Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Anatomy of the Limbs & Back > Week 5 - Nerve Injuries > Flashcards

Week 5 - Nerve Injuries Flashcards

1
Q

What is radiculopathy?

A

Nerve root(s) damaged

Affects dermatome & myotome, and might affect several peripheral nerves.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the main characteristic of neuropathy?

A

Peripheral nerve(s) damaged

Severely affects skin/muscles innervated by the nerve distal to injury.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is an example of radiculopathy?

A

C8 Radiculopathy

C8 contributes to ulnar, median & radial nerves, leading to partial weakness of muscles supplied by those nerves.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What occurs in ulnar nerve neuropathy?

A

Weakness (often complete paralysis) of muscles & skin innervated solely by ulnar nerve

This results in significant functional impairment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What distinguishes dermatome issues from cutaneous nerve distribution issues?

A

Dermatome issue indicates a CNS/spinal nerve issue, while cutaneous nerve distribution indicates a peripheral nerve issue

This is due to the mixing of nerve fibers in the brachial plexus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Who developed the original dermatome maps?

A

Foerster, 1933

Based on dissection, shingles distribution, and rhizotomy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What was the basis for the ‘new’ dermatome maps by Keegan & Garrett in 1948?

A

Hypoalgesia due to herniated IV disc and anaesthesia

Issues include the subjective nature of sensory-based methods and overlap of dermatomes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the three classifications of peripheral neuropathy according to Seddon?

A

I: Neurapraxia, II: Axonotmesis, III: Neurotmesis

Each classification varies based on severity and recovery potential.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is neurapraxia?

A

Temporary loss in function with recovery in <12 weeks

Caused by mild injury, toxins, or compression ischaemia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What happens in axonotmesis?

A

Axon & myelin sheath locally destroyed, with Wallerian degeneration distal to injury

Schwann cells clear myelin and guide regenerating axons.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the most severe classification of peripheral nerve injury?

A

Neurotmesis

Often requires surgery for recovery.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the five grades of Sunderland’s classification of peripheral nerve injury?

A

I: Neurapraxia, II: Axonotmesis, III: Endoneurium only, IV: Endoneurium & Perineurium, V: Endoneurium, Perineurium & Epineurium

This classification helps to assess the severity of nerve injuries.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the roots of the Brachial Plexus?

A

C5, C6, C7, C8, T1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What mnemonic can help remember the roots that contribute to proximal nerves?

A

Upper roots contribute more to proximal nerves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the mnemonic for the Musculocutaneous nerve?

A

Assassination – C5, C6

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Which roots are involved in the Upper Plexus Injury (Erb-Duchenne Palsy)?

A

C5, C6 (7)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is a characteristic posture of the arm in Upper Brachial Plexus Injury?

A

Arm adducted & medially rotated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the characteristic hand position in Lower Brachial Plexus Injury (Klumpke’s Palsy)?

A

Total claw hand & ape hand

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What percentage of neonatal brachial plexus injury cases involve C5 and C6?

A

50%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the risk factor associated with neonatal brachial plexus injury?

A

Shoulder dystocia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What happens to the forearm in Erb’s Palsy plus (C5-7)?

A

Forearm is extended & pronated, wrist & fingers flexed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the term for the paralysis of the hand associated with C8 and T1 injuries?

A

Klumpke’s

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is Horner’s Syndrome associated with?

A

Damage to T1

24
Q

What is the outcome for most cases of neonatal brachial plexus injury?

A

Most recover spontaneously

25
Q

What is a common surgical intervention for persistent impairment in brachial plexus injuries?

A

Contracture release, tendon-transfer, nerve-transfer surgery

26
Q

True or False: The lower roots contribute more to proximal nerves.

27
Q

Fill in the blank: The mnemonic for the Axillary nerve is _______.

A

Five RATS – C5, C6, C7, C8, T1

28
Q

What is the characteristic function loss in Upper Brachial Plexus Injury?

A

Reduction/loss of function of muscles innervated by C5, 6 fibres

29
Q

What are the main affected muscles in Erb’s Palsy?

A

Deltoid, Infraspinatus, & biceps

30
Q

What is the incidence rate of neonatal brachial plexus injury?

A

1/666 live births

31
Q

What is the route of the Axillary Nerve?

A

Runs posteriorly, medial to humeral neck to enter the Quadrangular space

Supplies the deltoid, teres minor, and skin of the ‘regimental badge area’ of the shoulder.

