The wrist contains three main nerves that provide sensation and function to the hand: the radial nerve, the median nerve, and the ulnar nerve. (12-Jun-2023)
The Three Main Nerves of the Wrist
These nerves play crucial roles in both sensory and motor functions of the hand and wrist.
Radial Nerve
- Primarily responsible for sensation on the back of the hand and wrist.
- Also involved in extending the wrist and fingers.
Median Nerve
- Runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist.
- Provides sensation to the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger.
- Controls muscles at the base of the thumb.
Ulnar Nerve
- Travels along the pinky side of the wrist and hand.
- Supplies sensation to the pinky finger and part of the ring finger.
- Controls many of the small muscles in the hand, essential for fine motor skills.
Understanding these nerves is important for diagnosing conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome (which affects the median nerve) or ulnar nerve entrapment.
