The medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm is a sensory branch of the medial cord of the brachial plexus.
It supplies sensory innervation to the skin overlying the medial forearm.
Course
The medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm is a sensory branch of the medial cord of the brachial plexus. This is derived from the anterior rami of spinal nerves C8-T1.
After arising from the branchial plexus, the nerve travels down the medial aspect of the upper arm – accompanied by the ulnar nerve. It then pierces the deep fascia with the basilic vein to enter the subcutaneous plane.
It then divides into anterior and posterior branches:
- Anterior branch: crosses anteriorly over the basilic vein. It the descends down the anteromedial aspect of the forearm, supplying cutaneous branches to the skin along its course.
- Posterior branch – follows the medial border of the basilic vein along the posteromedial aspect of the forearm, supplying cutaneous branches to the skin along its course.
Fig 1 – The course of the medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm
Sensory Function
The medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm supplies sensory innervation to the skin of the medial forearm.
Fig 2 – Cutaneous innervation of the medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm
