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Question 641

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

A patient suffers a laceration to the recurrent motor branch of the median nerve at the wrist. Which of the following muscles will subsequently lose its innervation?

. Adductor pollicis
. Opponens pollicis
. First dorsal interosseous
. Flexor pollicis brevis (deep head)
. Abductor digiti minimi

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Adductor pollicis


Explanation

The recurrent motor branch of the median nerve innervates the thenar muscles: Opponens pollicis, Abductor pollicis brevis, and the superficial head of the Flexor pollicis brevis (OAF). The adductor pollicis and deep head of the FPB are ulnar nerve supplied.

Question 642

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

A patient undergoes an in-situ decompression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. The surgeon identifies and releases a distinct fascial band that bridges the humeral and ulnar heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU). This anatomic structure is known as:

. The arcade of Struthers
. Osborne's ligament
. Struthers' ligament
. Lacertus fibrosus
. The ligament of Testut

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Osborne's ligament


Explanation

Osborne's ligament (the cubital tunnel retinaculum) forms the roof of the cubital tunnel, bridging the two heads of the FCU. The arcade of Struthers is a distinct structure located approximately 8 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle.

Question 643

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

During an open reduction and internal fixation of a distal humerus shaft fracture via an anterolateral approach, the surgeon identifies a supracondylar process. An anomalous fibrous band extending from this process to the medial epicondyle can compress which of the following structures?

. Radial nerve and deep brachial artery
. Ulnar nerve and superior ulnar collateral artery
. Median nerve and brachial artery
. Anterior interosseous nerve and anterior interosseous artery
. Musculocutaneous nerve and cephalic vein

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Radial nerve and deep brachial artery


Explanation

The Ligament of Struthers extends from a supracondylar process of the humerus to the medial epicondyle. It can cause compression of the median nerve and the brachial artery, which pass deep to it.

Question 644

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

A 45-year-old mechanic with severe cubital tunnel syndrome undergoes surgical decompression. The ulnar nerve is compressed as it passes between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris. The thick fascial band bridging these two heads is known anatomically as:

. Ligament of Struthers
. Arcade of Struthers
. Osborne's ligament
. Lacertus fibrosus
. Arcade of Frohse

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Osborne's ligament


Explanation

Osborne's ligament, also known as the cubital tunnel retinaculum, spans the humeral and ulnar heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris. It is a primary site of ulnar nerve compression in cubital tunnel syndrome.

Question 645

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

During a Henry (volar) approach to the proximal radius for plate fixation of a fracture, the surgeon heavily supinates the forearm while exposing the radial shaft. What is the primary anatomic rationale for this maneuver?

. Protects the median nerve
. Protects the posterior interosseous nerve
. Relaxes the biceps tendon
. Moves the superficial radial nerve anteriorly
. Facilitates retraction of the brachioradialis

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Protects the posterior interosseous nerve


Explanation

Supinating the forearm wraps the supinator muscle around the proximal radius, pulling the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) laterally and away from the volar surgical field. Pronation would shift the PIN medially, increasing the risk of iatrogenic injury.

Question 646

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

A surgeon is performing a volar (Henry) approach to the proximal radius for plate fixation. The internervous plane for this exposure lies between muscles supplied by which of the following nerve pairs?

. Radial and Ulnar nerves
. Median and Ulnar nerves
. Radial and Median nerves
. Musculocutaneous and Radial nerves
. Anterior Interosseous and Posterior Interosseous nerves

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Radial and Median nerves


Explanation

The internervous plane for the volar (Henry) approach to the proximal radius lies between the brachioradialis (supplied by the radial nerve) and the pronator teres (supplied by the median nerve). Further distally, the plane is between the brachioradialis and the flexor carpi radialis (median nerve).

Question 647

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

Following closed reduction and percutaneous pinning of a severely displaced supracondylar humerus fracture, a 6-year-old boy is noted to be unable to make an 'OK' sign, instead demonstrating a flat pinch mechanism. Which muscle's weakness is primarily responsible for this physical finding, and what is its innervation?

