Lesson 1Course of radial nerve in the axilla and proximal arm: relations to axillary vessels, humeral head, and latissimus dorsiWe trace the radial nerve in the axilla and upper arm, noting its ties to axillary artery, humeral head, latissimus dorsi, and nearby tissues, highlighting compression spots, injury risks, and surgical paths common in trauma cases.
Relations to axillary artery and veinCourse around humeral head and neckRelations to latissimus dorsi and teres majorFascial tunnels and potential compression sitesSurgical approaches in the proximal armLesson 2Key landmarks for bedside localization and surgical exposure: lateral epicondyle, radial head, spiral groove, supinator tunnelIdentify solid surface and deep markers for pinpointing the radial nerve and branches, aiding bedside checks, ultrasound, and surgery around lateral epicondyle, radial head, spiral groove, and supinator tunnel.
Palpation of lateral epicondyle and radial headLocating the spiral groove on the humerusIdentifying the supinator tunnel regionUltrasound landmarks for radial branchesSafe windows for surgical approachesLesson 3Relevant microanatomy: epineurium, perineurium, endoneurium, vasa nervorum and implications for injury and recoveryExplore radial nerve microanatomy like epineurium, perineurium, endoneurium, and vasa nervorum, showing how they react to stretch, compression, cuts, and affect healing, neuromas, and repair methods.
Epineurial structure and surgical handlingPerineurium and fascicular organizationEndoneurial tubes and axonal supportVasa nervorum and ischemic vulnerabilityMicroanatomy and regeneration patternsLesson 4Brachial plexus roots and contribution to radial nerve (C5–T1): posterior cord formation and anatomical variantsReview C5–T1 roots forming posterior cord and radial nerve, noting positions in neck and axilla, common variants, and their impact on weakness, sensation loss, and test results.
C5–T1 root contributions to radial nerveTopography of trunks, divisions, and cordsPosterior cord formation and branching patternCommon root and cord anatomical variantsClinical impact of high or low root lesionsLesson 5Posterior interosseous nerve (PIN): entry through supinator (arcade of Frohse), motor branches to forearm extensors, typical branching patternFocus on posterior interosseous nerve from supinator entry via Frohse arcade to extensor branches, covering standard and variant patterns for selective weaknesses and surgery.
Entry beneath ECRB to supinatorArcade of Frohse anatomy and variantsIntramuscular course within supinatorMotor branches to wrist and finger extensorsPatterns in selective PIN palsiesLesson 6Spiral (radial) groove anatomy: position relative to humerus, branches to triceps and anconeus, vascular relationsAnalyse spiral groove on posterior humerus, ties to triceps, anconeus, vessels, and why it's prone to fracture damage, trapping, and surgery risks.
Surface and radiographic localizationRelations to triceps and anconeus branchesContact with posterior humeral cortexRadial collateral and profunda brachii vesselsRisk zones in humeral shaft fracturesLesson 7Terminal motor and sensory territories: extensor compartment muscles, triceps, brachioradialis, anconeus, finger extensors, and dorsal hand sensory mapMap end motor and sensory areas, linking branches to extensors, triceps, brachioradialis, anconeus, finger extensors, and back-of-hand skin for accurate bedside and test localisation.
Motor map of triceps and anconeusInnervation of wrist and finger extensorsBrachioradialis and ECRL innervation zonesDorsal hand and thumb sensory territoriesPatterns of overlap with median and ulnarLesson 8Common anatomical variants influencing clinical presentation: high bifurcation, accessory branches, variable innervation of brachioradialis and ECUReview frequent radial nerve variants like high splits, extra branches, variable brachioradialis and ECU supply, and how they change signs, tests, and surgery outcomes.
High radial bifurcation patternsAccessory branches to triceps or brachialisVariable innervation of brachioradialisECU and ECRB innervation variantsImpact on EMG and nerve conduction testsLesson 9Division at lateral epicondyle/elbow: superficial sensory branch and deep branch (posterior interosseous nerve) anatomical detailsExamine split at lateral epicondyle: superficial sensory vs deep motor (PIN), fascicles, radial head ties, and effects on trapping, injections, decompression.
Anatomy at the lateral epicondyleBranching into superficial and deep branchesRelations to radial head and joint capsuleFascicular topography at the bifurcationEntrapment and iatrogenic injury risksLesson 10Forearm course of superficial branch: subcutaneous path, branches to dorsum of hand and anatomic snuffboxTrace superficial radial nerve in forearm: subcutaneous route, fascial layers, hand dorsum and snuffbox branches, guiding sensory checks, blocks, incisions.
Course deep to brachioradialisTransition to subcutaneous positionBranches to dorsum of hand and fingersAnatomic snuffbox relations and branchesSites of Wartenberg syndrome compression
