Nerve & Tendon MCQs

A surgeon is performing a release of the first dorsal compartment for De Quervain's tenosynovitis. To avoid recurrence of symptoms, it is critical to identify and release all tendon slips. The surgeon must specifically look for a separate fascial subcompartment that frequently houses which of the following tendons?

A 32-year-old avid cyclist presents with profound weakness of finger abduction and adduction. He has a positive Froment's sign. However, his hypothenar muscles (abductor digiti minimi) possess normal strength, and his sensation over the volar small finger is completely intact. In which zone of Guyon's canal is the ulnar nerve most likely compressed?

A 45-year-old construction worker presents with pain, cold intolerance, and pale discoloration of his ring and small fingers. An Allen test demonstrates delayed capillary refill when the ulnar artery is assessed.

Angiography confirms thrombosis of the ulnar artery in Guyon's canal. Which of the following anatomic structures acts as the 'anvil' against which the ulnar artery is repeatedly traumatized in this condition?

A 40-year-old female presents with sudden onset weakness in her right hand.

When asked to make an 'OK' sign, the IP joint of her thumb and the DIP joint of her index finger remain fully extended. She has no sensory deficits. What is the most common anatomic structure responsible for compression of the involved nerve?

A 32-year-old postpartum female undergoes a surgical release of the first dorsal compartment for refractory De Quervain's tenosynovitis.

Failure to recognize which of the following anatomic variations is the most common cause of incomplete symptom relief following this procedure?

A 35-year-old male presents with a low ulnar nerve palsy and a claw deformity of the ring and small fingers. When the examiner stabilizes the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints in slight flexion, the patient is able to actively extend the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. This physical examination finding indicates:

A 42-year-old basketball player jammed his finger 4 weeks ago. He now presents with a PIP joint flexion posture and DIP joint hyperextension. Which of the following is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism for this deformity?

A patient sustains a complete transection of the median nerve at the elbow. Unexpectedly, the patient retains motor function in the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle, but electrodiagnostic testing reveals the ulnar nerve is intact at the elbow. Which of the following anatomical variants explains this finding?

A 45-year-old avid cyclist presents with isolated weakness of finger abduction and adduction. He has normal sensation over his small and ring fingers, and normal function of the hypothenar muscles. In which zone of Guyon's canal is the ulnar nerve compressed?

Which of the following is the most common site of ulnar nerve compression leading to cubital tunnel syndrome?

You are reviewing axial CT imaging of the upper extremity. In the proximal forearm, the median nerve passes between the two heads of the pronator teres. Which of the following structures passes between the ulnar and humeral heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU)?

During an in situ decompression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, the surgeon must release a distinct fascial band that bridges the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) from the medial epicondyle to the olecranon. What is the name of this structure?

A deep laceration to the palm severs the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve. This injury will result in direct denervation of which of the following lumbrical muscles?

A 5-year-old sustains an injury to the elbow. Radiographs reveal a displaced lateral condyle fracture.

Which of the following is a classic long-term complication associated with an untreated nonunion of this fracture type?

A 10-year-old boy sustains a medial epicondyle fracture of the humerus following a fall. Which of the following represents an absolute indication for open reduction and internal fixation?

A 6-year-old boy sustains a completely displaced extension-type supracondylar humerus fracture.

Following closed reduction and percutaneous pinning, he cannot flex his interphalangeal joint of the thumb and the distal interphalangeal joint of the index finger. Which nerve is most likely injured?

A surgeon is performing an anterior (Henry) approach to the proximal radius. To safely expose the proximal third of the radius, the supinator muscle must be elevated. The posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) runs through the supinator. The proximal fibrous edge of the superficial head of the supinator is anatomically known as:

A patient is evaluated for weakness in making an 'OK' sign, demonstrating an inability to flex the interphalangeal joint of the thumb and the distal interphalangeal joint of the index finger. The injured nerve is ultimately derived from which cord(s) of the brachial plexus?

During closed reduction and percutaneous pinning of a supracondylar humerus fracture in a pediatric patient, a medial pin is placed. The patient subsequently exhibits weakness in spreading their fingers and numbness in the small digit. At what anatomical location does the affected nerve run in relation to the medial epicondyle?