. Flexor digitorum superficialis; Median nerve
. Flexor digitorum profundus (ring and small); Ulnar nerve
. Adductor pollicis; Deep branch of ulnar nerve
. Flexor pollicis longus; Anterior interosseous nerve
. Opponens pollicis; Recurrent motor branch of median nerve

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Flexor pollicis longus; Anterior interosseous nerve


Explanation

The inability to form an 'OK' sign (pincer grasp) indicates weakness of the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) and the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) to the index finger. This results in a flattened pinch because the interphalangeal joint of the thumb and the distal interphalangeal joint of the index finger cannot actively flex. These muscles are innervated by the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN), a motor branch of the median nerve that is frequently injured in pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures.

Question 648

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

During the volar (Henry) approach to the proximal radius, the surgeon develops an internervous plane to safely expose the underlying structures. Which of the following describes the correct proximal internervous interval and the respective nerve supply to the bordering muscles?

. Brachioradialis (radial nerve) and flexor carpi radialis (median nerve)
. Brachioradialis (radial nerve) and pronator teres (median nerve)
. Flexor carpi radialis (median nerve) and palmaris longus (median nerve)
. Extensor carpi radialis brevis (radial nerve) and extensor digitorum communis (posterior interosseous nerve)
. Supinator (posterior interosseous nerve) and pronator teres (median nerve)

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Brachioradialis (radial nerve) and pronator teres (median nerve)


Explanation

The proximal portion of the volar (Henry) approach to the radius utilizes the internervous plane between the brachioradialis (innervated by the radial nerve) radially and the pronator teres (innervated by the median nerve) ulnarly. Distally, the interval transitions to between the brachioradialis and the flexor carpi radialis (median nerve). It is critical to identify and ligate the recurrent radial artery branches in this plane to safely mobilize the brachioradialis radially.

Question 649

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

A 30-year-old female presents with an isolated laceration to the ulnar nerve at the level of the wrist (Zone 1 of Guyon's canal). Clinical examination demonstrates complete anesthesia over the volar small finger and ulnar half of the ring finger. Surprisingly, she retains strong, normal motor function in all the dorsal and volar interossei. Which of the following neural anatomic variants best explains this clinical finding?

. Riche-Cannieu anastomosis
. Marinacci anastomosis
. Martin-Gruber anastomosis
. Berrettini anastomosis
. Anomalous bifurcation of the superficial radial nerve

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Martin-Gruber anastomosis


Explanation

The Martin-Gruber anastomosis is a communicating nerve branch from the median nerve (or anterior interosseous nerve) to the ulnar nerve in the proximal forearm. It typically carries motor fibers that ultimately innervate the intrinsic muscles of the hand (often those usually supplied by the ulnar nerve). Consequently, a complete ulnar nerve laceration at the wrist may not result in complete intrinsic paralysis if these bypassing motor fibers re-entered the ulnar nerve distal to the injury, or if they travel with the median nerve entirely to the palm. Note that the Riche-Cannieu anastomosis occurs in the palm between the deep branch of the ulnar nerve and the recurrent motor branch of the median nerve.

Question 650

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

Following a complete laceration of the median nerve at the level of the antecubital fossa, a patient retains some motor function of the intrinsic muscles of the hand normally innervated by the ulnar nerve. Electrodiagnostic testing confirms an anomalous nerve communication. The Martin-Gruber anastomosis most commonly involves nerve fibers crossing from the:

. Ulnar nerve to the median nerve in the forearm
. Median nerve to the ulnar nerve in the forearm
. Median nerve to the ulnar nerve in the palm
. Ulnar nerve to the median nerve in the palm
. Radial nerve to the median nerve in the arm

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Median nerve to the ulnar nerve in the forearm


Explanation

The Martin-Gruber anastomosis is an anatomical variant present in approximately 15% to 20% of individuals. It is defined by nerve fibers crossing from the median nerve (or its anterior interosseous branch) to the ulnar nerve in the proximal forearm. This connection allows median nerve motor fibers to innervate intrinsic hand muscles (most commonly the first dorsal interosseous) that are traditionally supplied by the ulnar nerve.

