Posterior Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve, Posterior View

Description

Running superficially along the posterior forearm, the posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerve descends from the arm to supply skin over the dorsolateral antebrachium, tracking distal to the lateral epicondyle and toward the radial side of the wrist. Proximally, its source is shown in context with the radial nerve in the posterior compartment of the arm, with the humerus positioned superior to the radius and ulna and the scapula and rib cage providing shoulder girdle orientation. Bony landmarks of the upper limb, including the humeral shaft, elbow region, and the paired forearm bones, anchor the nerve’s course relative to the posterior surface of the limb. Yellow fasciculi with a visible neurilemma emphasize peripheral nerve structure rather than muscle bulk. Posterior cutaneous innervation of the forearm is a common pain mapping problem in clinic, and this nerve is often the key when dorsal forearm numbness follows trauma or surgery around the lateral elbow. Lateral epicondylitis injections, posterior approaches to the elbow, and hardware placement near the lateral epicondyle can irritate small sensory branches, producing dysesthesia without motor deficit, a pattern that helps separate a purely cutaneous neuropathy from more proximal radial nerve compromise. Sensory only. The posterior perspective makes it easier to follow the nerve’s superficial descent where it becomes vulnerable to traction, scar tethering, or iatrogenic injury. Educators can drop this plate into upper limb anatomy teaching to reinforce named cutaneous territories and the relationship of peripheral nerves to palpable skeletal landmarks, while clinicians may find it useful for patient-facing explanations of dorsal forearm paresthesia patterns after elbow procedures. Medical publishers will also appreciate the inclusion of the brachial plexus context for stepwise tracing from proximal nerve trunk to distal cutaneous distribution. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.