The radial nerve and its branches provide innervation the following muscles (See Structure and Function for specific nerve branch innervations and muscle actions)[7]:

  • Abductor pollicis longus.
  • Anconeus.
  • Brachioradialis.
  • Extensor carpi radialis brevis.
  • Extensor carpi radialis longus.
  • Extensor carpi ulnaris.

What does the radial nerve do in the hand?

It helps you move your arm, wrist, and hand. The radial nerve travels down the arm and supplies movement to the triceps muscle at the back of the upper arm. It also provides extension to the wrist, and helps in movement and sensation of the wrist and hand.

Which part of the hand does the radial nerve supply?

It supplies, usually, the radial half of the back of the hand, the back of the thumb, and part of the back of the index. The deep branch of the radial nerve, also known as the posterior interosseous nerve, is a motor nerve. It passes through the supinator, and emerges here, deep to extensor digitorum.

Which of the following nerves innervate the hand?

median nerve
The median nerve is responsible for the cutaneous innervation of part of the hand. This is achieved via two branches: Palmar cutaneous branch – arises in the forearm and travels into the hand.

What happens if the radial nerve is damaged?

This nerve controls movement and sensation in the arm and hand and extension of the elbow, wrist and fingers. Radial nerve palsy is a condition that affects the radial nerve and if damage to this nerve occurs, weakness, numbness and an inability to control the muscles served by this nerve may result.

How do you treat nerve damage in the hand?

Depending on the severity of the injury and the patient’s medical history, a hand specialist might recommend rest and immobilization. Or a physician could determine that occupational therapy is the best answer. In some cases, surgery could be necessary to decompress, graft, or repair the nerve.

Can radial nerve damage be permanent?

In some cases, complications may occur, including: Partial or complete loss of feeling in the hand: If the radial nerve doesn’t heal completely, numbness may be permanent. Partial or complete loss of wrist or hand movement: If the radial nerve doesn’t heal completely, weakness may be permanent.

What happens if a nerve is cut?

When a nerve is cut, both the nerve and the insulation are broken. Injury to a nerve can stop the transmission of signals to and from the brain, preventing muscles from working and causing loss of feeling in the area supplied by that nerve.

Where does the radial nerve provide sensory innervation?

The radial nerve and its branches provide motor innervation to the dorsal arm muscles (the triceps brachii and the anconeus) and the extrinsic extensors of the wrists and hands; it also provides cutaneous sensory innervation to most of the back of the hand, except for the back of the little finger and adjacent half of the ring finger (which are …

Where does the radial nerve terminate in the arm?

The nerve then terminates by dividing into two branches: Deep branch (motor) – innervates the muscles in the posterior compartment of the forearm. Superficial branch (sensory) – contributes to the cutaneous innervation of the dorsal hand and fingers. The radial nerve innervates the muscles located in the posterior arm and posterior forearm.

Where do the nerves in the hand come from?

These vessels, which branch off in the hand into smaller nerves upon crossing the wrist, come from three major nerves that run all the way down the arm: the radial, median, and ulnar nerves.

What causes constriction of the radial nerve in the wrist?

long-term constriction of your wrist. The most common causes of radial nerve injury are breaking your arm, overusing your arm, and sports and work accidents. Depending on the level of injury, you …