Intramuscular innervation of upper-limb skeletal muscles

• Published in: Muscle & nerve 2004-04, Vol.29 (4), p.523-530
• Main Authors: Lim, Aymeric Y.T., Pereira, Barry P., Kumar, V. Prem, de Coninck, Christine, Taki, Christina, Baudet, Jacques, Merle, Michel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Cadaver; Coloring Agents; Female; functional splitting; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Median Nerve - anatomy & histology; Middle Aged; muscle classification; muscle innervation; Muscle, Skeletal - anatomy & histology; Muscle, Skeletal - innervation; muscle-tendon morphology; reconstructive surgery; Somesthesis and somesthetic pathways (proprioception, exteroception, nociception); interoception; electrolocation. Sensory receptors; Striated muscle. Tendons; Tendons - anatomy & histology; Tendons - innervation; Ulnar Nerve - anatomy & histology; Upper Extremity - anatomy & histology; Upper Extremity - innervation; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system
• ISSN: 0148-639X; 1097-4598
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.10565

We studied 150 skeletal muscles from 8 upper limbs using the modified Sihler's staining technique. Based on the pattern of the intramuscular innervation and shape, the muscles were grouped into trapezoidal‐shaped (Class I), spindle‐shaped (Class II), and muscles that were combinations of these two classes (Class III). Such distinctions are clinically important for limb reconstruction procedures. Bipennate, spindle‐shaped muscles with the aponeurosis of the tendons of insertion extending proximally into the muscle belly and Class III muscles with multiple tendons of origin may be split for separate independent functional transfers. Muscle Nerve 29: 523–530, 2004