Martin-Gruber anastomosis
Updates to Article Attributes
Martin-Gruber anastomosis is the mosta common type of, and is the most clinically relevant, interneural communication between the median nerve and ulnar nerve in the forearm.
Gross anatomy
ItMost commonly, motor fibres from the median nerve cross to join the ulnar nerve, although at least four patterns (or types) have been described 1,2.
Marin-Gruber anastomosis is a common anatomical variant, with a reported prevalence between 5-50% 2, although this varies significantly between studies of different methodologies. There may be an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance observed 2.
Most commonly, motor fibres from the median nerve cross to join the ulnar nerve, although four main patterns (types) have been described 2. Motor fibres may pass via ulnar nerve and innervate the muscles of hand, confounding clinical assessment and nerve conduction study interpretations in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome3.
History and etymology
The anastamosisThis anastomosis was first described by Martin in 1763 before being highlighted again by Gruber in 1870 2.
Clinical importance
Although not usually of significance to the physical examination, presence of a Martin-Gruber anastomosis can confound upper limb nerve conduction study interpretations, such as in patients with or being investigated for carpal tunnel syndrome3.
See also
Riche-Cannieu anastomosis: between the recurrent branch of median nerve and deep branch of ulnar nerve, in the hand
Marinacci anastomosis: a reverse Martin-Gruber anastomosis, between the ulnar nerve and median nerve
Berrettini anastomosis: between digital sensory nerve of ulnar and median nerves
-<p><strong>Martin-Gruber anastomosis </strong>is the most common type of and most clinically relevant interneural communication between the <a href="/articles/median-nerve-2" title="Median nerve">median nerve</a> and <a href="/articles/ulnar-nerve" title="Ulnar nerve">ulnar nerve</a> in the forearm.</p><p>It is a common anatomical variant, with a reported prevalence between 5-50% <sup>2</sup>, although this varies significantly between studies of different methodologies. There may be an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance observed <sup>2</sup>.</p><p>Most commonly, motor fibres from the median nerve cross to join the ulnar nerve, although four main patterns (types) have been described <sup>2</sup>. Motor fibres may pass via ulnar nerve and innervate the muscles of hand, confounding clinical assessment and nerve conduction study interpretations in patients with <a href="/articles/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-1" title="Carpal tunnel syndrome">carpal tunnel syndrome</a> <sup>3</sup>.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>The anastamosis was first described by <strong>Martin</strong> in 1763 before being highlighted again by <strong>Gruber</strong> in 1870 <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>See also</h4><ul>- +<p><strong>Martin-Gruber anastomosis </strong>is a common type of, and is the most clinically relevant, interneural communication between the <a href="/articles/median-nerve-2" title="Median nerve">median nerve</a> and <a href="/articles/ulnar-nerve" title="Ulnar nerve">ulnar nerve</a> in the forearm.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>Most commonly, motor fibres from the median nerve cross to join the ulnar nerve, although at least four patterns (or types) have been described <sup>1,2</sup>.</p><p>Marin-Gruber anastomosis is a common anatomical variant, with a reported prevalence between 5-50% <sup>2</sup>, although this varies significantly between studies of different methodologies. There may be an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance observed <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>This anastomosis was first described by <strong>Martin</strong> in 1763 before being highlighted again by <strong>Gruber</strong> in 1870 <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical importance</h4><p>Although not usually of significance to the physical examination, presence of a Martin-Gruber anastomosis can confound upper limb nerve conduction study interpretations, such as in patients with or being investigated for <a href="/articles/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-1" title="Carpal tunnel syndrome">carpal tunnel syndrome</a> <sup>3</sup>.</p><h4>See also</h4><ul>
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