Anatomy of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to provide a clear description of the course, precise branching pattern and distribution of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve. A total of 36 hands from 18 preserved cadavers were dissected. The vertical distance from the pisoscaphoid line to the crossing points between the deep branch of the ulnar nerve and each metacarpal was about 4 cm. The deep branch of the ulnar nerve gave off two types of muscular branches: (1) trunks that innervate more than two intrinsic hand muscles; and (2) multiple separate branches innervating only a single muscle. The median numbers of trunks and separate branches were 5 and 6, respectively.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: N/A.