Anatomy: Upper Limb Function

The ability to type on a keyboard primarily relies on which function of the upper limb?

An individual is having difficulty buttoning their shirt. Which aspect of upper limb function is MOST likely impaired?

A construction worker frequently lifts heavy materials overhead. Which upper limb function MOST supports this activity?

A patient reports losing the ability to discern the shape and texture of an object without looking at it. Which function of the upper limb might be impaired?

If a patient has damage to the C6 nerve root, which movement would MOST likely be affected?

Which nerve root is MOST associated with shoulder abduction?

A patient presents with the inability to extend their elbow and wrist. Which nerve root is MOST likely affected?

Where does the brachial plexus pass through as it extends into the upper limb?

Which condition is MOST likely to result from compression of the C8 and T1 nerve roots?

Osteophytes in cervical spondylosis can cause compressed foraminal stenosis, MOST directly affecting the:

A patient is diagnosed with a Pancoast tumor affecting the lower trunk of the brachial plexus. Which symptom is MOST likely to be present?

Narrowing of the intervertebral foramen would MOST directly affect which part of the brachial plexus?

What is the MOST likely outcome of a lesion to the musculocutaneous nerve proximal to its entry into the coracobrachialis muscle?

A patient has weakness in forearm supination and lateral forearm sensory loss. Which nerve is MOST likely injured?

Which condition is MOST characterized by a loss of pain and temperature sensation on one side of the body and a loss of proprioception on the opposite side?

Damage to a single spinal nerve root will result in the loss of:

Lesions that occur in the peripheral nerves, will MOST directly affect which?

Which muscle directly attaches the scapula to the axial skeleton?

Which muscle is PRIMARILY responsible for upwardly rotating the glenoid (assisting in abduction of the arm)?

What is the primary function of middle fibers of the trapezius muscle?

Which nerve innervates the trapezius muscle?

Which action is the Rhomboid muscle MOST responsible for?

Which nerve innervates the rhomboid muscles?

A patient exhibits 'scapular winging.' Which muscle is MOST likely affected?

The serratus anterior muscle attaches to the:

What nerve innervates the Serratus Anterior?

The latissimus dorsi muscle inserts __________ on the proximal humeral shaft.

Which motion does the latissimus dorsi muscle perform at the glenohumeral (GH) joint?

Which nerve innervates the latissimus dorsi muslce?

The Teres Major inserts ___________ on the proximal humeral shaft like the latissimus dorsi

Which nerve innervates the Teres Major?

The Pectoralis Major inserts ___________ on the proximal humerus.

The sternocostal fibers of the pectoralis major facilitate?

A patient has injured their axillary nerve. Which shoulder muscle will be MOST affected?

What is the MAIN function of the lateral fibers of the deltoid?

Through which anatomical space does the axillary nerve pass?

What other nerve runs in the posterior compartment of the arm along with the Triceps muscles?

Damage to the musculocutaneous nerve will MOST directly affect what motion?

Which structure would be affected with a mid-shaft fracture of the humerus?

The Supraspinatus muscle attaches to the:?

Which nerve innervates both the Supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscle?

The Teres Minor's main action is:

After a clavicle fracture, upward rotation of the glenoid cavity becomes difficult. Which of the following muscles is MOST likely affected?

A patient reports numbness and tingling along the lateral aspect of their forearm. Injury to which nerve is MOST likely responsible for these symptoms?

During a wrestling match, a wrestler sustains a traction injury to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. Which combination of movements would MOST likely be weakened as a result?

A surgeon is repairing a mid-shaft fracture of the humerus. Which nerve is MOST at risk during this procedure?

A patient has difficulty with both abduction and lateral rotation of the arm. Assuming a single nerve is affected, which of the following is the MOST likely site of injury?

Besides the Glenohumeral (GH), Acromioclavicular (AC), and Sternoclavicular (SC) joints, an additional muscular articulation connects the shoulder girdle to the axial skeleton. What is the name of this articulation?

A patient has fractured their clavicle. Palpation reveals a prominent bump on the anterior chest, close to the midline. Which part of the clavicle is MOST likely fractured?

Following a clavicle fracture close to the AC joint, the patient experiences pain with deltoid function. What is the MOST likely reason for this?

During a physical exam, it is noted that a patient's clavicle appears to be abnormally elevated at the acromial end. What is the MOST likely explanation?

What is the primary function of the clavicle in relation to forces that traverse the upper limb?

