Dislocations: lunate dislocation: practice question

A Orthopaedics 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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Orthopaedics · Dislocations: lunate dislocation

Sample item

A lateral wrist radiograph shows the spilled teacup sign with a triangular lunate on the AP view. Which nerve is most at risk?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Median nerve

Volar dislocation of the lunate into the carpal tunnel causes acute carpal tunnel syndrome. The lunate appears tipped like a spilled teacup on the lateral view, and urgent reduction is needed to protect the median nerve.

Option by option

  • A. Median nerve (correct)

    Correct. The displaced lunate compresses the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.

  • B. Ulnar nerve

    The ulnar nerve lies in Guyon canal, outside the carpal tunnel.

  • C. Posterior interosseous nerve

    The posterior interosseous nerve is a dorsal forearm nerve.

  • D. Radial nerve

    The radial nerve does not cross the volar carpus.

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 Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is A, Median nerve. Volar dislocation of the lunate into the carpal tunnel causes acute carpal tunnel syndrome.

Why is "Ulnar nerve" not the answer?

The ulnar nerve lies in Guyon canal, outside the carpal tunnel.

Why is "Posterior interosseous nerve" not the answer?

The posterior interosseous nerve is a dorsal forearm nerve.

Why is "Radial nerve" not the answer?

The radial nerve does not cross the volar carpus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dislocations: lunate dislocation in Orthopaedics. The lunate appears tipped like a spilled teacup on the lateral view, and urgent reduction is needed to protect the median nerve.

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 Dislocations: lunate dislocation?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics 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.