to obtain the intact brachial plexus. After immersed in 10% acetic acid for 2 weeks, the upper and lower subscapular nerves innervating the whole subscapularis, were dissected retrogradely to verify their spinal nerve origins. The cross‐sectional area by C7 innervation and that by the upper trunk innervation was calculated respectively to obtain the constituent percentage of different components in the upper and lower subscapular nerves. In the upper subscapular nerve, fascicles of C7 accounted for 0% (interquartile range, 0–1.1%) of cross‐sectional area and those of the upper trunk, 100% (98.9–100%). In the lower subscapular nerve, fascicles of C7 accounted for 40.5% (23.5–47.5%) and those of the upper trunk, 59.5% (52.5–76.5%). In total, 18.6% (13.3–27.3%) of fascicles in the subscapular nerves innervating the subscapularis originated from C7, while 81.4% (72.7–86.7%) of those came from the upper trunk. It is confirmed that innervation of the subscapularis originates from more spinal cord segments than that of infraspinatus and teres minor, and this may be the main reason for which in Erb's palsy, functional recovery of the subscapularis is often faster than that of lateral rotators of the shoulder, resulting in medial rotation contracture of the shoulder. Clin. Anat., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.