USA AAO UPPER EXTREMITY QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS LATEST 2025-2026 EXAM UPDATE
This pathology is usually temporary, affects one side, and is dealing with
Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve) - Answer-Bell's Palsy
This pathology occurs when a group of disorders occur when the nerves
at the brachial plexus and/or subclavian artery and vein become
compressed in the ____. - Answer-Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
This pathology is caused by a stretch or compression injury to the
brachial plexus from a blow to the head or shoulder. What is it, who is it
common in, and what are the symptoms? - Answer-1. Burner / Stinger
Syndrome
2. Football players, wrestlers, gymnasts
3. burning pain, pins&needles, numbness, brief paralysis
Pathology known for loss in wrist extension, results from a high radial
nerve injury (usually from a complication of a midhumeral fracture). -
Answer-Wrist Drop
Pathology caused by compression of median nerve as it passes through
___ in wrist. - Answer-Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
,What is the carpal tunnel formed by? - Answer-Transverse Carpal
Ligament and Bony Floor of Carpal Bones
The ulnar nerve crosses the medial border of the elbow as the nerve
runs through the ___. - Answer-Cubital Tunnel
What is the pathology for when you hit your funny bone? How can this
happen? - Answer-Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
If compressed by sustained pressure on the hypothenar eminence.
Ex. leaning on handle bars while riding a bike
Which pathology is known for a loss in thumb opposition, inability to
flex thumb, index, and middle finger? What nerve is involved? -
Answer-Ape Hand; Median Nerve
Which pathology is known for a loss of intrinsic muscles, proximal
phalanges hyperextended, and middle & distal phalanges in extreme
flexion? - Answer-Claw Hand; Ulnar Nerve
Scapular elevation prime movers? - Answer-Upper trapezius, levator
scapula, and rhomboids
Scapular depression prime movers? - Answer-Lower trapezius and
pectoralis major
, Scapular protraction (ABduction) prime movers? - Answer-Serratus
anterior and pectoralis minor
Scapular retraction (adduction) prime movers? - Answer-Middle
trapezius and rhomboids
Scapular upward rotation prime movers? - Answer-Upper and lower
trapezius and serratus anterior
Scapular downward rotation prime movers? - Answer-Rhomboids,
levator scapula, pectoralis minor
Scapular tilt (when the shoulder joint goes into hyperextension) prime
mover(s)? - Answer-Pectoralis minor
When the shoulder joint flexes, what does the shoulder girdle do? How
about extension? Hyperextend? - Answer-Extension: Downward rotation
Flexion: Upward rotation
Hyperextension: Scapular tilt
When the shoulder joint ABducts, what does the shoulder girdle do?
How about adduction? - Answer-ABduction: Upward rotation
Adduction: Downward rotation
ANSWERS LATEST 2025-2026 EXAM UPDATE
This pathology is usually temporary, affects one side, and is dealing with
Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve) - Answer-Bell's Palsy
This pathology occurs when a group of disorders occur when the nerves
at the brachial plexus and/or subclavian artery and vein become
compressed in the ____. - Answer-Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
This pathology is caused by a stretch or compression injury to the
brachial plexus from a blow to the head or shoulder. What is it, who is it
common in, and what are the symptoms? - Answer-1. Burner / Stinger
Syndrome
2. Football players, wrestlers, gymnasts
3. burning pain, pins&needles, numbness, brief paralysis
Pathology known for loss in wrist extension, results from a high radial
nerve injury (usually from a complication of a midhumeral fracture). -
Answer-Wrist Drop
Pathology caused by compression of median nerve as it passes through
___ in wrist. - Answer-Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
,What is the carpal tunnel formed by? - Answer-Transverse Carpal
Ligament and Bony Floor of Carpal Bones
The ulnar nerve crosses the medial border of the elbow as the nerve
runs through the ___. - Answer-Cubital Tunnel
What is the pathology for when you hit your funny bone? How can this
happen? - Answer-Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
If compressed by sustained pressure on the hypothenar eminence.
Ex. leaning on handle bars while riding a bike
Which pathology is known for a loss in thumb opposition, inability to
flex thumb, index, and middle finger? What nerve is involved? -
Answer-Ape Hand; Median Nerve
Which pathology is known for a loss of intrinsic muscles, proximal
phalanges hyperextended, and middle & distal phalanges in extreme
flexion? - Answer-Claw Hand; Ulnar Nerve
Scapular elevation prime movers? - Answer-Upper trapezius, levator
scapula, and rhomboids
Scapular depression prime movers? - Answer-Lower trapezius and
pectoralis major
, Scapular protraction (ABduction) prime movers? - Answer-Serratus
anterior and pectoralis minor
Scapular retraction (adduction) prime movers? - Answer-Middle
trapezius and rhomboids
Scapular upward rotation prime movers? - Answer-Upper and lower
trapezius and serratus anterior
Scapular downward rotation prime movers? - Answer-Rhomboids,
levator scapula, pectoralis minor
Scapular tilt (when the shoulder joint goes into hyperextension) prime
mover(s)? - Answer-Pectoralis minor
When the shoulder joint flexes, what does the shoulder girdle do? How
about extension? Hyperextend? - Answer-Extension: Downward rotation
Flexion: Upward rotation
Hyperextension: Scapular tilt
When the shoulder joint ABducts, what does the shoulder girdle do?
How about adduction? - Answer-ABduction: Upward rotation
Adduction: Downward rotation
