Leprosy: median nerve involvement: practice question

A Dermatology 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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Dermatology · Leprosy: median nerve involvement

Sample item

A leprosy patient cannot oppose the thumb to the little finger. The thenar eminence is wasted and sensation is reduced over the radial three and a half digits of the palm. Which nerve is damaged?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Median nerve

The median nerve supplies the thenar muscles and the palmar skin of the radial three and a half digits. In leprosy it is commonly damaged at the wrist, and combined median and ulnar palsy produces a complete claw hand with a flat, wasted palm.

Option by option

  • A. Ulnar nerve

    Ulnar damage causes clawing of the ring and little fingers and hypothenar wasting, with sensory loss on the ulnar side.

  • B. Axillary nerve

    The axillary nerve supplies the deltoid and teres minor and does not affect hand function.

  • C. Radial nerve

    Radial damage causes wrist drop and loss of finger extension, and is uncommon in leprosy.

  • D. Median nerve (correct)

    Correct. Thenar wasting, loss of opposition and radial palmar sensory loss indicate the median nerve.

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 Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is D, Median nerve. The median nerve supplies the thenar muscles and the palmar skin of the radial three and a half digits.

Why is "Ulnar nerve" not the answer?

Ulnar damage causes clawing of the ring and little fingers and hypothenar wasting, with sensory loss on the ulnar side.

Why is "Axillary nerve" not the answer?

The axillary nerve supplies the deltoid and teres minor and does not affect hand function.

Why is "Radial nerve" not the answer?

Radial damage causes wrist drop and loss of finger extension, and is uncommon in leprosy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: median nerve involvement in Dermatology. In leprosy it is commonly damaged at the wrist, and combined median and ulnar palsy produces a complete claw hand with a flat, wasted palm.

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 Leprosy: median nerve involvement?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology 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.