Question 651

Topic: Nerve & Tendon
A 28-year-old avid cyclist presents with significant weakness of the interosseous muscles and adductor pollicis, but normal sensation over both the volar and dorsal aspects of the little finger. Compression of the ulnar nerve is suspected. At which of the following anatomic locations is the compression most likely occurring?
. Proximal to the tunnel of Guyon
. Within Zone I of Guyon's canal
. At the hook of the hamate in the deep palmar space (Zone II)
. At the cubital tunnel
. Between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris

Correct Answer & Explanation

. At the hook of the hamate in the deep palmar space (Zone II)


Explanation

The patient exhibits an isolated motor deficit of the ulnar nerve with preserved sensation. Ulnar nerve compression at Guyon's canal is classified into three zones. Zone I compression affects both motor and sensory branches. Zone II contains only the deep motor branch, which passes between the hook of the hamate and the pisiform, and compression here yields isolated motor deficits. Zone III contains only the superficial sensory branch. A cubital tunnel syndrome would typically present with both sensory and motor deficits.

Question 652

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

A 32-year-old competitive cyclist presents with intrinsic muscle weakness in his right hand. He has noticeable clawing of the ring and small fingers but maintains intact sensation over the hypothenar eminence and the palmar aspect of the ulnar digits. At which anatomical zone of Guyon's canal is the ulnar nerve most likely compressed?

. Zone 1 (proximal to the bifurcation)
. Zone 2 (deep motor branch)
. Zone 3 (superficial sensory branch)
. Cubital tunnel
. Arcade of Struthers

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Zone 2 (deep motor branch)


Explanation

Guyon's canal is divided into three zones. Zone 1 contains both motor and sensory fibers; compression here causes mixed deficits. Zone 2 surrounds the deep motor branch; compression here causes isolated motor weakness of the ulnar-innervated intrinsic hand muscles. Zone 3 contains the superficial sensory branch; compression here yields isolated sensory deficits. The patient's intact sensation but isolated intrinsic weakness points to a Zone 2 compression.

Question 653

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

When performing the volar (Henry) approach to the proximal radius for fracture fixation, the deep dissection requires careful positioning of the forearm to protect a major nerve. The forearm should be placed in full supination to protect which of the following structures?

. Superficial radial nerve
. Radial artery
. Posterior interosseous nerve
. Median nerve
. Anterior interosseous nerve

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Posterior interosseous nerve


Explanation

During the anterior (Henry) approach to the proximal radius, the forearm is supinated during the deep dissection. Supination rotates the bicipital tuberosity and the insertion of the supinator muscle laterally. This displaces the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN), which runs within the supinator muscle, further away from the medial surgical field, thus reducing the risk of iatrogenic injury.

Question 654

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

A 28-year-old carpenter sustains a volar laceration over his dominant index finger, resulting in complete transection of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendons in Zone II. While retrieving the retracted FDP tendon, the surgeon visualizes the attached lumbrical muscle. Which of the following statements accurately describes the typical anatomy of the first lumbrical?

. It is bipennate, originates from the adjacent sides of the index and middle finger FDP tendons, and is innervated by the median nerve.
. It is unipennate, originates from the radial side of the index finger FDP tendon, and is innervated by the median nerve.
. It is unipennate, originates from the ulnar side of the index finger FDP tendon, and is innervated by the ulnar nerve.
. It is bipennate, originates from the radial side of the index finger FDS tendon, and is innervated by the median nerve.
. It is unipennate, originates from the radial side of the index finger FDP tendon, and is innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve.

Correct Answer & Explanation

. It is unipennate, originates from the radial side of the index finger FDP tendon, and is innervated by the median nerve.


Explanation

The lumbrical muscles are unique in that they originate from tendons (the flexor digitorum profundus) and insert onto the extensor expansions of the digits. The first and second lumbricals (acting on the index and middle fingers) are unipennate, originate strictly from the radial sides of their respective FDP tendons, and are innervated by the median nerve. Conversely, the third and fourth lumbricals are bipennate, originate from the adjacent sides of the FDP tendons, and are innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve.

Question 655

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

A 20-year-old collegiate baseball pitcher undergoes ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction using the modified Jobe (figure-of-8) technique.

