UNIT 1: nerves/veins/arteries &clinical damage

Question 1

what are the three main nerves found in the forearm?

Answer 1

anterior - median/ ulnar

posterior - radial

Question 2

what arteries found in forearm?

Answer 2

• brachial artery divides into radial and ulnar artery

Question 3

what veins found in forearm?

Answer 3

superficial/deep veins

Question 4

what nerves found in arm?

Answer 4

• median
• ulnar
• musculocutaneous
• radial

Question 5

where does the brachial artery start and end?

Answer 5

starts on inferior border of teres major and ends in cubital fossa

Question 6

what branches of the brachial artery are found in the lateral and medial aspect?

Answer 6

lateral: muscular branches/ humeral nutrient artery
medial: profunda brachii/ superior and inferior collateral arteries

Question 7

what veins are found in arm?

Answer 7

• superficial: cephalic/ basilic

- deep: brachial vein which merges with basilic vein to form axillary vein

Question 8

how does a shoulder drop occur?

Answer 8

• fracture in clavicle - force/ fall
• SCM (sternocleidomastoid) muscle elevates medial fragment of bone
• trapezius cant hold up lateral fragment so shoulder drops

Question 9

how can fracture to scapula be caused and what will show?

Answer 9

• severe trauma

- protruding subcutaneous acromion

Question 10

how can axillary nerve be damaged?

Answer 10

• fracture to surgical neck of humerus
• flattened shoulder
• atrophy of deltoid
• loss of sensation to lateral side of proximal part of arm

Question 11

how can you test the function of axillary nerve/ deltoid?

Answer 11

abduct arm from 15 degrees against resistance

Question 12

how can injury to the musculocutaneous nerve occur and what does this result in?

Answer 12

• stab wound
• paralysis of coracobrachialis, biceps and brachialis
• weakened flexion of elbow/ supination of fore arm
• loss of sensation on lateral surface of forearm

Question 13

what rupture is associated with a snap anda pop?

Answer 13

rupture of tendon of long head of biceps

- due to biceps tendinitis - detached muscle belly forms a ball near centre of distal part of arm

Question 14

what is the characteristic clinical sign of radial nerve injury?

Answer 14

wrist drop -caused by fracture in humeral shaft

Question 15

what is the clinical sign of median nerve injury?

Answer 15

cannot oppose thumb (limited abduction) due to paralysis and atrophy of thenar muscles
- loss of sensation in thumb and 2nd/3rd digits

Question 16

which nerve injury produces characteristic claw hand injury?

Answer 16

ulnar nerve

Question 17

what is clinical sign of carpal tunnel syndrome?

• how can it be caused
• how is it relieved

Answer 17

pins and needles in palm/ paresthesia in lateral 3 and a half digits

• can be caused by fracture to scaphoid - trapping median nerve
• released by cutting flexor retinaculum

Question 18

why does a “pulled elbow” occur?

where will the pain occur?

Answer 18

subluxation (temporary dislocation) of the head of the radius

• tears distal attachment of annular ligament
• pain occurs when ligament is pinched by becoming trapped between the head of the radius and capitulum of the humerus

Question 19

what will happen if hamate is fractured?

Answer 19

• decreased grip ability in hand due to nonuion of fractured parts and injury to ulnar nerve

Question 20

what causes the clinical sign of winged scapula?

Answer 20

damage to serratus anterior by damage of long thoracic nerve

Question 21

what is a sign of fracture of scaphoid and what complications does this lead to?

Answer 21

pain in anatomical snuffbox

- cut off blood supply to proximal scaphoid since blood runs distal to proximal - avascular necrosis

Question 22

what does the anatomical snuffbox contain?

Answer 22

radial artery
superficial branch of radial nerve
cephalic vein