Median Nerve (Human Anatomy): Image, Functions, Diseases and Treatments

The Median Nerve is a nerve that transmits touch, pain, and temperature sensations from the lower hand and arm to the brain. If the Median Nerve is pinched, it might result in carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes wrist pain and difficulty grasping and holding objects.The Median Nerve is also responsible for helping to move the forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers and for providing sensation to the forearm and certain parts of the hand.

The Median Nerve is one of five branches of the brachial plexus, a complex network of nerves that aids in the movement of your shoulders, arms, and hands and the transmission of sensory information. The brachial plexus begins as nerve roots in the neck's cervical spine and travels into the armpit beneath the collarbone.

The Median Nerve begins in the armpit and links to nerve roots in the brachial plexus, which extend from the C5 to C8 cervical vertebrae and the T1 thoracic vertebrae. It travels along the inner aspect of the upper arm between the biceps and triceps tendons, near the brachial artery, crosses in front of the brachial artery, and then passes beneath a band of connective tissue in the cubital fossa.

After that, it moves in the same direction that the ulnar nerve does when it descends the forearm. At this point, it begins to split into a number of smaller nerves that will eventually go via the carpal tunnel in the wrist and into the hand. There is a left Median Nerve, and a right Median Nerve since the two sides of the body each have their own Median Nerve.

The Median Nerve has several branches, including the muscular branch, which controls movement in the forearm's superficial muscles close to the skin. The deep (volar interosseous) branch, which controls deeper muscles in the forearm's front part, and the palmar branch, send sensory information to and from the palm, thumb, and some fingers.

Arm nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system, which carries impulses from the brain to the upper and lower limbs and specific organs. The axillary, musculocutaneous, radial and ulnar nerves are four more nerves in the arm that aid in movement and feeling.

When the median nerve is compressed:

• It can produce pain in the hands or wrists and numbness, paralysis, or tingling in the affected area.
• You awaken in the middle of the night, complaining of hand pain.
• Pain, a burning sensation, or tingling in the forearm could be the symptom.
• Help with writing, typing, or grasping objects might be challenging.
• Painful sensation in the elbow. It was the wasting away of muscle in the thumb (a rare symptom).

The median nerve is a nerve that runs from the shoulder down the arm and into the hand. It provides feeling and movement to parts of the hand and fingers.

If someone has a problem with their median nerve, they might experience some of the following signs:

• Weakness in the hand and fingers: If the median nerve is not working correctly, it can cause weakness in the hand and fingers, making it difficult to hold or grip objects.
• Pain in hand and fingers: The median nerve can also cause pain in the hand and fingers, especially if it is squeezed or pinched.
• Difficulty with hand movements: The median nerve is also responsible for specific hand movements, such as extending the wrist or moving the thumb. If someone has a problem with their median nerve, they might have difficulty with these movements.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome: It is a syndrome that develops when the median nerve is compressed by swelling tissue surrounding the carpal tunnel, a small opening in the wrist. The fingers and wrist may experience pain, numbness, and weakness.
• Pronator teres syndrome: It is a disorder that develops when the median nerve is pinched by the pronator teres muscle, a muscle located close to the elbow. It may result in numbness or paralysis in the thumb and fingers and dull, throbbing discomfort in the forearm.
• Distal median nerve dysfunction is a condition brought on by an issue with the nerve that connects the arm's upper portion to the hand. It may result in discomfort, tingling, and numbness in the fingers.
• Median nerve palsy: it is a rare disorder that causes the loss of muscle control in the hand and arm. Symptoms may include difficulty moving the fingers and hand, weakness, paralysis, or pain in one or more fingers.

