DeQuervain’s disease classically affects the:
**Core Concept**
DeQuervain's disease is a type of tendinopathy that affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, specifically the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons. This condition is characterized by inflammation and degeneration of the tendons, leading to pain and limited mobility in the wrist.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is related to the anatomical location of DeQuervain's disease. The APL and EPB tendons are located on the radial (thumb) side of the wrist, making this area prone to irritation and inflammation. The tendons pass through a narrow compartment on the thumb side of the wrist, known as the first dorsal compartment, which can lead to compression and friction on the tendons, resulting in DeQuervain's disease.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because DeQuervain's disease does not affect the median nerve, which is located on the palmar (palm) side of the wrist.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because DeQuervain's disease does not affect the ulnar nerve, which is located on the ulnar (little finger) side of the wrist.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because DeQuervain's disease is not a condition that affects the carpal tunnel, which is a separate anatomical structure located on the palmar side of the wrist.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A classic clinical sign of DeQuervain's disease is Finkelstein's test, which involves the patient making a fist with their thumb inside and then bending their wrist toward their little finger. This movement puts pressure on the first dorsal compartment and can reproduce the pain associated with DeQuervain's disease.
**Correct Answer:**. The tendons of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist.