In anterior shoulder dislocation, which nerve is most commonly injured due to its close relationship to the surgical neck of the humerus and its passage through the quadrangular space?

• A Radial nerve
• B Axillary nerve ✓
• C Musculocutaneous nerve
• D Suprascapular nerve

Explanation

The axillary nerve winds around the surgical neck of the humerus passing through the quadrangular space (bounded by teres minor, teres major, long head of triceps, and humerus). Anterior shoulder dislocation and surgical neck fractures are the most common causes of axillary nerve injury, resulting in paralysis of deltoid (loss of shoulder abduction beyond 15°) and teres minor, with sensory loss over the 'regimental badge' area (lateral arm). The radial nerve is injured in mid-shaft humeral fractures in the spiral groove.

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

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.