Correlation between the lengths of the upper limb and cubital tunnel: potential use in patients with proximal ulnar nerve entrapment.

INTRODUCTION

We hypothesized that a correlation may exist between the length of the upper limb and the length of the cubital tunnel, which transmits the ulnar nerve from the arm to the forearm. If true, this association might aid in predicting individuals at greater risk of developing ulnar nerve compression at this site.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A total of 46 cadaveric upper limbs were dissected. The lengths of the upper limb and cubital tunnel were measured and analysis made of any correlation between these two distances.

RESULTS

The average length of the cubital tunnel was found to be 2.7 cm (range 1.2-4.7 cm, SD 0.82), and the average length of the upper limb was 62.5 cm (range 51-72 cm, SD 4.33). No significant difference was found with either length of the tunnel between left and right sides or among genders. Neither the ratio of upper limb length to length of the cubital tunnel between genders nor the ratio between left and right sides was found to have a positive correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the cubital tunnel length maintains similar proportion to upper limb length among genders and sides and that a correlation between these two distances does not exist.