Upper limb and brachial plexus: ligament of Struthers: 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 and brachial plexus: ligament of Struthers

Sample item

A teenager has a bony spur about 5 cm above the medial epicondyle on X-ray, with a fibrous band running from the spur to the epicondyle. He has paraesthesia over the lateral three and a half digits and weak flexion of the thumb. Which nerve passes beneath this band and is entrapped?

AUlnar nerveBMusculocutaneous nerveCMedian nerveDRadial nerve

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Median nerve

A supracondylar process joined to the medial epicondyle by the ligament of Struthers forms a tunnel for the median nerve, sometimes with the brachial artery. The ulnar nerve passes behind the medial epicondyle, not through this band. The radial nerve and musculocutaneous nerve run on the lateral side of the arm.

Option by option

A. Ulnar nerve
The ulnar nerve passes behind the medial epicondyle after piercing the medial intermuscular septum.
B. Musculocutaneous nerve
The musculocutaneous nerve pierces coracobrachialis and runs lateral to the band.
C. Median nerve (correct)
Correct. The median nerve and brachial artery pass beneath the ligament of Struthers.
D. Radial nerve
The radial nerve lies in the spiral groove and then on the lateral side of the arm.

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 C, Median nerve. A supracondylar process joined to the medial epicondyle by the ligament of Struthers forms a tunnel for the median nerve, sometimes with the brachial artery.

Why is "Ulnar nerve" not the answer?

The ulnar nerve passes behind the medial epicondyle after piercing the medial intermuscular septum.

Why is "Musculocutaneous nerve" not the answer?

The musculocutaneous nerve pierces coracobrachialis and runs lateral to the band.

Why is "Radial nerve" not the answer?

The radial nerve lies in the spiral groove and then on the lateral side of the arm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Upper limb and brachial plexus: ligament of Struthers in Anatomy. The ulnar nerve passes behind the medial epicondyle, not through this band. The radial nerve and musculocutaneous nerve run on the lateral side of the arm.

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 Upper limb and brachial plexus: ligament of Struthers?

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.