Klumpke’s paralysis involves?
**Core Concept**
Klumpke's paralysis is a type of brachial plexus injury that affects the lower roots of the brachial plexus (C8 and T1). It typically results from a birth injury or a traumatic injury to the neck or shoulder region, leading to weakness or paralysis of the muscles innervated by these nerves.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Klumpke's paralysis involves damage to the lower brachial plexus, which affects the ulnar nerve and the medial and lateral pectoral nerves. This results in weakness or paralysis of the muscles of the forearm and hand, including the flexor muscles of the wrist and fingers. The ulnar nerve, in particular, is responsible for innervating the intrinsic muscles of the hand, leading to characteristic claw-hand deformity in Klumpke's paralysis.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because Erb's paralysis involves damage to the upper brachial plexus, not the lower roots.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect because Horner's syndrome involves damage to the sympathetic nerves, leading to ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis, not brachial plexus injury.
* **Option C:** This option is incorrect because Radial nerve palsy involves damage to the radial nerve, leading to wrist drop and weakness of the extensor muscles of the wrist and fingers.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Klumpke's paralysis is often associated with a birth injury, particularly in cases where the baby is delivered in a breech position or with a shoulder dystocia.
**Correct Answer:** C.