Superficial branch of ulnar nerve supplies
**Question:** Superficial branch of ulnar nerve supplies
**Core Concept:** The ulnar nerve is a mixed nerve that originates from the cervical spinal cord and extends down the arm to the hand. It contains both motor and sensory fibers. The ulnar nerve has two main branches: the deep and the superficial branch.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The correct answer, **A. Opponens digiti minimi muscle**, refers to the muscle innervation provided by the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve. This branch supplies motor innervation to the opponens digiti minimi muscle, which is responsible for adducting the little finger and abducting the ring finger.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
B. **Answer B, C, and D refer to other muscles or structures that are not innervated by the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve.**
- B. **Answer B refers to the long digital flexor muscle group, which is innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve.**
- C. **Answer C refers to the flexor pollicis brevis muscle, which is also innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve.**
- D. **Answer D refers to the abductor digiti minimi muscle, which is innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve.**
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact:** The superficial branch of the ulnar nerve provides motor innervation to the opponens digiti minimi muscle, which is essential for maintaining digit alignment and preventing excessive finger deviation in the hand. Understanding the anatomy and function of peripheral nerves is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of nerve injuries and diseases.
**Correct Answer:** A. Opponens digiti minimi muscle