This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Clinical examination

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The clinical examination of the median nerve involves:

  • motor: - lesions at the wrist (carpal tunnel) - pen-touching test. The patient lies his hand flat on a table with his palm facing upwards. The patient is asked to abduct his thumb to touch the examiner's pen which is held above it. This test is for the function of abductor pollicis brevis - one of the LOAF muscles supplied by the median nerve in the hand. LOAF is a mnemonic for the lateral two lumbricals, opponens pollicis, abductor pollicis brevis and flexor pollicis muscles. - lesions at the cubital fossa can be tested for using Oschner's clasping test.

  • sensory: - test pin prick over the palmar aspect of the index finger - supplies the palmar aspect of the thumb, index, middle, and lateral half of ring fingers.

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.