The course of the radial nerve in relation to the humerus: a cadaveric study in a Kenyan adult population

Abstract

Background: The radial nerve arises from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. It descends distally to the spiral groove of the humerus. The upper and lower margins of this groove form important landmarks relative to the acromion process, medial and lateral epicondyles of the humerus.

Objective: To describe the course of the radial nerve in relation to the humerus in a Kenyan adult population.

Methods: Dissections were done on fifty-nine left sided formalin fixed adult upper extremities obtained from the Human Anatomy Laboratory of Moi University. Data was recorded and analysed using SPSS version 21.

Results: The average humeral length was 314.4 ± 21.4mm. The radial nerve was located 140.8 ± 17.2 mm from the tip of the acromion. It exited the spiral groove 185.1 ± 21.7mm from the tip of the acromion and 132.1 ± 19.4 mm from the lateral epicondyle. The midpoint of the nerve at the spiral groove to the medial epicondyle was about half the humeral length.

Conclusions: The radial nerve was located at the middle third of the humerus shaft. The midpoint of the nerve while in the groove relative to the medial epicondyle was about half the humeral shaft length.

Keywords: Spiral groove of the humerus, Humerus shaft fractures, Triceps muscle