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Sensory innervation of the upper extremity 02

Topic: Anatomy

Created on Friday, January 25 2008 by jdmiles

Last modified on Friday, January 25 2008.

During a neurologic exam, you apply pressure to a patient's thumb nail bed, and he tells you that he is able to feel it normally. In general, this suggests that which of the following peripheral structures are intact?

 
        A) Radial nerve, lateral cord of the brachial plexus, and C6 spinal nerve
 
        B) Ulnar nerve, posterior cord of the brachial plexus, and C8 spinal nerve
 
        C) Ulnar nerve, medial cord of the brachial plexus, and C7 spinal nerve
 
        D) Median nerve, lateral cord of the brachial plexus, and C6 spinal nerve
 
        E) Median nerve, lateral cord of the brachial plexus, and C5 spinal nerve
 

 


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This question was created on January 25, 2008 by jdmiles.
This question was last modified on January 25, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS




A) radial nerve, lateral cord of the brachial plexus, and C6 spinal nerve

This answer is incorrect.


The superficial branch of the radial nerve provides some sensation to the dorsum of the thumb, but typically not to the thumb nail bed.   (See References)

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B) ulnar nerve, posterior cord of the brachial plexus, and C8 spinal nerve

This answer is incorrect.


The posterior cord does not typically provide sensation to the thumb nail bed. The ulnar nerve does not typically provide sensation to the thumb nail bed. C8 does not typically provide sensation to the thumb nail bed.   (See References)

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C) ulnar nerve, medial cord of the brachial plexus, and C7 spinal nerve

This answer is incorrect.


The medial cord does not typically provide sensation to the thumb nail bed. The ulnar nerve does not typically provide sensation to the thumb nail bed. C7 does not typically provide sensation to the thumb nail bed.   (See References)

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D) median nerve, lateral cord of the brachial plexus, and C6 spinal nerve

This answer is correct.


Sensation from the thumb nail bed is generally carried by the median nerve, lateral cord, and C6 spinal nerve.   (See References)

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E) median nerve, lateral cord of the brachial plexus, and C5 spinal nerve

This answer is incorrect.


C5 does not typically provide sensation to the thumb nail bed.   (See References)

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References:

1. Guarantors of Brain. (2000). Aids to the Examination of the Peripheral Nervous System, fourth Edition. W.B. Saunders, Edinburgh. (ISBN:0702025127) Advertising:
2. Biller, J. (2005). Practical Neurology DVD Reveiew. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia. (ISBN:0781757533) Advertising:
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anatomy
Sensory innervation of the upper extremity 02
Question ID: 012508091
Question written by J. Douglas Miles, (C) 2006-2009, all rights reserved.
Created: 01/25/2008
Modified: 01/25/2008
Estimated Permutations: 6283200

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