Compared to the docking technique, the modified Jobe technique is associated with a higher incidence of which of the following postoperative complications?

. Graft rupture
. Medial epicondyle fracture
. Ulnar neuropathy
. Heterotopic ossification
. Superficial wound infection

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Ulnar neuropathy


Explanation

The modified Jobe (figure-of-8) technique requires more extensive dissection and handling of the ulnar nerve, often involving obligatory ulnar nerve transposition. Consequently, it has historically been associated with a higher rate of postoperative ulnar neuropathy compared to the docking technique, which typically allows the ulnar nerve to be left in situ or involves less manipulation.

Question 656

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

A 19-year-old collegiate baseball pitcher is undergoing ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction utilizing a palmaris longus autograft. Following the procedure, what is the most commonly reported postoperative complication?

. Medial epicondyle avulsion fracture
. Ulnar neuropathy
. Early graft rupture
. Deep joint infection
. Elbow stiffness requiring capsular release

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Ulnar neuropathy


Explanation

Ulnar neuropathy is the most common complication following UCL reconstruction, reported in up to 10-15% of cases. It can manifest as transient numbness, tingling, or weakness in the ulnar nerve distribution. Management of the ulnar nerve during the procedure (e.g., in situ decompression versus subcutaneous or submuscular transposition) remains debated, but neuropathy remains the leading complication regardless of technique.

Question 657

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

During diagnostic elbow arthroscopy, the anteromedial portal is frequently established to view the anterior compartment and radiocapitellar joint. Careful creation of this portal is essential to avoid iatrogenic injury. Which of the following nerves is at greatest risk of injury during the placement of the anteromedial portal?

. Median nerve
. Radial nerve
. Medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve
. Ulnar nerve
. Anterior interosseous nerve

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve


Explanation

The medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve (MABC) is highly superficial and courses in close proximity to the anteromedial elbow portal (usually about 1-2 mm away). It is the most commonly injured cutaneous nerve during elbow arthroscopy. The median nerve is situated deeper and slightly more laterally. The radial nerve is at risk with the anterolateral portal, and the ulnar nerve is at risk with posteromedial portals.

Question 658

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

A 19-year-old collegiate pitcher fails conservative management for a full-thickness proximal ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tear. He is indicated for surgical reconstruction. Which surgical technique has been shown to minimize the risk of postoperative ulnar neuropathy?

. Figure-of-8 (Jobe) technique
. Docking technique
. Routine submuscular ulnar nerve transposition
. Primary repair with internal bracing
. Routine subcutaneous ulnar nerve transposition

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Docking technique


Explanation

The docking technique utilizes a muscle-splitting approach that avoids routine handling and transposition of the ulnar nerve. This significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative ulnar neuropathy compared to the classic figure-of-8 (Jobe) technique.

Question 659

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

A 35-year-old bodybuilder experiences a sharp pop in his anterior elbow during a heavy deadlift, followed by ecchymosis and weakness in forearm supination. He undergoes a single-incision anterior surgical repair of the distal biceps tendon. Which nerve is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury during this specific surgical approach?

. Ulnar nerve
. Anterior interosseous nerve
. Lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve
. Posterior interosseous nerve
. Median nerve

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve


Explanation

The lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LABC) is superficially located in the antecubital fossa and is the most commonly injured nerve during a single-incision anterior approach for distal biceps repair. The PIN is more at risk in the two-incision technique.

Question 660

Topic: Nerve & Tendon

A 20-year-old collegiate baseball pitcher presents with medial elbow pain and decreased pitching velocity. MRI arthrogram shows a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) at its distal attachment. After failure of non-operative management, UCL reconstruction is planned. Which nerve is most at risk during this surgical procedure?

. Median nerve
. Radial nerve
. Musculocutaneous nerve
. Ulnar nerve
. Posterior interosseous nerve

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Ulnar nerve


Explanation

The ulnar nerve courses immediately posterior to the medial epicondyle in the cubital tunnel and is highly vulnerable during UCL reconstruction. Surgeons must carefully protect it, often requiring neurolysis or anterior transposition.