Dorsal cutaneous innervation of the hand with respect to anatomical landmarks: is there a safe zone?

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to define the borders of the triangular area between the radial and dorsal nerves on the dorsum of the hand and to determine its dimensions using measurements between anatomic landmarks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We statistically analyzed the relation between the distance from Lister's tubercle to the blending point of the central branches of radial and ulnar nerves and the distance between styloids on 14 hands of seven adult human cadavers (5 males, 2 females). The distances of nerve branches to vertical lines drown distally from both styloid processes were also compared with interstyloid distances to help in presuming the course of these nerves. RESULTS: No statistical constant correlation was determined between the measurements. Neither the height of the triangular area nor the courses of both nerves seemed to be quantitatively related to any measurements between the anatomical landmarks. CONCLUSION: Variability in these measurements in our study indicates that there is no surgical safe zone on the dorsum of the hand.