A patient who fell on their outstretched hand is diagnosed with a mid-shaft clavicle fracture. Which direction is the medial fragment of the fractured clavicle MOST likely displaced?

In a mid-shaft clavicle fracture, which muscle is primarily responsible for the downward displacement of the lateral fragment?

Compared to ligament injuries of the Acromioclavicular or Sternoclavicular joint, clavicle fractures are:

A patient presents with a visible 'step' deformity at the AC joint following a sports injury, but the rounded contour of the shoulder is maintained. What does this indicate?

What structural characteristic of the glenohumeral joint allows for its extensive range of motion?

On an X-ray of the glenohumeral joint, what does a lateral (Y) view primarily help to determine?

Which structural component provides primary stability to the shoulder joint?

Why is the shoulder joint more dependent on soft tissue structures for stability compared to the hip joint?

A patient has a compromised supraspinatus tendon. What structure would BEST compensate for this?

A patient recovering from a shoulder injury is prescribed exercises to strengthen dynamic stabilizers. Which of the following muscle groups should be the FOCUS of these exercises?

How does the glenoid labrum contribute to the stability of the glenohumeral joint?

What is the primary function of the capsule and ligaments surrounding the glenohumeral joint?

A patient's shoulder demonstrates excessive inferior translation during examination. Which ligament(s) are MOST likely compromised?

Compared to the ligaments of the knee, what is a key characteristic of the glenohumeral joint capsule?

A patient presents with a shoulder injury sustained during a wrestling match, showing signs of anterior shoulder dislocation. During which movement was the shoulder MOST likely dislocated?

Following a shoulder dislocation, a patient presents with a flattened deltoid and a prominent acromion process with the arm held in slight abduction. What type of dislocation is MOST likely?

A patient is diagnosed with an anterior shoulder dislocation. During a physical examination, what specific observation would suggest that the humeral head has slipped inferomedially?

What radiographic view is BEST for identifying anterior shoulder dislocation?

A patient with a history of seizures presents with their arm held in internal rotation. Which type of shoulder dislocation is MOST suspected?

Which of these mechanisms is MOST suggestive of an inferior shoulder dislocation?

A patient has recurrent shoulder dislocations. What is an expected finding?

What causes shoulder apprehension during the apprehension test?

What is the primary injury associated with a Bankart lesion?

What typically causes a Hill-Sachs lesion?

Under what circumstance is an 'inferior sulcus sign' observed following an anterior should dislocation?

Following an anterior shoulder dislocation, a patient exhibits weakness in shoulder abduction and external rotation, along with sensory loss over the lateral aspect of the upper arm. Which nerve is MOST likely injured?

Why is the axillary nerve particularly vulnerable in anterior shoulder dislocations?

After a shoulder injury, a patient is diagnosed with axillary artery damage. What is the MOST important sign to check for?

During abduction of the arm, the supraspinatus initiates the movement, but which muscle is primarily responsible for continuing the abduction from approximately 30 degrees upwards?

To achieve full shoulder abduction, simultaneous movements of the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joints must occur. What is the ratio?

How is the subacromial space optimized during shoulder abduction to prevent impingement?

What set of structures defines the subacromial space?

Which of the following structures is LEAST likely to be found inside of the subacromial space?

Malposition of the humeral head results in impingement of tendons is a primary cause of what condition?

During a shoulder impingement assessment, during which part of abduction is pain MOST likely present?

During the Hawkins-Kennedy test, what sensations is the patient asked to reflect on?

To assess the supraspinatus muscle in isolation, which test should be performed?

During a belly press test, what is the primary movement being resisted by the examiner?

Besides the Glenohumeral (GH), Acromioclavicular (AC), and Sternoclavicular (SC) joints, how is the upper limb connected to the axial skeleton?

Which part of the clavicle has an anterior convexity and is easily palpable throughout its length?

Which statement BEST describes the role of the clavicle in transmitting forces?

During a clavicle fracture, which of the following muscles would MOST likely pull the medial fragment upwards?

A patient who experienced trauma to the shoulder exhibits signs of clavicle fracture and potential injury to the neurovascular structures. If this is UNTREATED, which structure is MOST at risk for further injury?

Following a fall onto the shoulder, a patient exhibits an AC joint dislocation. Which of the following physical exam findings would suggest that the GH joint remains intact?

In an AC joint dislocation where the rounded shoulder contour is unaffected, which anatomical structure remains the MOST lateral?

What structural feature of the glenohumeral joint contributes MOST to its extensive range of motion?