• Electromyogram (EMG): This particular test measures the electricity inside your muscles. It can help doctors determine if there is a problem with the nerves that control your muscles.
• Nerve conduction tests: These are tests that measure how well your nerves send messages to your muscles. They can help doctors determine if there is a problem with your nerves, like carpal tunnel syndrome or a problem with the nerve in your arm.
• Neuromuscular ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to make pictures of your muscles and nerves. It can help doctors determine if there is a problem with your nerves, like carpal tunnel syndrome or a problem with the nerve in your arm.
• Nerve biopsy: This is a specific procedure where the doctor takes a small piece of your nerve and looks at it under a microscope. It can help them determine if there is a problem with their nerves, like carpal tunnel syndrome or a problem with the nerve in their arm.
• Magnetic resonance: This test uses magnets and radio waves to make pictures of the inside of your body. It can help doctors determine if there is a problem with your nerves, like carpal tunnel syndrome or a problem with the nerve in your arm.
• Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to make pictures of the inside of your body. It can help doctors determine if there is a problem with your nerves, like carpal tunnel syndrome or a problem with the nerve in your arm.
• X-ray: This test uses invisible energy to make pictures of the inside of your body. It can help doctors determine if there is a problem with your nerves, like carpal tunnel syndrome or a problem with the nerve in your arm.

• Wearing a splint: If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, wearing a special brace on your wrist may help take some pressure off the median nerve.
• Interventions to prevent nerve damage: There are some things you can do to help protect your median nerve from getting damaged. For example, you can wear a hand splint and avoid putting too much stress on your fingers.
• Carpal tunnel release surgery: If wearing a hand splint and other non-surgical treatments do not help with your symptoms, you may need surgery to take the pressure off the median nerve.
• Open carpal tunnel release surgery removes the entire nerve root and any parts of the wrist that are pressing on the median nerve. It may be necessary if other treatments have not helped.
• Endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery: This surgery uses a small camera and a thin tube to remove the pressure on the median nerve. It may be necessary if other treatments have not helped.

• Analgesics for pain in the median nerve: Some examples of analgesics that may be used to treat pain in the median nerve include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). These medications can also help reduce inflammation.
• Local anaesthetics for numbness in the median nerve: Local anaesthetics are medications used to numb a specific body area. They can be injected into the carpal tunnel to help reduce numbness in the median nerve.
• Muscle relaxants for stiffness in the median nerve: Muscle relaxants are medications that reduce muscle stiffness and pain. Some examples of muscle relaxants that may be used to treat stiffness in the median nerve include diazepam, carisoprodol, and meprobamate.
• Antibiotics for infection in the median nerve: Antibiotics are medications used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Some examples of antibiotics that may be used to treat an infection of the median nerve include penicillin, amoxicillin, and ciprofloxacin.
• Nutritional supplements for reducing pain in the median nerve: Nutritional supplements are substances you can take to help your body get the nutrients it needs. Some supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium, may help reduce pain and inflammation in the median nerve.
• Antivirals for treating infection of the median nerve: Antivirals are drugs used to treat viral infections. Acyclovir, zidovudine, and lamivudine can treat a viral median nerve infection.

• Use good body mechanics: This means using good posture and being careful with how you move your body when you use your hands and arms. It's essential to avoid bending your wrists too far up or down when you use your hands.
• Take frequent breaks: If you do activities that involve using your hands a lot, like typing or playing a musical instrument, it's essential to take breaks and give your hands a rest.
• Use proper hand positioning: When you use a mouse or keyboard, make sure to position your hands in a way that keeps your wrists straight and doesn't bend them too much.
• Use a hand splint: If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, wear a special brace on your wrist to help take some of the pressure off your median nerves.
• Stretch your wrists and hands regularly: Stretching your wrists and hands can help reduce tension and make them feel better. Try doing some wrist stretches every day.
• Avoid activities that put excessive stress on your wrists and hands: Avoid lots of griping or putting pressure on your wrists and hands for a long time, like using a heavy tool.

It's a good idea to talk to a doctor if you have any concerns about your median nerves or if you are experiencing any symptoms related to problems with these nerves. Some symptoms to watch out for include:

• Numbness or tingling in the fingers or hand
• Pain in hand or wrist
• Weakness in the hand or wrist
• Difficulty moving the fingers or hand.
• Loss of muscle control in the hand or arm