Advanced Carpal Tunnel Quiz

Q1. Which digits classically develop sensory symptoms from median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel?

• All five digits equally
• Thumb, index, middle, and radial half of the ring finger
• Thumb and little finger only
• Little finger and ulnar half of the ring finger only

Q2. Weakness of which movement may occur when thenar muscles supplied by the recurrent branch of the median nerve are affected in severe carpal tunnel syndrome?

• Elbow extension
• Thumb opposition
• Finger abduction by the interossei
• Forearm supination

Q3. Which muscle is supplied by the recurrent branch of the median nerve and may become weak in carpal tunnel syndrome?

• Opponens pollicis
• Extensor pollicis longus
• Adductor pollicis
• First dorsal interosseous

Q4. Why can increased volume of structures within the carpal tunnel produce median nerve compression?

• The ulnar artery pushes the median nerve against the humerus
• The flexor retinaculum normally contracts around the nerve
• The median nerve is fixed inside the radius
• The tunnel has relatively rigid boundaries and limited capacity to expand

Q5. Which clinical maneuver involves sustained wrist flexion to provoke symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

• Finkelstein test
• Phalen's test
• Thomas test
• Trendelenburg test

Q6. Tapping over the median nerve at the wrist to reproduce paresthesia is the basis of which clinical sign?

• Allen test
• Froment's sign
• Tinel's sign
• Speed's test

Q7. Which structure is divided during a standard carpal tunnel release to decompress the median nerve?

• Palmar aponeurosis only
• Extensor retinaculum
• Flexor retinaculum
• Ulnar collateral ligament

Q8. Which median nerve branch is particularly important to recognize during carpal tunnel surgery because of its relationship to the distal flexor retinaculum?

• Posterior interosseous nerve
• Anterior interosseous nerve
• Recurrent branch of the median nerve
• Dorsal cutaneous branch of the ulnar nerve

Q9. Which finding would be less typical of an isolated median nerve compression within the carpal tunnel?

• Paresthesia in the index finger
• Thenar muscle weakness
• Sensory loss over the hypothenar region
• Weakness of thumb opposition

Q10. Which description best summarizes the anatomical basis of carpal tunnel syndrome?

• Ulnar nerve compression between the radius and ulna
• Median nerve compression within the cubital fossa
• Median nerve compression within a confined osteofibrous tunnel containing flexor tendons
• Radial nerve compression beneath the extensor retinaculum