NCV FIELD ATLASEvidence-based nerve conduction learning Open in the interactive 3D atlas
Sensory study Upper limb

Median sensory nerve conduction study

Place G1 on the index finger; stimulate at the wrist between the flexor carpi radialis and palmaris longus tendons.

01 · Placement

G1, G2, stimulation and ground landmarks

G1 active recording electrode

G1: index finger

Record from digit II with G1; the AANEM reference values use an antidromic technique.

Table 2 · p.373 ↗
Stimulation site

Wrist stimulation: between FCR and PL tendons

Stimulate at the wrist between the flexor carpi radialis and palmaris longus tendons, 14 cm from G1.

Table 2 · p.373 ↗
Stimulation site

Palm stimulation: midpoint between wrist site and G1

Stimulate the palm midway between the 14 cm wrist site and G1, 7 cm from G1.

Table 2 · p.373 ↗
Ground region

Ground electrode region

AANEM places the ground between the stimulating and recording electrodes. The model shows a usable palmar wrist region, not a single mandatory point.

Table 2 · p.373 ↗

02 · Reference values

Adult normal limits

MeasureReference limitBasis
Wrist SNAP onset-to-peak ≥11 µV 3rd percentile lower limit
Wrist SNAP peak-to-peak ≥13 µV 3rd percentile lower limit
Wrist onset latency ≤3.3 ms 97th percentile upper limit
Wrist peak latency ≤4.0 ms 97th percentile upper limit
Palm onset latency ≤1.6 ms 7 cm segment
Palm peak latency ≤2.3 ms 7 cm segment
Conduction velocity ≥43 m/s Published 3rd percentile

03 · Technique

Acquisition conditions

Fixed distance Wrist to G1: 14 cm; palm to G1: 7 cm
Sensitivity 20 µV/div
Filter 20 Hz–2 kHz
Sweep 1 ms/div
Temperature Maintain dorsal hand skin temperature >32°C
Ground Place the ground between the stimulating and recording electrodes

Primary evidence

Method-matched AANEM reference data

Adult antidromic median sensory reference values for digit II; amplitude is also affected by age and BMI.

Open Table 3, p.374 ↗