Testing muscle groups of the upper limb

Question 1

How do you test the function of the sternocleidomastoid muscle?

Answer 1

Ask the patient to turn their head to right or left against resistance.

Question 2

How do you test the function of the trapezius muscle?

Answer 2

Ask the patient to raise both shoulders against resistance.

Question 3

How do you test the function of the pectoralis major muscle?

Answer 3

Ask the patient to adduct the abducted arm against resistance.

Question 4

How do you test the function of the serratus anterior muscle?

Answer 4

Both arms of the patient should be outstretched with the palms against a wall. Ak the patient to press forward strongly.

Question 5

How do you test the function of the teres major muscle?

Answer 5

Ask the patient to adduct their arm against resistance. See and palpate the muscle in the posterior axillary fold.

Question 6

How do you test the function of the latissimus dorsi muscle?

Answer 6

Ask the patient to abduct their arm to 90 degrees, then adduct against resistance. See and palpate the muscle in the posterior axillary fold.

Question 7

How do you test the function of the deltoid muscle?

Answer 7

Ask the patient to abduct the upper arm against resistance.

Question 8

How do you test the function of rotator cuff muscles?

Answer 8

With the patient in a seated position, ask them to raise their arm out to the side 90 degrees and flex the elbow 90 degrees as well. The hand should point to the ceiling. Gently stabilise the elbow with one hand while trying to internally rotate the shoulder by pushing on the patient’s wrist.

Question 9

How do you test the function of the flexors and extensors of the forearm?

Answer 9

Biceps- ask patient to flex their elbow (bend it) against resistance.
Triceps- ask patient to extend their elbow (straighten it) against resistance.

Question 10

How do you assess the integrity of the flexor pollicis longus muscle/tendon?

Answer 10

Hold the proximal phalanx of the thumb whilst the distal phalanx is flexed against resistance. The muscle or tendon is deep for palpation.

Question 11

What nerve supplies the flexor pollicis longus muscle?

Answer 11

Median nerve via anterior interosseous br C8,T1.

Question 12

How do you assess the integrity of the extensor pollicis longus muscle/tendon?

Answer 12

Thumb is extended against resistance at the interphalangeal joint. Tendon visible at the medial border of the snuff box and medial to dorsal tubercle of radius.

Question 13

What nerve supplies the extensor pollicis longus muscle?

Answer 13

Radial nerve via posterior interosseous br C78.

Question 14

How do you assess the integrity of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle/tendon?

Answer 14

Hold the proximal interphalangeal joint in extended position while the distal IP joint is flexed against resistance.

Question 15

What nerve supplies the flexor digitorum profundus muscle?

Answer 15

Ulnar nerve C8,T1 for 4th and 5th digits

Median nerve C8,T1 for 2nd and 3rd digits

Question 16

How do you assess the integrity of the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle/tendon?

Answer 16

Each digit is tested separately.
Hold the patient’s non-test fingers in full extension while the proximal IP joint of the test finger is flexed against resistance.

Question 17

What nerve supplies the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle?

Answer 17

Median nerve C78,T1.

Question 18

How do you assess the integrity of the extensor digitorum muscle/tendon?

Answer 18

The forearm is pronated and the digits extended at MCP joints. Apply resistance on the proximal phalanges. The tendons become visible and palpable on the dorsal of the hand, and the muscle belly is palpable on the forearm.

Question 19

What nerve supplies the extensor digitorum muscle?

Answer 19

Radial nerve C78.

Question 20

How do you assess the integrity of the dorsal interossei muscles?

Answer 20

Hold the adjacent extended and adducted fingers of the patient between your thumb and index finger while the patient attempts to abduct them.

Question 21

What nerve supplies the dorsal and palmar interossei?

Answer 21

Ulnar nerve C8,T1

Question 22

How do you assess the integrity of the palmar interossei muscles?

Answer 22

Ask the patient to hold a slip of paper between adjacent fingers that are extended and adducted.
Ask the patient to close their fingers tightly on the paper while you attempt to withdraw it.

Question 23

What nerve supplies the biceps brachii muscle?

Answer 23

Musculocutaneous nerve C567.

Question 24

What nerve supplies the triceps muscle?

Answer 24

Radial nerve C678.

Question 25

What nerve supplies the brachioradialis muscle?

Answer 25

Radial nerve C567.

Question 26

What nerve supplies the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle?

Answer 26

Ulnar nerve C78.

Question 27

What nerve supplies the palmaris longus muscle?

Answer 27

Median nerve C67.

Question 28

What nerve supplies the flexor carpi radialis muscle?

Answer 28

Median nerve C67.

Question 29

How do you test the function of the biceps brachii muscle?

Answer 29

Ask the patient to flex their forearm against resistance.

Question 30

How do you test the function of the triceps muscle?

Answer 30

Ask the patient to extend their flexed forearm against resistance.

Question 31

How do you test the function of the brachioradialis muscle?

Answer 31

Ask the patient to flex their elbow against resistance with forearm in midprone position.

Question 32

What muscles are tested when the patient flexes their wrist against resistance?

Answer 32

Flexor carpi ulnaris
Flexor carpi radialis
Palmaris longus