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

Surg Radiol Anat. 2011 Aug;33(6):551-4. doi: 10.1007/s00276-010-0771-9. Epub 2011 Jan 12.

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arm / anatomy & histology
  • Arm / innervation
  • Brachial Plexus / abnormalities
  • Cadaver
  • Dissection
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / abnormalities
  • Muscle, Skeletal / innervation*
  • Musculocutaneous Nerve / abnormalities*
  • Musculocutaneous Nerve / anatomy & histology
  • Nervous System Malformations*