Upper limb and brachial plexus: epitrochlear nodes: 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: epitrochlear nodes

Sample item

A man has a tender swelling just above the medial epicondyle two days after a septic cut on his little finger. Which lymph node group is enlarged?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Epitrochlear nodes

Epitrochlear nodes receive lymph from the ulnar side of the hand and medial forearm and drain to the lateral axillary nodes. The infraclavicular group follows the cephalic vein and drains the lateral limb. Enlargement of an epitrochlear node should prompt a search of the little and ring fingers and medial forearm.

Option by option

  • A. Epitrochlear nodes (correct)

    Correct. They drain the ulnar side of the hand and the medial forearm.

  • B. Infraclavicular nodes along the cephalic vein

    Infraclavicular nodes drain the lateral side of the limb along the cephalic vein.

  • C. Apical axillary nodes

    Apical nodes receive efferents from other axillary groups and the breast, not directly from the finger.

  • D. Supraclavicular nodes

    Supraclavicular nodes drain the neck and receive the thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct.

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 A, Epitrochlear nodes. Epitrochlear nodes receive lymph from the ulnar side of the hand and medial forearm and drain to the lateral axillary nodes.

Why is "Infraclavicular nodes along the cephalic vein" not the answer?

Infraclavicular nodes drain the lateral side of the limb along the cephalic vein.

Why is "Apical axillary nodes" not the answer?

Apical nodes receive efferents from other axillary groups and the breast, not directly from the finger.

Why is "Supraclavicular nodes" not the answer?

Supraclavicular nodes drain the neck and receive the thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Upper limb and brachial plexus: epitrochlear nodes in Anatomy. The infraclavicular group follows the cephalic vein and drains the lateral limb. Enlargement of an epitrochlear node should prompt a search of the little and ring fingers and medial forearm.

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: epitrochlear nodes?

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.