Which nerve and artery are commonly affected in humerus fractures?

Which nerve and artery are commonly affected in humerus fractures?

• A. Median nerve and Radial artery
• B. Ulnar nerve and Profunda brachii artery
• C. Brachial artery and Radial nerve
• D. Axillary nerve and Circumflex humeral artery

Answer: (C)

Fractures of the humerus are best understood by where along the bone the break occurs, because the major neurovascular structures run along or near that region. The radial nerve is the nerve most commonly affected in midshaft (shaft) humeral fractures, because it travels in the radial (spiral) groove of the humerus together with the profunda brachii (deep brachial) artery. This close association means a midshaft fracture can injure both the nerve, causing a wrist drop and sensory changes on the dorsum of the hand, and the accompanying artery, with potential effects on blood flow to the arm. In contrast, injuries at the proximal end of the humerus most often involve the axillary nerve and the posterior circumflex humeral artery, while distal (supracondylar) fractures commonly risk the median nerve and the brachial artery. The pairing of radial nerve with the brachial artery is not the typical pattern for humeral fractures, since the brachial artery lies more anterior in the arm and does not accompany the radial nerve in the spiral groove. The classic midshaft injury pattern is radial nerve with profunda brachii artery.

Fractures of the humerus are best understood by where along the bone the break occurs, because the major neurovascular structures run along or near that region. The radial nerve is the nerve most commonly affected in midshaft (shaft) humeral fractures, because it travels in the radial (spiral) groove of the humerus together with the profunda brachii (deep brachial) artery. This close association means a midshaft fracture can injure both the nerve, causing a wrist drop and sensory changes on the dorsum of the hand, and the accompanying artery, with potential effects on blood flow to the arm.

In contrast, injuries at the proximal end of the humerus most often involve the axillary nerve and the posterior circumflex humeral artery, while distal (supracondylar) fractures commonly risk the median nerve and the brachial artery. The pairing of radial nerve with the brachial artery is not the typical pattern for humeral fractures, since the brachial artery lies more anterior in the arm and does not accompany the radial nerve in the spiral groove. The classic midshaft injury pattern is radial nerve with profunda brachii artery.