Upper limb: radial nerve: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Upper limb: radial nerve

Sample item

A humeral shaft fracture is followed by wrist drop and inability to extend the metacarpophalangeal joints. Which nerve is most likely injured?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Radial nerve

The radial nerve runs in the radial groove of the humerus and supplies posterior-compartment extensor muscles. Humeral shaft fractures can therefore cause wrist and finger drop.

Option by option

  • A. Long thoracic nerve

    Long thoracic injury causes scapular winging.

  • B. Radial nerve (correct)

    Correct. The injury pattern and anatomic course fit radial nerve damage.

  • C. Median nerve

    Median injury impairs thenar function and some forearm flexion.

  • D. Ulnar nerve

    Ulnar injury affects interossei and medial hand sensation.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is B, Radial nerve. The radial nerve runs in the radial groove of the humerus and supplies posterior-compartment extensor muscles.

Why is "Long thoracic nerve" not the answer?

Long thoracic injury causes scapular winging.

Why is "Median nerve" not the answer?

Median injury impairs thenar function and some forearm flexion.

Why is "Ulnar nerve" not the answer?

Ulnar injury affects interossei and medial hand sensation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Upper limb: radial nerve in Anatomy. Humeral shaft fractures can therefore cause wrist and finger drop.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Upper limb: radial nerve?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.