Have you ever thought about how you can move your hands smoothly while doing delicate tasks like typing for example? They are the nerves that extend from the nervous system to the extremities of the body to help with movement and sensation, and among these nerves is the ulnar nerve, which we will present the most important details about in this article, so read the following lines.

What is the ulnar nerve?

The ulnar nerve is one of the nerves of the hand, a branch of the brachial plexus (a network of nerves that transmit sensory and motor signals from the spinal cord to the shoulders, arms, and hands) allowing humans to move the forearm, hand, and certain fingers, and to feel touch, temperature, or pain And send these signals to the brain.

Where is the ulnar nerve located?

This nerve branches from the brachial plexus, which begins as nerve roots in the spine in the neck, and its branches extend below the clavicle, passing through the armpit and then to the arm. There is an ulnar nerve for each arm, and the following are the most important details about the location and composition of the nerve:

• The ulnar nerve originates from the C8 and T1 roots, and this nerve branches into many smaller branches the length of the arm.
• It passes near the axillary and brachial arteries.
• It passes through the cubital tunnel at the elbow.
• The nerve passes below the arm muscles, but is superficial at the elbow. As the elbow is impinged, you may feel an electric shock-like sensation down the arm and hand.
• It branches into many smaller branches.
• It enters the palm on the side of the pinky finger through the ulnar canal.

nerve branches

The branches of the ulnar nerve include:

• Muscular branch: It controls the movement of the front of the forearm.
• Dorsal cutaneous branch: It sends sensory information to and from the middle of the back of the hand, the little finger and the ring finger.
• Palmar cutaneous branch: which sends sensory information to and from the middle of the palm and the pinky and ring fingers.

Ulnar nerve function

As we explained to you, this nerve acts as a sensory nerve and a motor nerve.

As a motor nerve, it supplies the muscles in the forearm, hand, and fingers so that they can:

• Bend and straighten the pinky and ring fingers.
• Hold on to things.
• Performing fine motor tasks such as writing, turning the pages of a book, or buttoning a shirt.

As for its function as a sensory nerve, this nerve works to give you the feeling of the following:

• pinky finger
• The side of the ring finger closest to the pinky.
• The palm and the back of the hands towards the pinky.

Ulnar nerve problems

There are many problems that may affect the ulnar nerve, and its early symptoms include paresthesias of the pinky finger, half of the ring finger, and the side of the hand, and these problems may eventually lead to weak wrist flexion, and weak strength of the pinky and ring finger. Ulnar nerve problems include:

• Funny Bone Irritation: As the elbow is struck, a sudden unpleasant feeling of electric shock that lasts for a few seconds may result.
• Cuboid Tunnel Syndrome: The symptoms of this syndrome result from prolonged pressure on the nerve. If the patient has swelling near the elbow, he may experience numbness, pain, poor sensation, or poor muscle control in the areas of the hand that the nerve supplies.
• Ulnar tunnel syndrome: Swelling may occur in the wrist around the nerve.
• Trauma: A person may have a trauma in the arm or in the hand, causing damage to the ulnar nerve or any of its branches, which affects its functions.

People most at risk of nerve problems

The risk of developing problems with this nerve increases in people who constantly put excessive pressure on the elbow and wrist, and perform repetitive activities to flex them. Examples of these people include:

• cyclists.
• Players of some sports such as tennis and baseball.
• Writers and people who use keyboards a lot.
• Weightlifters.
• Construction workers.

How to keep nerves healthy

Some tips to keep the ulnar nerve healthy include:

• Get enough sleep.
• Stay away from smoking.
• Doing exercise.
• Eat healthy foods that contain vitamins and minerals important for nerve health.
• Maintaining normal glucose levels for diabetics, and controlling blood pressure, as these chronic diseases may affect the nerves.