Inability to adduct the thumb is due to the injury of:March 2009
I remember that the muscles involved in thumb movements are part of the thenar eminence. The thenar muscles include the abductor pollicis brevis, flexor pollicis brevis, and the adductor pollicis. So the adductor pollicis is the key here. If there's an injury to this muscle, the thumb can't adduct.
Now, the question is about which nerve innervates the adductor pollicis. The median nerve usually innervates most of the thenar muscles, but wait, the adductor pollicis is mainly innervated by the ulnar nerve. Let me check that. Yes, the adductor pollicis is innervated by the ulnar nerve, specifically the deep branch. So if there's an injury to the ulnar nerve, especially at the level of the hand (like at the level of the adductor pollicis), it would result in loss of thumb adduction.
The other options would be other nerves. The correct answer should be the ulnar nerve. Let me make sure. The median nerve innervates the abductor pollicis brevis and flexor pollicis brevis. So if the median nerve is injured, the thumb can't abduct, but adduction is unaffected. The radial nerve is more about extension. The musculocutaneous nerve is for arm flexors. So the correct answer must be the ulnar nerve. Therefore, the answer is C. Ulnar nerve.
**Core Concept**
Thumb adduction is primarily mediated by the **adductor pollicis muscle**, innervated by the **ulnar nerve** (deep branch). Injury to this nerve impairs the ability to adduct the thumb, a key clinical sign of ulnar nerve pathology.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The **ulnar nerve** (Option C) innervates the adductor pollicis. Damage to this nerve, such as at the elbow (e.g., cubital tunnel syndrome) or hand, disrupts thumb adduction. The deep branch of the ulnar nerve specifically supplies this muscle, making it critical for the movement described.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** *Median nerve* innervates abductor pollicis brevis and flexor pollicis brevis (thumb abduction and flexion), not adduction.
**Option B:** *Radial nerve* controls extensor muscles (e.g., extensor pollicis longus/ brevis), not adductors.
**Option D:** *Musculocutaneous nerve* supplies forearm flexors (biceps, brachialis), unrelated to thumb movement.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Thumb adduction loss (e.g., "claw hand" deformity) is a hallmark of **ulnar nerve injury**. Remember: **"Ulnar nerve = adductor pollicis"**—this is a high-yield exam point for nerve injury localization.
**Correct Answer: C.