What percentage of the humeral head's articular surface is typically in contact with the glenoid fossa at any given time?

Why are soft tissue structures, rather than bony factors, considered MOST important for shoulder stability?

Which of the following structures is MOST directly associated with deepening the glenoid fossa to enhance shoulder stability?

Which statement BEST describes the function of the coracoacromial ligament in shoulder stability?

During shoulder abduction, what is the approximate ratio of glenohumeral to scapulothoracic movement after the initial phase of supraspinatus activation?

Which rotator cuff muscle works together with the infraspinatus to produce an external rotation?

During shoulder abduction, how does the body optimize space in order to avoid impingement?

Which bony landmark of the elbow serves primarily as a medial attachment point for ligaments and muscles?

A patient presents with tenderness upon palpation of the lateral aspect of their elbow. Which anatomical structure is MOST likely involved?

Which statement accurately describes the humero-ulnar joint's contribution to elbow movement?

During elbow joint articulation, which structure on the radius primarily interacts with the capitellum of the humerus?

In a radiograph of the elbow, which bony landmark is MOST useful for evaluating proper alignment and joint congruity in the lateral view?

What is the PRIMARY motion occurring at the proximal radio-ulnar joint?

Which statement accurately describes the relationship between the elbow joint and its synovial cavity?

A patient reports pain located posterolaterally on their elbow, but not along the lateral epicondyle. Which condition might be suspected?

What is the MAIN role of the annular ligament in the elbow joint?

Which statement accurately describes the function of the lateral collateral ligament complex (LCL) of the elbow?

What stabilizing role does the medial collateral ligament (MCL) play in the elbow joint?

Damage to which of the described 'columns' of elbow stability is MOST likely to result in elbow instability?

A child presents with a pulled elbow. What is the MOST likely mechanism of injury?

What clinical presentation is MOST indicative of a proximal radioulnar dislocation (pulled elbow) in a child?

A patient is diagnosed with a 'terrible triad' injury of the elbow. What combination of injuries does this MOST likely include?

Following a traumatic elbow injury, a patient presents with signs of ulnar nerve and brachial artery compromise. Which type of injury should be suspected?

Monteggia fractures are characterized by which combination of injuries?

Which nerve is MOST at risk of injury with supracondylar fractures of the humerus?

Which vascular structure is MOST vulnerable to damage from displaced supracondylar humeral fractures, potentially leading to Volkmann ischemic contracture?

Volkmann ischemic contracture is MOST directly a complication of untreated ischemia affecting which anatomical region?

During a radiographic examination of a child's elbow following a traumatic injury, what is the significance of identifying secondary ossification centers?

Compared to adults, why are epiphyseal injuries more common in children?

A 7-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department after falling off a swing. Radiographs reveal a swollen elbow and potential fracture. At approximately what age should you expect to see the capitellum ossification center?

Which of the following is a radiographic sign of a supracondylar fracture?

The anterior humeral line in a normal elbow radiograph should intersect with which portion of the capitellum?

In assessing lateral elbow radiographs for a suspected supracondylar fracture, what finding suggests that the radiocapitellar line is disrupted?

What normal anatomical relationship needs to remain intact in order to assess the elbow joint on physical examination?

In the anterior compartment of the forearm, which muscles primarily facilitate pronation at the proximal and distal radio-ulnar joints?

Which muscles in the anterior compartment of the forearm share a common function of flexing the wrist?

What is the PRIMARY action facilitated by the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus muscles?

Which muscle in the anterior compartment of the forearm is responsible for flexing the thumb?

What forearm muscles are innervated by the median nerve and are located in the anterior compartment?

Medial epicondylitis involves inflammation at the origin of forearm flexors. Which pathological change is MOST likely associated with this condition?

The brachioradialis muscle is unique due to its placement. Where is it located?

What forearm movements are facilitated by the brachioradialis muscle?

What nerve innervates the brachioradialis muscle?

What is the PRIMARY innervation of the majority of the posterior compartment muscles of the forearm?

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is PRIMARILY caused by overuse of which muscle group?

Medially, which muscle tendon bounds the anatomical snuffbox?

Which statement accurately describes the contents of the anatomical snuffbox?

What key function is affected by rupture of the extensor tendon at the DIP joint?

What is the relationship between the ulnar nerve and the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle in the forearm?

What is the relationship between the median nerve and the pronator teres muscle?

The anterior interosseous branch of the median nerve innervates which of the following muscles?

What muscles stay anterior and run on the FDP?