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Radial and Ulnar Digital Nerves Index, Long, Ring and Little

  • The digital nerves are branches of the common digital nerves which originate from the median and ulnar nerves.
  • The digital nerves supply sensation to the skin via the free nerve endings, the Pacinian corpuscles, and the Meissner’s corpuscles.
Diagrams & Photos
  • The diagram shows the radial digital nerves, the ulnar digital nerves, and the common digital nerves originating from the median and ulnar nerves.
    The diagram shows the radial digital nerves, the ulnar digital nerves, and the common digital nerves originating from the median and ulnar nerves.
  • Nerve with axons enclosed in endoneurium (1); Fascicle enclosed in perineurium (2); Fascicular groups enclosed in connective tissue called internal epineurium (3); Internal epineurium (4); External epineurium (5); Epineural blood vessels (6).
    Nerve with axons enclosed in endoneurium (1); Fascicle enclosed in perineurium (2); Fascicular groups enclosed in connective tissue called internal epineurium (3); Internal epineurium (4); External epineurium (5); Epineural blood vessels (6).
Key Points
  • The digital nerves are held in place by the Grayson’s and Cleland’s retention ligaments.
  • The digital nerves lie palmar (superficial) to the arteries in the finger and dorsal (deep) to the common digital arteries in the palm.
  • The common digital nerves are dorsal to the superficial intermetacarpal ligaments (Skoog's ligaments).