Nerve & Tendon MCQs

A 32-year-old man sustains a deep laceration at the medial aspect of the elbow, resulting in a complete transection of the ulnar nerve. On physical examination weeks later, he surprisingly demonstrates preserved motor function of the first dorsal interosseous, adductor pollicis, and the deep head of the flexor pollicis brevis, despite absolute loss of ulnar sensation. Which of the following anatomical variants is most likely responsible for this preserved motor function?

A 40-year-old carpenter complains of a progressive inability to cross his index and middle fingers, associated with numbness over the volar aspect of his small finger. Symptoms are exacerbated with prolonged elbow flexion. The nerve responsible for these findings passes between which two muscle heads in the proximal forearm?

A 45-year-old woman presents with a 4-month history of vague proximal anterior forearm pain, weakness with pinching, and numbness in her thumb, index, and middle fingers. On examination, she has decreased sensation over both the palmar digits and the thenar eminence. Radiographs of the elbow reveal an osseous spur on the anteromedial aspect of the distal humerus. Neural compression is most likely occurring as the nerve passes deep to which of the following structures?

A 45-year-old man presents with numbness in his ring and small fingers and weakness in his intrinsic hand muscles. EMG testing localizes compression of the ulnar nerve in the distal arm. Which of the following structures is most likely responsible for this compression?

A 12-year-old child presents with vague forearm pain and weakness in thumb flexion and forearm pronation. Radiographs reveal a bony spur on the anteromedial humerus, 5 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle. Which structure is most likely compressed by the ligament connecting this spur to the medial epicondyle?

Within Guyon's canal, the ulnar nerve bifurcates into superficial and deep branches. The deep branch dives into the hand by passing between which two muscular structures?

The roof of the cubital tunnel, which can become tightened and compress the ulnar nerve during elbow flexion, is formed by which structure?

During an in situ ulnar nerve decompression at the cubital tunnel, the first branch of the ulnar nerve identified just distal to the medial epicondyle provides motor innervation to which muscle?

When repairing a distal biceps tendon rupture via a two-incision technique, what structure is at highest risk of iatrogenic injury during the deep posterolateral muscle-splitting exposure?

A displaced fracture of the medial epicondyle of the humerus often compromises the ulnar nerve. The ulnar nerve enters the anterior forearm by passing between the two heads of which muscle?

A patient sustains a complete sharp laceration of the ulnar nerve at the level of the pisiform. Despite this, they surprisingly maintain normal strength in the deep head of the flexor pollicis brevis and the adductor pollicis. Which of the following anatomical variants best explains this?

A 35-year-old male presents with vague anterior elbow pain and numbness in the radial three and a half digits. Radiographs demonstrate a bony spur projecting from the anteromedial aspect of the distal humerus. Compression at this specific level involves which of the following structures?

A 45-year-old woman complains of proximal volar forearm pain and paresthesias in the radial three and a half digits. Electrodiagnostic testing confirms a high median nerve compression. Which of the following anatomical structures is most likely responsible for this specific entrapment syndrome?

Surgical release for De Quervain's tenosynovitis requires incising the extensor retinaculum over the first dorsal extensor compartment. Which of the following sensory nerves is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury or neuroma formation during this superficial dissection?

A 21-year-old collegiate baseball pitcher presents with medial elbow pain and decreased pitching velocity. MRI confirms a full-thickness tear of the anterior band of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL).

During surgical reconstruction of the UCL utilizing the modern docking technique, how is the ulnar nerve typically managed?

A 21-year-old collegiate baseball pitcher presents with medial elbow pain and decreased pitching velocity. MRI confirms a full-thickness tear of the anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). He undergoes a UCL reconstruction utilizing a palmaris longus autograft via the modified Jobe technique. During the exposure and preparation of the medial epicondyle for the humeral tunnels, what structure is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury and must be meticulously protected?

A 20-year-old collegiate baseball pitcher is undergoing an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction using a palmaris longus autograft and a muscle-splitting approach (modified Jobe technique). During the surgical approach to the medial elbow, which nerve is most commonly at risk and must be meticulously identified and protected?

A 20-year-old collegiate baseball pitcher complains of medial elbow pain that is most severe during the late cocking and early acceleration phases of throwing. On physical examination, what is the most sensitive test for diagnosing ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) insufficiency?

A 20-year-old collegiate baseball pitcher presents with medial elbow pain occurring during the late cocking and early acceleration phases of throwing, accompanied by a decline in pitching velocity. Examination reveals tenderness just distal to the medial epicondyle and a positive moving valgus stress test. An MRI arthrogram confirms a high-grade partial tear of the anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). After 3 months of failed conservative management, he opts for surgical reconstruction using a palmaris longus autograft. During the surgical approach for the UCL reconstruction, which neural structure is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury?

A 19-year-old collegiate baseball pitcher experiences an acute 'pop' and medial elbow pain while throwing. Physical examination reveals tenderness just distal to the medial epicondyle and a positive moving valgus stress test. After failing non-operative management, he is scheduled for an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction. During the surgical approach, which of the following cutaneous nerves is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury, particularly if an ulnar nerve transposition is performed?