Muscle Testing by Nerve | Hand Surgery Resource

Exams and Signs

MUSCLES INNERVATED BY THE MEDIAN NERVE	ABBREVIATIONS
PRONATOR TERES	PT
FLEXOR CARPI RADIALIS	FCR
PALMARIS LONGUS	PL
FLEXOR DIGITORUM SUPERFICIALIS (SUBLIMIS)	FDS
FLEXOR DIGITORUM PROFUNDUS	FDP
FLEXOR POLLICIS LONGUS	FPL
PRONATOR QUADRATUS	PQ
ABDUCTOR POLLICIS BREVIS	ABPB
FLEXOR POLLICIS BREVIS	FPB
OPPONENS POLLICIS	OP
LUMBRICALS	L
MUSCLES INNERVATED BY THE ULNAR NERVE	ABBREVIATIONS
FLEXOR CARPI ULNARIS	FCU
FLEXOR DIGITORUM PROFUNDUS	FDP
HYPOTHENAR MUSCLES	HTM
DORSAL AND PALMAR INTEROSSEI	I
LUMBRICALS	L
ADDUCTOR POLLICIS	ADP
FLEXOR POLLICIS BREVIS	FPB
MUSCLES INNERVATED BY THE RADIAL NERVE	ABBREVIATIONS
TRICEPS	T
ANCONEUS	A
EXTENSOR DIGITORUM COMMUNIS	EDC
EXTENSOR DIGITI MINIMI	EDM
EXTENSOR CARPI ULNARIS	ECU
EXTENSOR POLLICIS LONGUS	EPL
EXTENSOR INDICIS PROPRIUS	EIP
BRADIORADIALIS	BR
EXTENSOR CARPI RADIALIS LONGUS	ECRL
EXTENSOR CARPI RADIALIS BREVIS	ECRB
SUPINATOR	S
ABDUCTOR POLLICIS LONGUS	APL
EXTENSOR POLLICIS BREVIS	EPB
MUSCLES INNERVATED BY THE AXILLARY NERVE	ABBREVIATIONS
TERES MINOR	TM
DELTOID	D

Presentation Photos and Related Diagrams

Motor innervation of the Median Nerve
Motor innervation of the Ulnar Nerve
Motor innervation of the Radial Nerve
Radial Nerve Motor functioning demonstrated by testing EPL and EDC.
Median Nerve Motor functioning demonstrated by testing thenar muscles.
Median Nerve Motor functioning demonstrated by testing FPL.
Ulnar Nerve Motor functioning demonstrated by testing first dorsal interosseous muscle.

Definition of Positive Result

In muscle testing, a normal result is a positive one. During a normal muscle test, the examiner should observe a normal muscle contraction that can move the joint or tendon against full resistance.

Definition of Negative Result

In muscle testing, an abnormal result is a negative one. During an abnormal muscle test, the examiner should observe an abnormal muscle contraction that can move the joint or tendon. In a complete denervation injury, such as a complete nerve laceration, there will be no evidence of any muscle function and the muscle testing grade will be 0.

Comments and Pearls

The last muscle innervated by the ulnar nerve is the First Dorsal Interosseous
The last muscle innervated by the radial nerve is the Extensor Indicis Proprius
The last easily tested muscle innervated by the median nerve is the Thenar Muscles

Diagnoses Associated with Exams and Signs

Videos

Testing median, ulnar, and radial nerve motor function.

References

Hollinshead, WH. Anatomy for Surgeons: Volume 3 The Back and Limbs. Harper & Row Publishers, Inc. New York, San Francisco, London, 1969.