The Median Nerve
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The median nerve is a major peripheral nerve in the upper limb that helps move the forearm, hand, fingers, and wrist. Each person has two median nerves; one on the left side of the body and another on the right side.
Location
The median nerve is part of the brachial plexus, a network of nerves. The median nerve stretches from behind the collarbone, past the armpit, elbow, and carpal tunnel, to the hand, where it branches out into the palm and fingers.
Function
The median nerve stimulates muscles in the forearm that allow bending and straightening of the wrist and first three fingers, rotation of the forearm, as well as pain and temperature sensations in the forearm and most of the palm.
Conditions and Disorders
Carpal tunnel syndrome, anterior interosseous nerve syndrome, and pronator teres syndrome are all due to pressure or damage in the median nerve.
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