The superficial branch of the ulnar nerve is a mixed nerve of the hand.
It supplies motor innervation to the palmaris brevis and sensation to the volar surface of the medial one and a half fingers.
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Course
The superficial branch of the ulnar nerve arises within Guyon’s canal at the distal border of the flexor retinaculum.
It passes into the palm, travelling within the subcutaneous tissue of the hand and located medial to the ulnar artery.
It provides a branch to the palmaris brevis muscle and then terminates by dividing into palmar digital nerves – which supply sensation to the volar surface of the medial one and half digits (little finger and medial half of the ring finger).
Motor Supply
The superficial branch of the ulnar nerve provides motor innervation to the palmaris brevis muscle.
Sensory Supply
The superficial branch of the ulnar nerve provides sensory innervation to the volar surface of the medial one and half digits.
It does this via two branches:
- Proper palmar digital nerve – supplies the volar surface of the medial half of the little finger.
- Common palmar digital nerve – divides into two palmar digital nerves, which supply the volar surfaces of the lateral half of the little finger and medial half of the ring finger.
