Which area experiences loss of sensation in a radial nerve injury?

In a radial nerve injury, the loss of sensation predominantly affects the area over the dorsal web space between the thumb and index finger. This is due to the radial nerve's role in sensory innervation to the skin of the posterior aspect of the arm and forearm, as well as parts of the hand. Specifically, the superficial branch of the radial nerve provides sensation to the skin in this area, making it clinically significant when evaluating for neurological deficits resulting from a radial nerve lesion.

The palmar aspect of the hand is primarily innervated by the median and ulnar nerves, thus not associated with radial nerve injuries. The distal ulnar aspect of the little finger is supplied by the ulnar nerve, so sensory loss there would not be indicative of a radial nerve issue. The lateral aspect of the forearm receives its sensory innervation from the musculocutaneous nerve. Understanding the specific zones of sensation affected by nerve injuries is crucial, as it aids in accurate diagnosis and management of these conditions.