The nerve of Henle: An anatomic and immunohistochemical study

The topography of the nerve of Henle was reviewed. Fifty-two human cadaveri c upper extremities were studied. In 30 (58%) the nerve was well defined; i n 22 (42%) its origin from the ulnar nerve was unidentifiable. The palmar c utaneous branch of the ulnar nerve separated from the ulnar nerve 5 to 11 c m distal to the medial epicondyle of the humerus to divide into its termina l branches in the distal forearm. Four patterns were detected: ulnar, radio ulnar, vessel-related, and radial. These shared a consistent vascular branc h, which sent 2 branches to the ulnar artery just proximal to the distal ul nar tunnel. Using a tyrosine hydroxylase antibody-based immunohistochemistr y technique the nerve was shown to carry sympathetic fibers. Motor fibers w ere ruled out with Karnovsky's stain, which was used in combination with th e tyrosine hydroxylase method in 10 specimens. (J Hand Surg 1999;24A:1103-1 108. Copyright (C) 1999 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.).