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RESUMEN: El nervio para el músculo braquiorradial (BR) ha sido utilizado en transferencias nerviosas para recuperaciones en funciones de la mano como consecuencias de lesiones que afectan el plexo braquial. Con el propósito de investigar el número y localización biométrica de los ramos primarios provenientes del nervio radial y puntos motores respecto un punto de referencia ubicado en la región del codo, se estudiaron 30 miembros superiores de individuos adultos brasileños, de la Universidad Estadual de Ciencias da Saúde de Alagoas, Maceió, Brasil. Las muestras se encontraban fijadas en solución de formaldehído al 10 %, de los cuales 15 miembros eran derechos y 15 izquierdos. Como punto de referencia se utilizó una línea que pasó a través de las partes más prominentes de los epicóndilos humerales, línea bi-epicondilea (LBE). Con respecto al origen nervioso para el músculo BR, todos los ramos se originaron a partir del nervio radial (NR). El promedio de la cantidad de Ramos Primarios (RP) fue de 1,53 (DS 0,73). En 18 muestras (60 %) se observó sólo un RP; en 8 casos (26,7 %) se encontraron 2 RP, mientras que en 4 casos (13,3 %) de la muestra se observaron 3 RP. Sobre la localización biométrica de los orígenes de los RP, es importante mencionar que todos se ubicaron proximal a la LBE. En promedio, estos se ubicaron a 38 mm (DS 0,9); 29 mm (DS 1,2) y 22 mm (DS 1,0) para el primer, segundo y tercer RP, respectivamente. En relación a los puntos motores (PM), en 4 casos (13 %) se observó 1 PM dado por la penetración directa de un ramo primario, en 13 casos (43 %) existieron 2 PM, en 8 casos (27 %) se encontraron 3 PM y en 5 casos (17 %) se observaron 4 PM. En tres casos (10 %) la inervación hacia el músculo BR emitió filetes nerviosos hacia el músculo extensor radial largo del carpo. Los resultados expuestos en esta investigación son un importante aporte para bloqueos nerviosos, estimulaciones eléctricas y transferencias nerviosas. SUMMARY: The nerve for the brachioradialis muscle (BR) has been used in nerve transfers for recoveries in functions of the hand as a consequence of lesions affecting the brachial plexus. With the purpose of investigating the number and biometric location of the primary branches coming from the radial nerve and motor points with respect to a reference point located in the elbow region, thirty upper limbs of Brazilian adult individuals from the State University of Sciences of Saúde de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil were used. The samples were fixed in 10 % formaldehyde solution, of which 15 were right and 15 left. As a reference point, a line was used that passed through the most prominent parts of the humeral epicondyls, bi-epicondilar line (BEL). With respect to the nervous origin for the BR muscle, all the branches originated from the radial nerve (RN). The average number of primary branches (PB) was 1.53 (SD 0.73). In 18 samples (60 %) only one PB was observed; in 8 cases (26.7 %) 2 PB were found, while in 4 cases (13.3 %) of the sample 3 PB were observed. Regarding the biometric location of the origins of PB, it is important to mention that all were located proximal to the BEL. On average, these were located at 38 mm (SD 0.9); 29 mm (DS 1.2) and 22 mm (DS 1.0) for the first, second and third PB, respectively. In relation to the motor points (MP), in 4 cases (13 %) 1 MP was observed as direct penetration of the PB, in 13 cases (43 %) there were 2 MP, in 8 cases (27 %) they found 3 MP and in 5 cases (17 %) 4 MP were observed. In three cases (10 %) the innervation towards the BR muscle emitted nerve fillets towards the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle. The results presented in this investigation are an important contribution to nerve blocks, electrical stimulations and nerve transfers.

The northern tamandua (Tamandua mexicana) is a xenarthran mammal with a distribution from Mexico to Peru. This species arrives to wildlife care centres due to illegal trafficking and attacks by domestic dogs, both of which are situations where the northern tamandua's thoracic limbs (forelimbs) can be affected. As such, it is necessary to have anatomical studies that allow us to perform better medical and surgical procedures. Among these, studies about the musculoskeletal system also aid in the muscular reconstructions of extinct species. The aim of this study was to characterize the craniolateral muscles of the forearm in Tamandua mexicana and compare them with other Xenarthrans to determine their gross adaptations. Six dead specimens were used, and none were sacrificed for the purpose of this investigation. In five specimens, arterial repletion was done. Four were fixed with 10% formaldehyde and 5% glycerin, and two were dissected in fresh. All were dissected in the Veterinary Anatomy Laboratory of the Universidad del Tolima. The weights of the muscles from seven forearms were taken and divided in three functional groups for comparison with non-parametric statistics. Two muscular groups were found: one superficial formed by the brachioradialis, brachioradialis accesorius, extensor carpi radialis, extensor digitorum communis, extensor digitorum lateralis and extensor carpi ulnaris; and one deep muscular group formed by the supinator, extensor digiti III et IV, abductor digiti I longus, and extensor digiti I et II. They were supplied by different branches of the cranial interosseous, transverse cubital and superficial brachial arteries, which had the shape of rete mirabile; and all muscles were innervated by the deep branch of the radial nerve. The presence of the brachioradialis accesorius muscle in this species allows its hand to remain in semi-supination when it is mobilized in a quadrupedal manner. It must also support elbow flexion together with the action of the brachioradialis and the extensor carpi radialis muscles. All the antebrachial digital muscles sent tendons for the digit III making it the most functional for different grip activities such as climbing trees and searching for its food, however, the most strength was directed to supination and carpal extension, and therefore also to the flexion of the elbow.

Avulsion fracture of the brachioradialis origin at its proximal attachment on the lateral supracondylar ridge of the distal humerus is exceedingly rare, and only two cases have been reported in the literature so far. In this article, we present a 38 years old patient who sustained a closed avulsion fracture of the lateral supracondylar ridge of left humerus at the proximal attachment of brachioradialis following a fall backwards on outstretched hand after being struck by a lorry from behind while riding on a two-wheeler (motorcycle). He was managed with above elbow plaster for four weeks followed by elbow and wrist mobilization. At final followup, the patient had painless full range elbow motion with good elbow flexion strength. The unique mechanism by which this avulasion fracture occurred is explained on the basis of the mode of injury, position of the limb and structure and function of the brachioradialis muscle.

We report localized polyarteritis nodosa in a 31-year-old man who had painful nodules in the left forearm and scrotum. Histopathological findings of both tissues revealed distinct arteritis. However, he had no clinical evidence of any systemic disease. We finally diagnosed this case as a localized polyarteritis nodosa occurring in both the left forearm and epididymis. This form of polyarteritis nodosa has not been reported in the literature.