Unusual innervation of thenar muscles

Kuntal VASHISHTHA, Subhash KAU

Abstract

One very unusual observation has been reported in this case report. We found seven thenar branches supplying the thenar musculature. One branch was arising from the main trunk of median nerve, second from the lateral aspect of lateral division of median nerve, third from the medial aspect of lateral division of median nerve, fourth from the lateral aspect of lateral division of median nerve slightly distal to second branch. Fifth, sixth and seventh were arising from the proper palmar digital nerve to the lateral aspect of thumb. Fifth branch was joining the fourth after forming a loop. Except for the first branch, which was subligamentous, all other branches were extraligamentous. All these branches were entering flexor pollicis brevis muscle proximally, three branches ended by supplying it and four supplied rest of the thenar muscles. To the best of our knowledge the seven thenar branches have not been described in published literature.