Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

How Well Do You Know the Ulnar Nerve Pathway?

Take the ulnar nerve anatomy challenge - trace its brachial plexus pathway!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for ulnar nerve pathway quiz on a teal background.

Are you ready to explore the ulnar nerve pathway in depth and put your knowledge of ulnar nerve anatomy and ulnar nerve function to the test? Introducing the Master the Ulnar Nerve Pathway - Free Quiz Challenge, perfect for anatomy enthusiasts, medical students, and healthcare professionals eager to reinforce their command of the brachial plexus ulnar nerve route. You'll trace each branch, identify key landmarks, and tackle clinical scenarios that bring theory to life. For a broader perspective, dip into our neurological system quiz and enhance your skills with an interactive activity nerve plexuses . Take on the ulnar nerve pathway quiz now, challenge yourself, and see how you score - let's get started!

From which spinal nerve roots does the ulnar nerve primarily arise?
C5-C6
C6-C7
C8-T1
T1-T2
The ulnar nerve originates from the ventral rami of C8 and T1 spinal nerves in the brachial plexus. These fibers travel through the medial cord before forming the ulnar nerve. Knowledge of the root origins is essential for understanding nerve injuries and associated sensory deficits in the medial forearm and hand. Wikipedia
The ulnar nerve is a direct continuation of which cord of the brachial plexus?
Lateral cord
Medial cord
Posterior cord
Upper trunk
Within the brachial plexus, the ulnar nerve arises as the terminal branch of the medial cord, which contains fibers from C8 and T1. The lateral cord gives rise to the musculocutaneous and part of the median nerve, while the posterior cord forms the radial and axillary nerves. Recognizing this helps in localizing lesions within the plexus. Kenhub
At the wrist, the ulnar nerve passes through which anatomical canal?
Carpal tunnel
Guyon's canal
Cubital tunnel
Tarsal tunnel
The ulnar nerve enters the hand by passing through Guyon's canal, located at the ulnar side of the wrist. This canal is formed by the pisiform and hamate bones and the overlying ligament. Compression here can lead to sensory and motor deficits in the ulnar distribution. Wikipedia
Which muscles in the forearm are innervated by the ulnar nerve?
Flexor carpi ulnaris and medial half of flexor digitorum profundus
Flexor carpi radialis and lateral half of flexor digitorum profundus
Pronator teres and palmaris longus
Brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis longus
In the forearm, the ulnar nerve innervates the flexor carpi ulnaris and the medial (ulnar) half of the flexor digitorum profundus, supplying flexion at the wrist and distal interphalangeal joints of the ring and little fingers. Other muscles like the flexor carpi radialis and pronator teres are innervated by the median nerve, while brachioradialis is radial. This distribution is critical when localizing nerve injuries. TeachMeAnatomy
Sensory innervation by the ulnar nerve includes which area of the hand?
Palmar surface of the lateral three and a half digits
Palmar and dorsal aspects of the medial one and a half digits
Thenar eminence
Dorsal radial side of the hand
The ulnar nerve supplies sensory innervation to the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the medial one and a half digits, namely the little finger and the medial half of the ring finger. The median nerve covers the lateral three and a half digits and the thenar eminence. Understanding these distributions aids in clinical sensory testing. Physio-Pedia
At the elbow, the ulnar nerve lies directly posterior to which bony landmark?
Lateral epicondyle of the humerus
Medial epicondyle of the humerus
Olecranon process
Coronoid process of the ulna
The ulnar nerve passes posterior to the medial epicondyle of the humerus within the cubital tunnel before entering the forearm. This superficial position makes it susceptible to trauma, often experienced as hitting the 'funny bone'. Recognition of this landmark is crucial for nerve blocks and surgical approaches. Wikipedia
In the forearm, the ulnar nerve travels deep to which muscle?
Pronator teres
Flexor carpi ulnaris
Palmaris longus
Flexor digitorum superficialis
After crossing the elbow, the ulnar nerve travels between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris and then deep to this muscle in the forearm. This anatomical relationship can contribute to entrapment neuropathies, particularly with hypertrophy of the flexor carpi ulnaris. Understanding this path informs surgical decompression strategies. NCBI
Ulnar nerve injury at the elbow typically results in which characteristic hand deformity?
Wrist drop
Ape hand
Claw hand
Hand of benediction
An ulnar nerve lesion at the elbow leads to weakness of the lumbricals and interossei of the medial two digits, resulting in hyperextension at the metacarpophalangeal joints and flexion at the interphalangeal joints of the ring and little fingers, known as the 'ulnar claw'. In contrast, wrist drop is seen with radial nerve injury, and ape hand with median nerve damage. Understanding these deformities assists accurate diagnosis. Britannica
The deep branch of the ulnar nerve in the hand primarily innervates which muscle group?
Interossei muscles
Thenar muscles
Lumbricals of digits 2 and 3
Opponens pollicis
In the hand, the ulnar nerve divides into superficial and deep branches. The deep branch innervates the interossei muscles, which are responsible for finger abduction and adduction. The thenar muscles and lumbricals of the index and middle fingers are innervated by the median nerve. Mastery of this distribution is vital for hand function assessment. Gray's Anatomy
A lesion of the ulnar nerve at the elbow would spare which of the following functions?
Opposition of the thumb
Adduction of the thumb
Flexion of the distal phalanx of the little finger
Abduction of the little finger
A high lesion of the ulnar nerve at the elbow affects intrinsic hand muscles and medial forearm muscles but spares median nerve functions such as thumb opposition, mediated by the opponens pollicis. Adduction of the thumb, flexion of the little finger DIP, and abduction of the little finger depend on ulnar innervation and are lost. Recognizing spared functions helps localize nerve injuries clinically. TeachMeAnatomy
0
{"name":"From which spinal nerve roots does the ulnar nerve primarily arise?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"From which spinal nerve roots does the ulnar nerve primarily arise?, The ulnar nerve is a direct continuation of which cord of the brachial plexus?, At the wrist, the ulnar nerve passes through which anatomical canal?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Trace the Ulnar Nerve Pathway -

