Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

Structured Motor Rehabilitation After Selective Nerve Transfers
Published on: August 15, 2019
Triceps innervation pattern: implications for triceps nerve to deltoid nerve transfer
Obaid Al-Meshal1, Alain Gilbert2
1King Fahad National Guard Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), P.O. Box 22490, Mail Code 1446, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
There are multiple nerve branches supplying the triceps. Traditionally, the nerve to the long head of triceps is utilized for nerve transfer to neurotize the deltoid muscle in patients with brachial plexus injuries. However, no anatomical studies were done to investigate which triceps nerve would be preferred for nerve transfer. This anatomical study was carried out to describe the innervation pattern of the triceps muscle to investigate the preferred triceps nerve for nerve transfer. Twenty-five cadaveric arms were dissected. The long head of the triceps received a single branch in 23 cases (92%) and double branches in 2 cases (8%) only. The medial head had a single branch in 22 cases (88%) and double branches in 3 cases (12%). The lateral head was the most bulky one and received more than one branch in all cases (100%), ranging from 2 to 5 branches. The transfer of the most proximal branch to the lateral head of the triceps seems to be the most preferred choice for deltoid muscle innervation.
Related Concept Videos
Spinal Nerves: Plexus I
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...
Muscles that Move the Arm
The pectoralis major has two origins. Its clavicular head originates on the medial half of the clavicle. In contrast, the sternocostal head originates on the costal cartilages of ribs 1-6, the sternum, and the aponeurosis of the external oblique of the...
Muscles that Move the Forearm
Forearm Flexors
The biceps brachii, brachialis, and brachioradialis are forearm flexors. The biceps brachii is made up of two heads. Its long head originates at the supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula, whereas that of the short head is...
Arteries of the Upper Limbs
Cranial Nerves: Types Part II
Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve VII)
Cranial nerve VII, or the facial nerve,...

