Following a humeral shaft fracture, a patient cannot extend the wrist and fingers and has loss of sensation over the dorsum of the first web space. Which nerve is injured?

• A Radial nerve ✓
• B Median nerve
• C Ulnar nerve
• D Musculocutaneous nerve

Explanation

The radial nerve winds around the posterior aspect of the humerus in the spiral (radial) groove and is vulnerable to mid-shaft humeral fractures. Its injury produces wrist drop (inability to extend the wrist and metacarpophalangeal joints) and sensory loss over the dorsal first web space via the superficial radial nerve. The brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis longus may be partially spared depending on the fracture level.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.