median nerve, one of the terminal branches of the brachial plexus that extends along the radial side of the forearm and the hand, supplying various muscles and the skin of these regions. It arises from the brachial plexus by two large roots, one from the lateral and one from the medial cord. The roots unite to form the trunk of the nerve that courses down the arm with the brachial artery. The median nerve usually has no branches above the elbow. It has a few articular branches to the elbow joint and muscular branches to the forearm; the anterior interosseous nerve; the palmar branch; the muscular branch in the hand; the first, second, and palmar digital nerves; and the proper digital nerves. Compare musculocutaneous nerve, radial nerve, ulnar nerve.
