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

Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google

Think You Can Ace Upper Limb Muscle Innervation? Take the Quiz!

Dive into Innervation of Upper Limb Muscles - Can You Name Them All?

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of upper limb muscles and nerves on coral background advertising free upper extremity muscles quiz

Attention medical students, future surgeons, physical therapists-in-training, and anatomy buffs! Dive into our upper extremity muscles quiz to put your neuroanatomy skills to the test. You'll explore key pathways and reinforce the innervation of upper limb muscles, challenge your recall in a muscles of the upper arm quiz section, and master the innervation of the arm muscles as you identify each nerve-muscle pairing. If you aced our upper extremity anatomy quiz , you're ready to push further - don't miss this opportunity to build confidence. For a broader review, check out our upper limb anatomy quiz . Start now and elevate your anatomy expertise with fun, interactive questions!

Which nerve innervates the biceps brachii?
Musculocutaneous nerve
Radial nerve
Ulnar nerve
Median nerve
The biceps brachii is supplied by the musculocutaneous nerve, which arises from the C5–C7 nerve roots. This nerve pierces the coracobrachialis and continues between the biceps and brachialis to innervate both muscles. It also provides sensory innervation to the lateral forearm. Learn more about the musculocutaneous nerve.
The deltoid muscle is primarily innervated by which nerve?
Axillary nerve
Radial nerve
Suprascapular nerve
Dorsal scapular nerve
The axillary nerve, derived from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus (C5–C6), innervates the deltoid and teres minor muscles. It passes through the quadrangular space beneath the shoulder joint. Injury to this nerve can lead to deltoid muscle paralysis and loss of shoulder abduction. More on the axillary nerve.
Which nerve supplies the triceps brachii?
Radial nerve
Musculocutaneous nerve
Axillary nerve
Ulnar nerve
The radial nerve, arising from the posterior cord (C5–T1), innervates the triceps brachii in the posterior compartment of the arm. It travels in the radial groove of the humerus before supplying the lateral and long heads of the triceps. It continues distally to innervate all extensor muscles of the forearm. See details on the radial nerve.
The pronator teres muscle is innervated by which nerve?
Median nerve
Radial nerve
Ulnar nerve
Musculocutaneous nerve
Pronator teres is innervated by the median nerve, which arises from the lateral and medial cords (C6–C7). The nerve enters the forearm between the two heads of pronator teres. It is a primary pronator of the forearm along with pronator quadratus. Read more on median nerve innervation.
Which nerve innervates the brachioradialis muscle?
Radial nerve
Musculocutaneous nerve
Ulnar nerve
Median nerve
The brachioradialis is unique among the anterior arm muscles in that it is innervated by the radial nerve (C5–C7). It assists in forearm flexion when the forearm is in mid?position. The radial nerve courses along the lateral side of the arm to reach this muscle. Discover more about the radial nerve.
Which nerve innervates the flexor carpi ulnaris?
Ulnar nerve
Median nerve
Radial nerve
Musculocutaneous nerve
Flexor carpi ulnaris is innervated by the ulnar nerve, carrying fibers from C7–T1. This is the only muscle in the anterior forearm compartment supplied by the ulnar nerve. It flexes and adducts the wrist. Further reading on ulnar nerve anatomy.
The thenar muscles receive innervation from which nerve branch?
Recurrent branch of the median nerve
Deep branch of the ulnar nerve
Superficial branch of the radial nerve
Posterior interosseous nerve
The thenar eminence (abductor pollicis brevis, opponens pollicis, superficial head of flexor pollicis brevis) is innervated by the recurrent (motor) branch of the median nerve. This branch loops around the distal transverse carpal ligament. Damage to this branch causes thenar muscle atrophy and loss of thumb opposition. See details on the median nerve.
Which nerve innervates the abductor pollicis longus?
Posterior interosseous nerve
Anterior interosseous nerve
Ulnar nerve
Median nerve
Abductor pollicis longus is one of the deep extensors of the forearm, innervated by the posterior interosseous nerve, a branch of the radial nerve. This occurs after the radial nerve passes through the supinator. It abducts the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint. Learn more about the posterior interosseous nerve.
The pronator quadratus muscle is supplied by which nerve?
Anterior interosseous nerve
Posterior interosseous nerve
Ulnar nerve
Radial nerve
Pronator quadratus is innervated by the anterior interosseous nerve, a branch of the median nerve (C8–T1). It lies deep in the forearm and pronates the distal radioulnar joint. Injury to this branch impairs pronation strength. Read about the anterior interosseous branch.
Which nerve innervates the extensor carpi ulnaris?
Posterior interosseous nerve
Deep branch of the ulnar nerve
Anterior interosseous nerve
Superficial branch of the radial nerve
Extensor carpi ulnaris is supplied by the posterior interosseous nerve, after the radial nerve divides in the forearm. This branch innervates the majority of the extensor compartment. The muscle extends and adducts the wrist. Explore the posterior interosseous nerve further.
Which nerve innervates the lumbricals of the 2nd and 3rd digits?
Median nerve
Ulnar nerve
Radial nerve
Anterior interosseous nerve
The first and second lumbricals (to the index and middle fingers) are innervated by the median nerve. The third and fourth lumbricals are supplied by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve. These muscles flex the metacarpophalangeal joints and extend the interphalangeal joints. Details on lumbrical innervation.
The dorsal interossei muscles of the hand are innervated by which nerve?
Ulnar nerve
Median nerve
Radial nerve
Musculocutaneous nerve
All interossei muscles (dorsal and palmar) are innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve (C8–T1). The dorsal interossei abduct the fingers away from the midline of the hand. They lie between the metacarpal bones. Further on the ulnar nerve.
Which nerve innervates the adductor pollicis muscle?
Deep branch of the ulnar nerve
Recurrent branch of the median nerve
Anterior interosseous nerve
Posterior interosseous nerve
Adductor pollicis, responsible for thumb adduction, is innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve. This muscle spans the first web space between the thumb and index finger metacarpals. Damage to this nerve impairs precision grip. Review the ulnar nerve branches.
The subscapularis muscle is innervated by which nerve(s)?
Upper and lower subscapular nerves
Dorsal scapular nerve
Suprascapular nerve
Axillary nerve
Subscapularis is innervated by both the upper and lower subscapular nerves, branches of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus (C5–C6). These nerves penetrate the muscle on its anterior surface. Subscapularis medially rotates the humerus and stabilizes the glenohumeral joint. Learn about subscapular nerves.
The posterior interosseous nerve is a continuation of which branch after passing through the supinator muscle?
Deep branch of the radial nerve
Superficial branch of the radial nerve
Musculocutaneous nerve
Recurrent branch of the median nerve
After the radial nerve divides at the lateral epicondyle, the deep branch enters and pierces the supinator to become the posterior interosseous nerve. This branch supplies the majority of the extensor muscles in the forearm. The superficial branch remains subcutaneous to provide sensory innervation. Explore posterior interosseous innervation.
0
{"name":"Which nerve innervates the biceps brachii?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Which nerve innervates the biceps brachii?, The deltoid muscle is primarily innervated by which nerve?, Which nerve supplies the triceps brachii?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify nerve supply of upper arm muscles -

