Breast and endocrine surgery: thoracodorsal nerve injury: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Breast and endocrine surgery: thoracodorsal nerve injury

Sample item

After an axillary clearance, a woman finds weakness when she adducts and internally rotates her arm, for example while pulling herself up from a chair. The scapula does not wing. Which nerve is most likely damaged?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Thoracodorsal nerve

The thoracodorsal nerve runs on the posterior axillary wall with the subscapular vessels to supply latissimus dorsi, which adducts, extends and internally rotates the arm. It is preserved in axillary clearance unless it is involved by tumour.

Option by option

  • A. Long thoracic nerve

    Long thoracic nerve injury causes winging of the scapula.

  • B. Intercostobrachial nerve

    The intercostobrachial nerve is sensory and causes only numbness.

  • C. Thoracodorsal nerve (correct)

    Correct. Latissimus dorsi weakness gives the described deficits without winging.

  • D. Suprascapular nerve

    The suprascapular nerve supplies supraspinatus and infraspinatus and is not at risk in axillary dissection.

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 General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, Thoracodorsal nerve. The thoracodorsal nerve runs on the posterior axillary wall with the subscapular vessels to supply latissimus dorsi, which adducts, extends and internally rotates the arm.

Why is "Long thoracic nerve" not the answer?

Long thoracic nerve injury causes winging of the scapula.

Why is "Intercostobrachial nerve" not the answer?

The intercostobrachial nerve is sensory and causes only numbness.

Why is "Suprascapular nerve" not the answer?

The suprascapular nerve supplies supraspinatus and infraspinatus and is not at risk in axillary dissection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Breast and endocrine surgery: thoracodorsal nerve injury in General Surgery. It is preserved in axillary clearance unless it is involved by tumour.

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 Breast and endocrine surgery: thoracodorsal nerve injury?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.