Mass effect of the distal triceps brachii muscle on ulnar nerve movement during elbow flexion

Hypertrophic triceps brachii contributes to ulnar nerve movement, but the location of the mass effect of the triceps brachii muscle is not known. In this study we aimed to determine the mass effect of the distal medial head of the triceps brachii (DMTB) muscle on ulnar nerve movement.

In 48 arms, movement of the ulnar nerve at the medial epicondyle and muscle thickness (medial and long head of the triceps brachii [MLTB], medial head of the triceps brachii [MTB], DMTB, and biceps brachii [BB]) were measured using ultrasonography.

Ulnar nerve movement at the elbow was consistently correlated with the DMTB muscle thickness (horizontal ulnar nerve movement at the elbow [HM] / vertical ulnar nerve movement at the elbow [VM] with 90° elbow flexion: r = 0.668 / r = 0.313, HM/VM with full elbow flexion: r = 0.481 / r = 0.391). With multiple linear regression, the DMTB was the most important muscle with regard to contribution of thickness to ulnar nerve movement. Individuals with partial and complete dislocation showed a thicker DMTB than those without dislocation.

Our data suggest that the mass effect of the triceps brachii muscle is exerted primarily by its distal portion. When ulnar nerve dislocation is observed, thickness and anatomical variation of DMTB in the retrocondylar area during elbow flexion should be assessed.