Palpation Skills
This bony landmark is found first by palpating the spine of the scapula, then medial and lateral borders.
Infraspinous Fossa
What are the 3 main bony landmarks of the elbow? Two of them are insertions for certain muscle groups, name them.
Olecranon Process, Medial and Lateral Epicondyle
Medial epicondyle is the insertion of the flexor muscles. Lateral epicondyle is the insertion of the extensor muscles.
Which carpal bone is the most commonly fractured?
Scaphoid
Describe how you would confirm that you are on the external occipital protuberance.
In the prone position, have client extend neck. Ext. occ. protuberance should be directly superior to the muscles that tighten
What action do you ask the client to perform to confirm the location of Serratus Anterior?
Protraction
Name each confirmation for Trapezius.
Upper trap: extend head
Middle trap: horizontal abduction
Lower trap: shoulder flexion/upward rotation of scapula
Name the muscle that is often missing in certain individuals. Then, name the muscles that lie medially and laterally to this muscle.
Palmaris Longus
Lateral- Flexor Carpi Radialis
Medial- Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
What carpal bone is the most frequently dislocated?
Lunate
Describe how you would differentiate between C7 and T1 spinous processes.
Place one finger on each, have client rotate head. T1 is stationary compared to C7.
What are the 7 steps to take before touching the patient?
1.Wash hands
2.Explain what you are doing
3.Wait for consent
4.Look
5.Position patient
6.Drape
7.Position self
Which muscle is one of the first to initiate shoulder abduction? Name the muscle and explain how you would palpate start to finish.
Supraspinatus- locate spine of scapula and slide superiorly to supraspinous fossa. Palpate deep to trap and follow the muscle until it dives under acromion
Which muscle is the dividing point between the extensors and flexors of the forearm? Name the confirmation of this muscle.
Brachioradialis
Confirmation is elbow flexion with forearm in neutral
The lister’s tubercle serves as a pulley for what muscle
Extensor Pollicis Longus (EPL)
The mastoid process is part of which bone?
Temporal bone
What nerve must you be careful of compressing when palpating the supinator muscle?
The deep branch of the radial nerve.
Explain why you should always be careful when palpating the medial upper arm.
Because the brachial plexus passes through the axillary region down the arm and it can cause discomfort, pain and potential injury if palpated too harshly.
What is the confirmation for the FDS and FDP? Name the difference in insertions between these two muscles.
Ask partner to flex the fingers
The FDP inserts to the DIP
Which muscles make up the hypothenar eminence?
Abductor Digiti Minimi, Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis, Opponens Digiti Minimi
Where do the anterior and middle scalene’s insert? What is the name of the space that this landmark is located in?
1st rib; posterior triangle of the neck
Which deep muscles have fibers that run perpendicular to the erector spinae group?
Rhomboid major
Rhomboid minor
This muscle depresses the scapula, abducts the scapula, and downwardly rotates the scapula. Name the muscle and its confirmation
Pectoralis minor- shoulder girdle depression or rapid upper chest breathing
How do you differentiate the Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus and Brevis when palpating? Name the insertions of these two muscles.
ECRL can be isolated by flexing the wrist and having the individual radially deviate
ECRL insertion- base of 2nd MCP
ECRB insertion- base of 3rd MCP
What three muscles make up the anatomical snuff box and what is their common origin?
Abductor Pollicis Longus, Extensor Pollicis Brevis, Extensor Pollicis Longus.
Common origin is: Interosseous membrane
What two structures run between the anterior and middle scalenes?
Brachial plexus & subclavian artery