Upper limb and brachial plexus: flexor tendon sheath spread: 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: flexor tendon sheath spread

Sample item

A man with a pus-filled flexor sheath of the little finger develops swelling over the wrist and palm. This pattern of spread occurs because the little-finger sheath is usually continuous with which structure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Ulnar bursa

The flexor sheath of the little finger is continuous with the ulnar bursa, which encloses the long flexor tendons deep to the flexor retinaculum. Infection therefore spreads to the palm and distal forearm. The thumb sheath is continuous with the radial bursa.

Option by option

  • A. Radial bursa

    The radial bursa is continuous with the sheath of the thumb, not the little finger.

  • B. Ulnar bursa (correct)

    Correct. The little-finger sheath usually continues into the ulnar bursa.

  • C. Thenar space

    This is a fascial space behind the index flexor tendons and is not a continuation of the tendon sheath.

  • D. Midpalmar space

    This is a closed fascial space behind the flexor tendons and not a bursa linked to the finger sheath.

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.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is B, Ulnar bursa. The flexor sheath of the little finger is continuous with the ulnar bursa, which encloses the long flexor tendons deep to the flexor retinaculum.

Why is "Radial bursa" not the answer?

The radial bursa is continuous with the sheath of the thumb, not the little finger.

Why is "Thenar space" not the answer?

This is a fascial space behind the index flexor tendons and is not a continuation of the tendon sheath.

Why is "Midpalmar space" not the answer?

This is a closed fascial space behind the flexor tendons and not a bursa linked to the finger sheath.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Upper limb and brachial plexus: flexor tendon sheath spread in Anatomy. Infection therefore spreads to the palm and distal forearm. The thumb sheath is continuous with the radial bursa.

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: flexor tendon sheath spread?

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.