Upper limb and brachial plexus: median nerve at the wrist: 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: median nerve at the wrist

Sample item

For a carpal tunnel injection, the surgeon identifies the tendon of palmaris longus just proximal to the wrist crease. Where does the median nerve lie in relation to the tendons at this level?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Deep to palmaris longus, between it and flexor carpi radialis

At the wrist the median nerve lies just deep and slightly radial to the palmaris longus tendon, between it and the flexor carpi radialis tendon, so a needle placed ulnar to palmaris longus avoids the nerve. In the absence of palmaris longus, the nerve lies mainly between flexor carpi radialis and the superficialis tendons.

Option by option

  • A. Deep to palmaris longus, between it and flexor carpi radialis (correct)

    Correct. The nerve lies deep to palmaris longus and next to flexor carpi radialis.

  • B. Superficial to palmaris longus

    The nerve is deep to the tendon and not superficial to it.

  • C. Medial to flexor carpi ulnaris

    The ulnar nerve, not the median nerve, lies next to flexor carpi ulnaris.

  • D. Lateral to flexor carpi radialis

    Lateral to flexor carpi radialis lies the radial artery.

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.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is A, Deep to palmaris longus, between it and flexor carpi radialis. At the wrist the median nerve lies just deep and slightly radial to the palmaris longus tendon, between it and the flexor carpi radialis tendon, so a needle placed ulnar to palmaris longus avoids the nerve.

Why is "Superficial to palmaris longus" not the answer?

The nerve is deep to the tendon and not superficial to it.

Why is "Medial to flexor carpi ulnaris" not the answer?

The ulnar nerve, not the median nerve, lies next to flexor carpi ulnaris.

Why is "Lateral to flexor carpi radialis" not the answer?

Lateral to flexor carpi radialis lies the radial artery.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Upper limb and brachial plexus: median nerve at the wrist in Anatomy. In the absence of palmaris longus, the nerve lies mainly between flexor carpi radialis and the superficialis tendons.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: median nerve at the wrist?

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.