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Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 6/2011

01-08-2011 | Anatomic Variations

Absence of the musculocutaneous nerve associated with a supernumerary head of biceps brachii: a case report

Authors: Renata Pacholczak, Wiesława Klimek-Piotrowska, Jerzy A. Walocha

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 6/2011

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Abstract

Unusual neural and muscular variations in the right upper limb were noted during anatomical dissection of a 54-year-old male cadaver. The absence of the musculocutaneous nerve was correlated with a three-headed biceps brachii muscle. The distribution of muscular branches innervating the anterior compartment of the muscles of the arm was different to the cases described in literature hitherto. This report contains a comparison of various instances where the musculocutaneous nerve is absent. We discuss the embryological explanation for this anomaly and its clinical results. It is important to be aware of such possible anatomical variations during clinical practice.
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Metadata
Title
Absence of the musculocutaneous nerve associated with a supernumerary head of biceps brachii: a case report
Authors
Renata Pacholczak
Wiesława Klimek-Piotrowska
Jerzy A. Walocha
Publication date
01-08-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 6/2011
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-010-0771-9

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