Testing muscle groups of the upper limb Flashcards
How do you test the function of the sternomastoid muscle?
Patient to turn head to right or left against resistance.
How do you test the function of the trapezius muscle?
Patient to raise shoulders against resistance.
How do you test the function of the pectoralis muscles?
Patient to adduct abducted arm against resistance.
How do you test the function of the serratus anterior muscle?
Both arms of patient should be outstretched with palms against a wall.
Press forward strongly.
How do you test the function of the deltoid muscle?
Patient to abduct upper arm against resistance.
How do you test the function of rotator cuff muscles?
Supraspinatous: abduct arm to 90 degrees
Infraspinatous + Teres minor: patient’s arm with elbow flexed at 90 degrees, passively rotate arm to its max.
Subscapularis: patient to place their hand on lower back, apply light resistance to hand (pressing into lower back) + ask patient to move hand off their back
How do you test the function of the flexors and extensors of the forearm at the elbow?
Biceps: hold patient’s arm at elbow, get patient to flex their arm at the elbow, then repeat with resistance (push down in patient’s forearm whilst they try to resist)
Triceps: extend forearm against resistance
What nerve supplies the flexor pollicis longus muscle?
Median nerve via anterior interosseous br C8,T1.
What nerve supplies the extensor pollicis longus muscle?
Radial nerve via posterior interosseous br C7,8.
How do you assess the integrity of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle/tendon?
Hold the PIPJ in extended position while DIPJ is flexed against resistance.
What nerve supplies the flexor digitorum profundus muscle?
Ulnar nerve C8,T1 for 4th + 5th digits
Median nerve C8,T1 for 2nd + 3rd digits
How do you assess the integrity of the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle/tendon?
Each digit is tested separately.
Hold non-test fingers in full extension while PIPJ of the test finger is flexed against resistance.
How do you assess the integrity of the extensors of the wrist?
Extend wrist against resistance.
How do you assess the integrity of the extensors of the digits?
Extend fingers against resistance
How do you assess the integrity of the dorsal interossei muscles?
Hold adjacent extended + adducted fingers of the patient between your thumb + index finger while the patient attempts to abduct them.
What nerve supplies the dorsal and palmar interossei?
Ulnar nerve C8,T1
How do you assess the integrity of the palmar interossei muscles?
Patient to hold a slip of paper between adjacent fingers that are extended + adducted.
Patient to close fingers tightly on paper while you attempt to withdraw it.
How do you test the function of the biceps brachii muscle?
Patient to flex forearm against resistance.
How do you test the function of the triceps muscle?
Patient to extend flexed forearm against resistance.
How do you test the function of the brachioradialis muscle?
Patient to flex elbow against resistance with forearm in midprone position.
What muscles are tested when the patient flexes their wrist against resistance?
Flexor carpi ulnaris
Flexor carpi radialis
Palmaris longus
(Superficial wrist flexors of forearm)
How is pronation tested?
Patient sits with arms at side + elbow bent at 90 degrees with forearm in neutral
Support elbow + grasp forearm at the wrist palmar surface for resistance
Patient attempts to roll arm in pronation direction
How is supination tested?
Patient sits with arms a side + elbow bent at 90 degrees with forearm in neutral
Support elbow + grasp forearm at the wrist dorsal surface for resistance
Patient attempts to roll arm in supine direction
How would you test the superficial wrist flexors of the forearm?
Patient with forearm supine + wrist in neutral
Stabilise forearm against table with 1 hand + grasp patient’s hand in handshake position with other hand
Apply resistance to palm + ask patient to flex wrist
How would you test the thenar muscles?
Patient to touch their thumb to their small finger
How would you test the hypothenar muscles?
Patient to bring their little finger away from the others
