Advanced Extensor Digiti Minimi Quiz

Q1. A lesion of the posterior interosseous nerve would most directly impair which action of extensor digiti minimi?

• Flexion of the little finger
• Adduction of the thumb
• Opposition of the little finger
• Extension of the little finger

Q2. Why can some extension of the little finger remain possible after isolated loss of extensor digiti minimi function?

• Extensor digitorum also contributes to little finger extension
• Flexor carpi ulnaris extends the little finger
• Abductor digiti minimi becomes the primary finger extensor
• Flexor digitorum profundus becomes an extensor

Q3. Which anatomical feature of the extensor digiti minimi tendon is notably variable among individuals?

• Its insertion into the thumb
• The number of distal tendon slips
• Its origin from the medial epicondyle
• Its passage through the carpal tunnel

Q4. Why is knowledge of extensor digiti minimi tendon variation clinically important?

• It controls the size of the carpal tunnel
• It can affect tendon repair and tendon transfer procedures
• It determines the course of the brachial artery
• It determines median nerve sensation in the palm

Q5. At the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint, which structure helps keep the extensor tendon centered over the metacarpal head?

• Sagittal bands
• Transverse carpal ligament
• Flexor retinaculum
• Annular ligament of the radius

Q6. Disruption of the sagittal band at the little finger can lead to which problem?

• Dislocation of the radial head
• Subluxation of the extensor tendon
• Compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel
• Rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon

Q7. Tenosynovitis specifically involving the extensor digiti minimi tendon at the wrist would be localized to which dorsal compartment?

• Fifth dorsal compartment
• Sixth dorsal compartment
• Second dorsal compartment
• First dorsal compartment

Q8. Why does extensor digiti minimi contribute to interphalangeal extension even though it does not insert directly onto a single phalanx as a simple terminal tendon?

• It inserts into the flexor retinaculum
• It acts through the palmar aponeurosis
• It pulls directly on the flexor digitorum profundus tendon
• Its force is transmitted through the extensor expansion

Q9. A patient has difficulty independently extending the little finger, but extension of the other fingers is relatively preserved. Dysfunction of which muscle should be specifically considered?

• Flexor carpi radialis
• Extensor pollicis longus
• Extensor digiti minimi
• Pronator quadratus

Q10. Which description best summarizes the anatomy of extensor digiti minimi?

• It is a deep anterior forearm muscle supplied by the median nerve that flexes the little finger
• It is an intrinsic hand muscle supplied by the ulnar nerve that opposes the little finger
• It is a superficial posterior forearm muscle supplied by the posterior interosseous nerve that joins the extensor expansion of the little finger
• It is a superficial anterior forearm muscle supplied by the median nerve that inserts on the second metacarpal