A patient develops clawing of the lateral four toes with wasting of the interossei after a penetrating injury to the sole of the foot. The nerve injured corresponds functionally to which nerve in the upper limb?

• A Ulnar nerve ✓
• B Radial nerve
• C Median nerve
• D Anterior interosseous nerve

Explanation

The lateral plantar nerve is the counterpart of the ulnar nerve: it supplies all the interossei, the three lateral lumbricals, adductor hallucis, and the hypothenar-equivalent lateral plantar muscles. Its lesion produces clawing of toes two to five, mirroring ulnar claw hand. The medial plantar nerve, like the median nerve, supplies only the first lumbrical and the short flexors of the hallux.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.