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Glite Dictionary
nervus ulnaris

nervus ulnaris

6.3
A nerve at the inner arm near the elbow that controls movement and feeling in the ring and little fingers
  • noun
  • /ˈnɜrvəs ˈʌlnərɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : nervio ulnar
  • Injury to the nervus ulnaris can cause numbness in the ring and little fingers.

Examples

  • Surgeons must take care not to damage the nervus ulnaris during elbow operations.

  • Compression of the nervus ulnaris is often responsible for the symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome.

  • The nervus ulnaris is crucial for hand movement.

  • Doctors often examine the nervus ulnaris during elbow injuries.

  • Compression of the nervus ulnaris can lead to tingling sensations in the hand.

  • Injury to the nervus ulnaris may result in weakness of the grip.

  • Surgeons must carefully avoid the nervus ulnaris to prevent complications during surgery.

Synonyms

ulnar nerve
vsnervus ulnaris
  • Specialized
1 4.8

A long thin part in the arm by the elbow that sends messages to the hand and two small fingers

is the Latin anatomical name used interchangeably for this nerve
cubital nerve
vsnervus ulnaris
  • Specialized
6.7

A nerve near the elbow that gives feeling and movement to the side of the hand with the little finger

is the standard anatomical name rather than a region-emphasizing label

Surface Forms

nervus ulnaris singular
nervi ulnares plural

Morphology

nervus + ulnaris

The term is compositional: 'nervus' denotes 'nerve' and 'ulnaris' corresponds to 'ulnar / of the ulna' (relating to the inner forearm), so the compound directly denotes the ulnar nerve running near the elbow. Although it is a technical Latin anatomical name, this naming pattern is regular across languages, so a learner who knows both constituents can derive the meaning.

Etymology

Nervus ulnaris is the Latin name: nervus means 'nerve' and ulnaris points to the inner side of the arm near the elbow. Imagine a thin cord under the skin that, when you knock the elbow, sends a sharp tingle down the ring and little fingers, so nervus ulnaris refers to the nerve that gives feeling and movement to that part of the hand.