In the first part of this article, the anatomy and histology of the peripheral nerves are discussed, emphasizing the importance of the correlation with their imaging appearance. The normal appearance of a nerve and the ultrasound exploration technique are presented. In the second part, the ultrasonographic study of upper extremity entrapment neuropathies is reviewed.

El ultrasonido (US) es uno de los métodos de estudio para los nervios periféricos. Permite la evaluación de lesiones traumáticas, neuropatías secundarias a síndromes por compresión, lesiones tumorales benignas o malignas, cambios inflamatorios y complicaciones posoperatorias. En este artículo se revisa la anatomía de los nervios periféricos que pueden estudiarse con US y su correlación con el aspecto imagenológico. Se analiza el aspecto normal de los nervios en US, se mencionan sus ventajas y se explica la técnica de estudio. En la segunda parte se discutirá el aspecto ultrasonográfico en las neuropatías por atrapamiento de la extremidad superior.

Ultrasound (US) is one of the study modalities for peripheral nerves. It allows the evaluation of traumatic injuries, neuropathies secondary to compression syndromes, benign or malignant tumor lesions, inflammatory changes and postoperative complications. This article reviews the anatomy of the peripheral nerves that can be studied with US and its correlation with the imaging appearance. The normal appearance of the nerves in US is analyzed, its advantages are mentioned and the study technique is explained. In the second part, the ultrasonographic aspect of upper extremity entrapment neuropathies will be discussed.

In the first part of this article, the anatomy and histology of peripheral nerves are discussed, emphasizing the importance of the correlation with their imaging appearacne. The normal appearance of a nerve and the ultrasound exploration technique are presented. In the second part, the ultrasonographic study of upper extremity entrapment neuropathies is reviewed.