Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 25, 2025

An Anatomical Study of Nerves at Risk During Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery
Published on: February 17, 2018
Anatomical study of the anterior interosseous nerve
1Department of Anatomy/Catholic Institute for Applied Anatomy, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Background:
The aim of this study is to investigate the location of nerves that innervate the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) and the pronator quadratus muscles. It also investigates the change in nerve location with hand movement.
Materials And Methods:
We studied 30 adult cadavers (17 males and 13 females) with a mean age of 69.5 years (range: 60-95 years). The reference line was from the humeral epicondylar line to the styloid process line of both the radius and ulnar bones. This study measured the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) branch outpoint and the innervated muscle nerve entry point to the muscle belly. It also examines nerve position changes as related to making a fist.
Results:
The reference line mean distance was 24.1 ± 1.2 cm. The median nerve branched into the AIN at 18.0 ± 4.0%. We found the most densely distributed section of the nerves' entry point to the muscle belly to be at a distance of 30% to 40% for the FDP and from 30% to 40% for the FPL. Except for the FPL, the nerve branch outpoints and the FDP moved by 3.0%, depending upon hand movements.
Conclusions:
The results of this study show that it will be necessary to consider the anatomy of the nerve location as it enters the muscle belly as well as how it changes with movement.
Related Concept Videos
Muscles of the Forearm that Move the Hand and Fingers
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment muscles originate from the humerus. They primarily function as flexors and are also known as flexor muscles. They typically insert on the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. The superficial layer includes the flexor carpi...
Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a...
Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna
Spinal Nerves: Plexus I
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...
Muscles of the Anterior Neck
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...

