Upper Limb · NEET PG Preparation Anatomy
A 50-year-old woman presents with difficulty in making a fist with her right hand and an inability to flex the proximal and distal interphalangeal jo…
Practice question from Upper Limb (NEET PG Preparation Anatomy), with the correct answer and a step-by-step solution.
medium · MCQ · Q-6EACFB
A 50-year-old woman presents with difficulty in making a fist with her right hand and an inability to flex the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the index and middle fingers. When she attempts to make a fist, the index and middle fingers remain extended ('hand of benediction'). Which nerve is injured?
- A.Ulnar nerve at the wrist
- B.Median nerve at the elbow/wristCorrect answer
- C.Radial nerve in the spiral groove
- D.Anterior interosseous nerve
Solution
The 'hand of benediction' (or preacher's hand) is observed when the patient attempts to make a fist due to a lesion of the median nerve (typically at the elbow or upper forearm), paralyzing the flexors of the lateral digits (flexor digitorum superficialis and lateral part of flexor digitorum profundus). Note: Do not confuse with ulnar claw hand, which occurs at rest due to intrinsic muscle paralysis.
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