Median Nerve (C5–T1) Injury
The median nerve travels through the anterior compartment of the forearm and into the hand via the carpal tunnel. Injury presentation depends heavily on the level of the lesion.
| Site of Injury | Clinical Presentation |
|---|---|
| Supracondylar Humerus Fracture | “Pope’s Blessing” hand (when attempting to make a fist). |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Thenar atrophy, pain/paresthesia in lateral 3.5 digits; weakness in thumb opposition. |
| Wrist Laceration | “Ape hand” deformity (inability to abduct/oppose thumb). |
High-Yield Clinical Notes:
- Thenar Muscles: “OAF” (Opponens pollicis, Abductor pollicis brevis, Flexor pollicis brevis).
- Sensory Distribution: Lateral 3.5 digits on the palmar surface and the dorsal tips of those fingers.
- Carpal Tunnel: Most common entrapment neuropathy; often associated with repetitive use, pregnancy, or hypothyroidism.