Upper limb and brachial plexus: superficial radial nerve: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Upper limb and brachial plexus: superficial radial nerve

Sample item

A man wearing tight handcuffs develops tingling over the dorsum of the thumb and the lateral back of the hand, but no weakness. Which nerve is compressed?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Superficial branch of the radial nerve

The superficial branch of the radial nerve is purely sensory. It emerges from under brachioradialis and crosses the wrist superficially, where it is compressed by tight straps or handcuffs, causing numbness over the lateral dorsum of the hand without weakness.

Option by option

  • A. Posterior interosseous nerve

    This is a motor nerve, and its lesion would cause weakness instead of numbness.

  • B. Dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve

    This nerve supplies the medial dorsum of the hand and the ulnar fingers.

  • C. Palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve

    This branch supplies the skin over the thenar eminence on the palm side.

  • D. Superficial branch of the radial nerve (correct)

    Correct. This sensory nerve lies subcutaneously at the wrist and gives numbness without weakness.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Superficial branch of the radial nerve. The superficial branch of the radial nerve is purely sensory.

Why is "Posterior interosseous nerve" not the answer?

This is a motor nerve, and its lesion would cause weakness instead of numbness.

Why is "Dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve" not the answer?

This nerve supplies the medial dorsum of the hand and the ulnar fingers.

Why is "Palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve" not the answer?

This branch supplies the skin over the thenar eminence on the palm side.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Upper limb and brachial plexus: superficial radial nerve in Anatomy. It emerges from under brachioradialis and crosses the wrist superficially, where it is compressed by tight straps or handcuffs, causing numbness over the lateral dorsum of the hand without weakness.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Upper limb and brachial plexus: superficial radial nerve?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.