Introduction: Similarities in morphology, physiological function, and neurophysiological findings between median and ulnar nerves are not unequivocal. Our previous study confirmed differences in motor fiber parameters between these nerves in healthy persons. We made an attempt to assess and compare the physiological parameters of different sensation modalities (temperature, pain, vibration) in median and ulnar nerves. Methods: The study was performed in 31 healthy, right-handed volunteers: 17 women, 14 men, mean age 44.8±15.5 years. Standard sensory conduction tests in the median and ulnar nerves were performed together with the estimation of vibratory, temperature, and warm- and cold-induced pain thresholds in the C7 and C8 dermatomes on the palm, using quantitative sensory testing (QST). Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the standard sensory conduction test in the median and ulnar nerves across the whole group: between right and left hands, and between women and men. We revealed differences in the temperature and pain thresholds between these nerves, mainly in low temperature perception. There were no differences in estimated thresholds between sides or in female and male groups. The vibratory limits did not differ significantly between nerves, and subgroups. Conclusions: The study confirmed the differences in the physiological sensory perception between the median and ulnar nerves. The median nerve is more sensitive to temperature stimulation than the ulnar nerve, but simultaneously less sensitive to pain-inducing temperature stimuli. These findings should be considered during the examination of hand nerve pathology.

中文翻译：

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使用定量感觉测试来识别正中神经和尺神经之间的生理差异

简介：正中神经和尺神经之间在形态，生理功能和神经生理学发现方面的相似之处并非明确。我们先前的研究证实了健康人这些神经之间的运动纤维参数存在差异。我们尝试评估和比较中神经和尺神经的不同感觉方式（温度，疼痛，振动）的生理参数。方法：本研究在31位健康的右撇子志愿者中进行：17位女性，14位男性，平均年龄44.8±15.5岁。使用定量感觉测试（QST）进行了正中神经和尺神经的标准感觉传导测试，以及对手掌C7和C8皮肤切开术的振动，温度以及由温和冷引起的疼痛阈值的估计。结果：在整个组中：右手和左手之间以及男女之间，在标准感觉传导测试中，中枢神经和尺神经没有统计学上的显着差异。我们揭示了这些神经之间的温度和疼痛阈值之间的差异，主要是在低温感知方面。双方之间或男女之间的估计阈值无差异。神经和亚组之间的振动极限无明显差异。结论：该研究证实了正中神经和尺神经之间的生理感觉知觉的差异。正中神经比尺神经对温度刺激更敏感，但同时对诱发疼痛的温度刺激更不敏感。