Thumb abduction is primarily mediated by which nerve root levels via the Abductor pollicis brevis?

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Multiple Choice

Thumb abduction is primarily mediated by which nerve root levels via the Abductor pollicis brevis?

Explanation:
Thumb abduction is carried out by the Abductor pollicis brevis in the thenar eminence, and this muscle is innervated by the recurrent branch of the median nerve. That nerve carries fibers from the C8 and T1 ventral rami, making these the root levels involved in mediating thumb abduction via this muscle. The ulnar nerve supplies the adductor pollicis (and most other intrinsic hand muscles on the ulnar side), not the Abductor pollicis brevis, and lumbar or sacral roots do not participate in this hand function.

Thumb abduction is carried out by the Abductor pollicis brevis in the thenar eminence, and this muscle is innervated by the recurrent branch of the median nerve. That nerve carries fibers from the C8 and T1 ventral rami, making these the root levels involved in mediating thumb abduction via this muscle. The ulnar nerve supplies the adductor pollicis (and most other intrinsic hand muscles on the ulnar side), not the Abductor pollicis brevis, and lumbar or sacral roots do not participate in this hand function.

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