Question 641
Topic: Nerve & TendonA 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?
Correct Answer & Explanation
. Adductor pollicis
Practice Set 33 of 53
This practice set contains high-yield board review questions covering key concepts in Nerve & Tendon. Each clinical scenario is designed to test your diagnostic and management skills relevant to this subspecialty.
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
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:
. Osborne's ligament
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
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:
. Osborne's ligament
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 posterior interosseous nerve
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 Median nerves
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 pollicis longus; Anterior interosseous nerve
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 pronator teres (median nerve)
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?
. Martin-Gruber anastomosis
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:
. Median nerve to the ulnar nerve in the forearm
. At the hook of the hamate in the deep palmar space (Zone II)
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 2 (deep motor branch)
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?
. Posterior interosseous nerve
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 unipennate, originates from the radial side of the index finger FDP tendon, and is innervated by the median nerve.
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?

. Ulnar neuropathy
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?
. Ulnar neuropathy
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?
. Medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve
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?
. Docking technique
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?
. Lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve
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?
. Ulnar nerve