    Follow the course of the ulnar nerve pathway from its origin in the brachial plexus to its terminal branches in the hand.

  2. Identify Ulnar Nerve Anatomy Components -

    Pinpoint key structures - including grooves, canals, and landmarks - essential to understanding ulnar nerve anatomy.

  3. Analyze Ulnar Nerve Function -

    Distinguish motor and sensory roles of the ulnar nerve, correlating specific innervation patterns with hand movements and sensations.

  4. Differentiate Brachial Plexus Ulnar Nerve Branches -

    Compare major branches and divisions of the brachial plexus ulnar nerve to understand how each contributes to overall nerve function.

  5. Apply Insights to the Ulnar Nerve Pathway Quiz -

    Use acquired knowledge to tackle targeted questions in the free, scored ulnar nerve pathway quiz and reinforce learning.

  6. Assess Knowledge Gaps -

    Evaluate your performance to identify areas for further study in ulnar nerve anatomy and function.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origin in the Brachial Plexus -

    The ulnar nerve pathway begins at the medial cord of the brachial plexus, receiving C8 - T1 fibers as described in Gray's Anatomy. Use the mnemonic "Randy Travis Drinks Cold Beer" (Roots, Trunks, Divisions, Cords, Branches) to remember plexus layout. Understanding this origin is critical for following brachial plexus ulnar nerve connections.

  2. Course Through the Arm and Cubital Tunnel -

    As it travels down the medial arm, the ulnar nerve lies posterior to the medial epicondyle in the cubital tunnel, giving rise to the classic "funny bone" sensation when tapped. This key anatomical point is vital for the ulnar nerve pathway quiz and clinical testing. Fun fact: approximately 20% of people have a narrower tunnel, predisposing them to entrapment.

  3. Forearm Relations and Branches -

    After the elbow, the ulnar nerve passes between the two heads of flexor carpi ulnaris in the proximal forearm, supplying motor branches to this muscle and flexor digitorum profundus (digits 4 - 5). Recall "FCU and FDP" to quickly list forearm targets in ulnar nerve anatomy. Identifying these branches is essential for interpreting forearm motor deficits on the quiz.

  4. Motor and Sensory Innervation in the Hand -

    In the hand, the ulnar nerve innervates all interossei and the medial two lumbricals (PAD and DAB mnemonic) and provides sensation to the little finger and medial half of the ring finger. Test yourself: which muscles adduct versus abduct the fingers? Knowing ulnar nerve function in fine motor control will boost your quiz score and clinical confidence.

  5. Clinical Testing and Common Entrapments -

    Focus on Tinel's sign at the cubital tunnel, Froment's sign for pinch grip, and Wartenberg's sign for small finger abduction to assess ulnar nerve dysfunction. Studying these physical exam maneuvers links anatomy to real-world function in the ulnar nerve pathway quiz. Recognizing sites of entrapment, like Guyon's canal at the wrist, helps you anticipate clinical presentations confidently.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Human Anatomy & Medicine Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker