Hand: recurrent branch of the median 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 · Hand: recurrent branch of the median nerve

Sample item

A 20-year-old man cuts the palm at the base of the thenar eminence on broken glass. He cannot oppose or abduct the thumb, but sensation over the thumb, index and middle fingers is normal. Which structure is injured?

ARecurrent (thenar) branch of the median nerveBSuperficial palmar branch of the radial arteryCPalmar cutaneous branch of the median nerveDDeep branch of the ulnar nerve

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Recurrent (thenar) branch of the median nerve

The recurrent branch of the median nerve curves proximally over the flexor retinaculum's distal border to supply abductor pollicis brevis, flexor pollicis brevis (superficial head) and opponens pollicis. Division causes loss of opposition and abduction without sensory change, because the sensory branches arise separately. Opposition is the key thumb movement and its loss makes the hand function poorly.

Option by option

A. Recurrent (thenar) branch of the median nerve (correct)
Correct. Division of the thenar branch paralyses the thenar muscles while sparing sensation.
B. Superficial palmar branch of the radial artery
An arterial injury would cause bleeding or ischaemia, not isolated motor loss.
C. Palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve
The palmar cutaneous branch gives sensation over the thenar skin and does not cause motor loss.
D. Deep branch of the ulnar nerve
The deep ulnar branch supplies the adductor pollicis and interossei, not the thenar muscles.

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.

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is A, Recurrent (thenar) branch of the median nerve. The recurrent branch of the median nerve curves proximally over the flexor retinaculum's distal border to supply abductor pollicis brevis, flexor pollicis brevis (superficial head) and opponens pollicis.

Why is "Superficial palmar branch of the radial artery" not the answer?

An arterial injury would cause bleeding or ischaemia, not isolated motor loss.

Why is "Palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve" not the answer?

The palmar cutaneous branch gives sensation over the thenar skin and does not cause motor loss.

Why is "Deep branch of the ulnar nerve" not the answer?

The deep ulnar branch supplies the adductor pollicis and interossei, not the thenar muscles.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hand: recurrent branch of the median nerve in Anatomy. Division causes loss of opposition and abduction without sensory change, because the sensory branches arise separately. Opposition is the key thumb movement and its loss makes the hand function poorly.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Hand: recurrent branch of the median 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.