nervus ulnaris
- noun
- /ˈnɜrvəs ˈʌlnərɪs/
- Specialized
:
nervio ulnar
- Injury to the nervus ulnaris can cause numbness in the ring and little fingers.
Examples
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Surgeons must take care not to damage the nervus ulnaris during elbow operations.
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Compression of the nervus ulnaris is often responsible for the symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome.
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The nervus ulnaris is crucial for hand movement.
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Doctors often examine the nervus ulnaris during elbow injuries.
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Compression of the nervus ulnaris can lead to tingling sensations in the hand.
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Injury to the nervus ulnaris may result in weakness of the grip.
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Surgeons must carefully avoid the nervus ulnaris to prevent complications during surgery.
Synonyms
1
4.8
A long thin part in the arm by the elbow that sends messages to the hand and two small fingers
A nerve near the elbow that gives feeling and movement to the side of the hand with the little finger
Surface Forms
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.