In the forearm the ulnar nerve gives rise to: muscular branches to the flexor carpi ulnaris and to the medial half of the flexor digitorum profundus that arise soon after the ulnar nerve enters the forearm; and two small cutaneous branches—the palmar branch originates in the middle of the forearm and passes into the hand to supply skin on the medial side of the palm; the larger dorsal branch originates from the ulnar nerve in the distal forearm and passes posteriorly deep to the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris and innervates skin on the posteromedial side of the back of the hand and most skin on the posterior surfaces of the medial one and one-half digits.