Deep branch of ulnar nerve supplies?
**Core Concept:**
The deep branch of the ulnar nerve is a peripheral nerve that travels in the ulnar groove of the arm and innervates muscles and skin in the ulnar half of the hand. It is an important structure to understand for understanding hand anatomy and clinical presentations involving the ulnar nerve.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
The correct answer is **D**. The deep branch of the ulnar nerve supplies the **median palmar arch**, which is a group of muscles that work together to flex the fingers at the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints, pronate the wrist, and flex the thumb at the metacarpophalangeal joint. The median palmar arch includes the **flexor pollicis longus (FPL)**, **flexor digitorum profundus (FDP)**, and **flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS)** muscles. These muscles are essential for hand movements and understanding their innervation is crucial for diagnosing and treating ulnar nerve injuries or entrapment syndromes.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. The **superficial branch of the ulnar nerve** supplies the skin and muscles in the superficial ulnar half of the hand, but it does not innervate the median palmar arch.
B. The radial nerve is responsible for innervating the muscles and skin in the radial half of the hand, not the ulnar half.
C. The median nerve is responsible for innervating the skin and muscles in the median half of the hand, not the ulnar half.
D. The correct answer (deep branch of the ulnar nerve) supplies the median palmar arch.
**Clinical Pearl:**
While studying anatomy, it is essential to remember the **anatomical landmarks** of the ulnar nerve: the ulnar groove, Guyon's canal, and the wrist joint. These landmarks help identify the course of the ulnar nerve and its branches, including the deep branch, which is crucial for understanding hand function and diagnosing ulnar nerve disorders.