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Exams and Signs

MUSCLES INNERVATED BY THE MEDIAN NERVE

ABBREVIATIONS

PRONATOR TERES

PT

FLEXOR CARPI RADIALIS

FCR

PALMARIS LONGUS

PL

FLEXOR DIGITORUM SUPERFICIALIS (SUBLIMIS)

FDS

FLEXOR DIGITORUM PROFUNDUS

FDP

FLEXOR POLLICIS LONGUS

FPL

PRONATOR QUADRATUS

PQ

ABDUCTOR POLLICIS BREVIS

ABPB

FLEXOR POLLICIS BREVIS

FPB

OPPONENS POLLICIS

OP

LUMBRICALS

L

MUSCLES INNERVATED BY THE ULNAR NERVE

ABBREVIATIONS

FLEXOR CARPI ULNARIS

FCU

FLEXOR DIGITORUM PROFUNDUS

FDP

HYPOTHENAR MUSCLES

HTM

DORSAL AND PALMAR INTEROSSEI

I

LUMBRICALS

L

ADDUCTOR POLLICIS

ADP

FLEXOR POLLICIS BREVIS

FPB

MUSCLES INNERVATED BY THE RADIAL NERVE

ABBREVIATIONS

TRICEPS

T

ANCONEUS

A

EXTENSOR DIGITORUM COMMUNIS

EDC

EXTENSOR DIGITI MINIMI

EDM

EXTENSOR CARPI ULNARIS

ECU

EXTENSOR POLLICIS LONGUS

EPL

EXTENSOR INDICIS PROPRIUS

EIP

BRADIORADIALIS

BR

EXTENSOR CARPI RADIALIS LONGUS

ECRL

EXTENSOR CARPI RADIALIS BREVIS

ECRB

SUPINATOR

S

ABDUCTOR POLLICIS LONGUS

APL

EXTENSOR POLLICIS BREVIS

EPB

MUSCLES INNERVATED BY THE AXILLARY NERVE

ABBREVIATIONS

TERES MINOR

TM

DELTOID

D

Presentation Photos and Related Diagrams
  • Motor innervation of the Median Nerve
    Motor innervation of the Median Nerve
  • Motor innervation of the Ulnar Nerve
    Motor innervation of the Ulnar Nerve
  • Motor innervation of the Radial Nerve
    Motor innervation of the Radial Nerve
  • Radial Nerve Motor functioning demonstrated by testing EPL and EDC.
    Radial Nerve Motor functioning demonstrated by testing EPL and EDC.
  • Median Nerve Motor functioning demonstrated by testing thenar muscles.
    Median Nerve Motor functioning demonstrated by testing thenar muscles.
  • Median Nerve Motor functioning demonstrated by testing FPL.
    Median Nerve Motor functioning demonstrated by testing FPL.
  • Ulnar Nerve Motor functioning demonstrated by testing first dorsal interosseous muscle.
    Ulnar Nerve Motor functioning demonstrated by testing first dorsal interosseous muscle.
Definition of Positive Result
  • In muscle testing, a normal result is a positive one. During a normal muscle test, the examiner should observe a normal muscle contraction that can move the joint or tendon against full resistance.
Definition of Negative Result
  • In muscle testing, an abnormal result is a negative one. During an abnormal muscle test, the examiner should observe an abnormal muscle contraction that can move the joint or tendon. In a complete denervation injury, such as a complete nerve laceration, there will be no evidence of any muscle function and the muscle testing grade will be 0.
Comments and Pearls
  • The last muscle innervated by the ulnar nerve is the First Dorsal Interosseous
  • The last muscle innervated by the radial nerve is the Extensor Indicis Proprius
  • The last easily tested muscle innervated by the median nerve is the Thenar Muscles
Diagnoses Associated with Exams and Signs
Videos
Testing median, ulnar, and radial nerve motor function.
References
  1. Hollinshead, WH. Anatomy for Surgeons: Volume 3 The Back and Limbs. Harper & Row Publishers, Inc. New York, San Francisco, London, 1969.
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