Motor supply
The recurrent motor branch supplies:
- Abductor pollicis brevis
- Opponens pollicis
- Superficial head of flexor pollicis brevis
Median nerve also supplies the first and second lumbricals.
Sensory supply
- Palmar aspect of thumb, index, middle and radial half of ring finger
- Nail beds / dorsal distal phalanges of the same digits
Clinical relevance
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Recurrent motor branch injury causing thenar weakness
- High median nerve injury versus isolated recurrent branch lesion
Signs
- Thenar wasting
- Weak thumb abduction and opposition
- Sensory loss in radial three-and-a-half digits
Diagram
