Question

After a timeWhen a motor nerve to a muscle is sectioned, the muscles atrophy. If you notice that the thenar muscles are atrophied, which nerve is suspected of injury?

a) Ulnar nerve
b) Radial nerve
c) Median nerve
d) Brachial plexus

Answer 1

Atrophy of the thenar muscles typically suggests an injury to the median nerve, as it provides the primary innervation to these muscles responsible for thumb movements.

Step-by-step explanation:

When observing that the thenar muscles are atrophied, the nerve commonly associated with injury or damage would be the median nerve. The thenar muscles, including the abductor pollicis brevis, opponens pollicis, flexor pollicis brevis, and adductor pollicis, are primarily innervated by the median nerve. These muscles are responsible for the movements of the thumb, which are essential for precise hand functions like typing or writing. Consequently, injury to the median nerve can lead to significant impairment of thumb movements and atrophy of the thenar muscles.