The median nerve (C6 - T11) is a mixed nerve. It is formed by merging of two nerve roots - lateral root (C6 - C7) and medial root (C8 - T1) anteriorly to the axillary artery. The lateral root arises from the lateral fascicle, while the medial root - from the medial fascicle of the brachial plexus.

The median nerve crosses the cubital fossa, loops under the biceps brachii aponeurosis, travels between the heads of the pronator teres, and flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus. It then enters the palm through the carpal tunnel.

After exiting the carpal tunnel, the median nerve divides into common palmar digital nerves. These nerves give muscular branches that innervate the first and second lumbrical muscles, abductor pollicis brevis, opponens pollicis, and the superficial head of the flexor pollicis brevis.

At the base of the phalanges, the common palmar digital nerves branch into seven proper palmar digital nerves. These innervate skin of the thumb, index finger, and radial side of the third and fourth fingers on the palmar side, and also the skin of the same fingers on the dorsal side at the region of the medial and distal phalanges.

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Median nerve