Northcoast Physiotherapy Clinic

03/11/2025

28/10/2025

The musculocutaneous nerve is a nerve from the brachial plexus that innervates the muscles in the anterior compartment of the arm, including the coracobrachialis, biceps brachii, and brachialis. It also provides sensory innervation to the skin of the lateral forearm, continuing as the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve after it passes the elbow. Injuries can result from trauma, surgery, or compression.
Anatomy and function

Origin: It is a terminal branch of the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, receiving fibers from spinal nerves C5, C6, and C7.
Motor innervation: It supplies the muscles that flex the elbow and supinate the forearm.

Sensory innervation: After exiting the arm, it becomes the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve and provides sensation to the skin on the lateral (outer) side of the forearm.
Injury

Causes: Injuries can occur due to trauma (like shoulder dislocations), surgical complications, or compression, such as from a cast.

Symptoms: Damage can lead to weakness in elbow flexion and forearm supination, along with numbness in the lateral forearm.

Treatment: Mild symptoms may be managed with surgical decompression if nerve entrapment is the cause. More severe injuries may require surgical repair or nerve grafting.

19/10/2025

18/10/2025

03/10/2025

29/09/2025