QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
This is incorrect. A fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus is most likely to cause axillary nerve injury. The long thoracic nerve is susceptible to damage during chest drain insertion, thoracic surgery or the prolonged use of crutches.

Furthermore, long thoracic nerve damage typically causes 'winging' of the scapula, and would not affect shoulder abduction or sensation in the regimental badge area.
10026059
e
Long thoracic nerve
QuestionChoice
This is incorrect. A fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus is most likely to cause axillary nerve injury. A midshaft fracture of the humerus would be more likely to cause radial nerve damage.

Furthermore, radial nerve injury would result in wrist drop, and would not affect shoulder abduction or sensation in the regimental badge area.
10026056
b
Radial nerve
QuestionChoice
This is incorrect. A fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus is most likely to cause axillary nerve injury. The median nerve is most commonly affected in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Furthermore, median nerve injury would result in paralysis and wasting of the muscles of the thenar eminence and opponens pollicis, as well as sensory loss to the lateral three and a half digits. It would not affect shoulder abduction or sensation in the regimental badge area.
10026058
d
Median nerve
QuestionChoice
This is correct. The axillary nerve is often damaged in fractures of the surgical neck of the humerus. In this case, the patient cannot abduct their arm as the axillary nerve supplies the deltoid muscle. It also provides sensory innervation to the lower deltoid area ('regimental badge' area).
10026055
a
Axillary nerve
QuestionChoice
This is incorrect. A fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus is most likely to cause axillary nerve injury. A fracture affecting the medial epicondyle of the humerus would be likely to cause an ulnar nerve injury.

Furthermore, ulnar nerve injury would result in a claw hand deformity and loss of sensation to the medial one and a half, and would not affect shoulder abduction or sensation in the regimental badge area.
10026057
c
Ulnar nerve
Concept
Chapter
2693
3909
brachial plexus injuries
Topic
145
Orthopaedics
17609
A 24 year old woman presents to the Emergency Department following a fall from a horse. An x-ray of her right arm shows a fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus.

On examination, it is noted that she has lost the ability to abduct her right arm, and has lost sensation to her lower right deltoid muscle. The left side is normal on examination.

Which of the following nerves has been damaged?
a