Nerves of the hand: Dorsal view (Latin)

Cutaneous innervation on the dorsum of the hand is mainly supplied by the n. ulnaris and. n radialis. The r. dorsalis nervi ulnaris arises from the n. ulnaris approximately 5cm proximal to the wrist joint. It extends dorsally and divides into several rr. digitales dorsales which provide cutaneous innervation to the skin of the medial half of the dorsum of the hand and dorsal aspect of the medial two and a half fingers. The r. superficialis nervi radialis extends dorsally and gives off several rr. digitales dorsales. The r. superficialis nervi radialis is also known as the "sensory branch" because of its primary role to provide sensation to the eminentia thenaris and dorsal aspect of the radial three and a half digits of the hand. Specifically, the rr. digitales dorsales provide cutaneous innervation to the lateral two thirds of the dorsum of the hand and dorsal proximal two thirds of the lateral two and a half digits. The 5th r. digitalis dorsalis of the n. radialis usually communicates with adjacent r. digitalis dorsalis n. ulnaris which supplies the opposing sides of the middle and ring fingers. The distal parts of the dorsal aspect of the lateral three and a half digits are supplied by branches of the n. medianus.