This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Clinical examination

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The ulnar nerve supplies all the small muscles of the hand except for the lateral two lumbricals, opponens pollicis, abductor pollicis brevis, and flexor pollicis brevis.

  • inspection for claw hand and wasting of the small muscles - clawing is of the ring and little fingers due to hyperextension at the metacarpophalangeal joints and flexion of the interphalangeal joints. Clawing of the hand is greater with an ulnar nerve lesion at the wrist. If a lesion of the ulnar nerve occurs at or above the elbow then the loss of flexor digitorum profundus means that there is less of flexion of the interphalangeal joints.

  • motor function: test for Froment's sign

  • sensation: test for pin prick sensation over the palmar aspect of the ring finger - the ulnar nerve supplies the sensation over the palmar and dorsal aspect of the little finger and the medial half of the ring finger.

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.