32
Q

What are the common mechanisms of injury for the Axillary Nerve?

A
  • Shoulder dislocation
  • Humeral fracture
  • Sleeping with arms above head
33
Q

What symptoms are associated with Axillary Nerve injury?

A
  • Difficulty abducting & laterally rotating arm
  • Numbness of superolateral arm
  • Eventually atrophy of deltoid
34
Q

What is the route of the Musculocutaneous Nerve?

A

Pierces coracobrachialis, runs between brachialis & biceps, becomes superficial lateral to biceps tendon

35
Q

What muscles does the Musculocutaneous Nerve supply?

A
  • Biceps
  • Brachialis
  • Coracobrachialis
36
Q

What are the mechanisms of injury for the Musculocutaneous Nerve?

A
  • Direct trauma in axilla
  • Shoulder dislocation
  • Overuse of anterior arm muscles
  • Iatrogenic
37
Q

What are the symptoms of Musculocutaneous Nerve injury?

A
  • Numbness of lateral forearm
  • Weakened elbow flexion
38
Q

What is the route of the Radial Nerve?

A

Exits axilla via Triangular interval, spirals around humerus between lateral & medial heads of triceps in Radial groove

39
Q

What muscles does the Radial Nerve supply?

A
  • Long & lateral heads of triceps
  • Brachioradialis
  • Extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL)
  • Extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB)
40
Q

What are the mechanisms of injury for the Radial Nerve?

A
  • Fracture of humeral shaft
  • Compression against humerus in spiral groove
  • Crutch paralysis
41
Q

What are the symptoms of Radial Nerve injury in the Spiral Groove?

A
  • Weak wrist & MCP extension (wrist drop)
  • Numb dorsal hand/forearm
  • Difficulty making a fist
42
Q

What can cause injury to the Deep Branch of the Radial Nerve?

A
  • Fracture of proximal radius
  • Radial head dislocation
  • Repetitive pronation/supination
43
Q

What are the symptoms of Deep Branch Radial Nerve injury?

A
  • Weak MCP extension & grip
  • No sensory loss
  • No deficits in elbow extension
44
Q

What is Wartenberg’s Syndrome?

A

Injury to Superficial Branch of Radial Nerve

Mechanisms include trauma, laceration, or compression.

45
Q

What are the symptoms of Superficial Branch of Radial Nerve injury?

A

Paraesthesias of dorsolateral hand/forearm

46
Q

What is the route of the Median Nerve?

A

Runs through cubital fossa deep to bicipital aponeurosis, passes between the 2 heads of pronator teres

47
Q

What muscles does the Median Nerve supply?

A
  • Most of the anterior forearm (except FCU & ½ of FDP)
  • Thenar muscles
  • Lumbricals 1 & 2
48
Q

What are the common mechanisms of injury for the Median Nerve?

A
  • Supracondylar humeral fracture
  • Laceration at wrist
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
49
Q

What are the symptoms of Median Nerve injury?

A
  • Weak wrist flexion with ulnar deviation
  • Cannot pronate
  • Weak/no MCP/IP flexion of digits 1-3
  • ‘Hand of Benediction’
50
Q

What is the presentation of Anterior Interosseous Nerve injury?

A

No sensory deficit, but forearm pain and inability to make an ‘OK hand sign’

51
Q

What is the route of the Ulnar Nerve?

A

Pierces medial intermuscular septum & runs posterior to medial epicondyle, enters cubital tunnel

52
Q

What are the common mechanisms of Ulnar Nerve injury?

A
  • Compression in cubital tunnel
  • Guyon’s canal
  • Arthritis
53
Q

What are the symptoms of Ulnar Nerve injury?

A
  • Weak wrist flexion with radial deviation
  • Loss of DIP flexion of digits 4 & 5
  • Claw hand
  • Paraesthesia of palmar & dorsal medial hand
54
Q

What is Froment’s Sign/Test?

A

Test for Ulnar Nerve injury, where adductor pollicis is paralyzed

55
Q

What happens in Long Thoracic Nerve Damage?

A

Medial border of scapula pulls away from ribcage due to weakening of Serratus anterior

56
Q

What is the usual treatment for Long Thoracic Nerve Damage?

A

Most heal with conservative treatment, surgery may involve transferring Pec. Major tendon to inferior scapula

Anatomy of the Limbs & Back (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions