Complete absence of lateral root of median nerve and communication of musculocutaneous nerve with median nerve--a case report

This is a case of unique variation of median nerve and unusual communication with musculocutaneous nerve. This is found during routine dissection of right axilla of middle aged male cadaver. On dissection it is found that the usual branch like lateral pectoral nerve, musculocutaneous nerve are coming out from lateral cord. But there is no lateral root of median nerve taking origin from lateral cord. Medial root of median nerve originates from medial cord that descends along the medial side of the axillary artery and makes a communication with musculocutaneous nerve infront of the axillary artery. Variations in the formation, arrangements and communication of brachial plexus is very common. The knowledge of this anatomic variation is very valuable and important to surgeon for radical neck surgery, fracture dislocation of shaft of humerus; to anaesthetists for brachial plexus block; to neurologist and anatomist also.