J Reconstr Microsurg 1986; 2(3): 175-179
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1007020
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1986 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

The Ulnar Nerve as Vascularized Nerve Transplant

Part I: Anatomy: Arterial Vascular SupplyK. H. Künzel, C. Fischer, H. Anderl
  • Departments of Anatomy and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Innsbruck, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted for publication 1986

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

The ulnar nerve is supplied basically by the arteries accompanying it in its various locations: in the axillary section, by a branch of the lateral thoracic artery or directly by the axillary artery; in the upper arm, by branches originating from the collateral ulnar superior artery; in the supracondylar section and in the region of the groove for the ulnar nerve, by branches originating from the anastomosis of the collateral arteries and the posterior branch of the recurrent ulnar artery; and in the forearm, by branches of the recurrent ulnar artery and the ulnar artery. Venous return is by the venae comitantes. Since the ulnar nerve possesses a good arterial supply, it may be used with different techniques as a vascularized nerve transplant in traumatic lesions of the brachial plexus, to repair more important missing nerve paths.