    Accurately match each muscle to its innervating peripheral nerve, including radial, ulnar, musculocutaneous, and median nerves.

  2. Describe motor functions -

    Explain how specific nerves facilitate muscle contraction and control movements in the upper extremity.

  3. Analyze innervation patterns -

    Differentiate between overlapping and distinct nerve distributions among the muscles of the upper limb.

  4. Apply clinical relevance -

    Interpret common nerve injuries to predict patient presentation and functional deficits.

  5. Recall key anatomical landmarks -

    Locate bony and soft-tissue reference points that guide nerve identification during examination or dissection.

  6. Evaluate muscle-nerve relationships -

    Assess how variations in innervation affect motor performance and influence diagnostic decision-making.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Brachial Plexus Blueprint -

    Master the roots, trunks, divisions, cords, and branches with the classic mnemonic "Randy Travis Drinks Cold Beer" (Roots→Trunks→Divisions→Cords→Branches) as outlined in Gray's Anatomy. Visualize the plexus in a three-dimensional model or diagram from a university anatomy resource to reinforce spatial relationships. This groundwork is essential for any upper extremity muscles quiz on innervation of the arm muscles.

  2. Anterior Compartment & Musculocutaneous Nerve -

    The musculocutaneous nerve (C5 - C7) supplies biceps brachii, brachialis, and coracobrachialis to flex the elbow and supinate the forearm, according to the University of Michigan Medical School. Use the phrase "BBC flexes & supinates" as a quick mental hook. Practicing via flashcards linking nerve roots to each muscle strengthens retention for the innervation of upper limb muscles.

  3. Posterior Compartment & Radial Nerve -

    The radial nerve (C5 - T1) innervates triceps brachii for elbow extension and all wrist/finger extensors, creating the classic "wrist drop" sign in high lesions (N Engl J Med). Draw or label a cross-sectional arm image to see nerve-to-muscle pathways. This targeted review helps you crush any muscles of the upper arm quiz question on motor function.

  4. Rotator Cuff Innervations -

    Recall SITS: Supraspinatus (suprascapular C5 - C6), Infraspinatus (suprascapular C5 - C6), Teres minor (axillary C5 - C6), Subscapularis (upper/lower subscapular C5 - C7) as described by Johns Hopkins Medicine. A quick table matching each SITS muscle to its specific nerve root boosts precision for your upper extremity muscles quiz. Practicing with labeled shoulder models cements the clinical relevance.

  5. Clinical Correlation: Nerve Lesions -

    Understand Erb - Duchenne palsy (C5 - C6) causing "waiter's tip" and radial nerve injury leading to wrist drop, using case vignettes from peer-reviewed journals like The Lancet. Creating one-minute spoken summaries of presentation, lesion site, and muscle deficits amplifies recall. This approach ensures you not only name nerves but also predict functional losses on your innervation of the arm muscles test.

Powered by: Quiz Maker