Medial Cutaneous Nerve of the Forearm

Course

The medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm is a sensory branch of the medial cord of the brachial plexus. This is derived from the anterior rami of spinal nerves C8-T1.

After arising from the branchial plexus, the nerve travels down the medial aspect of the upper arm – accompanied by the ulnar nerve. It then pierces the deep fascia with the basilic vein to enter the subcutaneous plane.

It then divides into anterior and posterior branches:

• Anterior branch: crosses anteriorly over the basilic vein. It the descends down the anteromedial aspect of the forearm, supplying cutaneous branches to the skin along its course.
• Posterior branch – follows the medial border of the basilic vein along the posteromedial aspect of the forearm, supplying cutaneous branches to the skin along its course.

Adobe Stock, Licensed to TeachMeSeries Ltd

Fig 1
The course of the medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm

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Sensory Function

The medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm supplies sensory innervation to the skin of the medial forearm.

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2025)

Fig 2
Cutaneous innervation of the medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm