Phalen's sign tests compression of which nerve?

Phalen's sign tests compression of which nerve?

• A. Median nerve
• B. Ulnar nerve
• C. Radial nerve
• D. Axillary nerve

Answer: (A)

Phalen’s maneuver evaluates compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. By flexing the wrists fully and holding them together, the pressure inside the carpal tunnel rises, potentially triggering numbness or tingling in the median nerve distribution (thumb, index, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger) if carpal tunnel syndrome is present. The other nerves aren’t typically affected by this wrist position: the ulnar nerve would produce symptoms in the small finger and ulnar half of the ring finger (often at Guyon’s canal or the elbow), the radial nerve symptoms would involve the dorsum of the hand, and the axillary nerve relates to shoulder/deltoid function.

Phalen’s maneuver evaluates compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. By flexing the wrists fully and holding them together, the pressure inside the carpal tunnel rises, potentially triggering numbness or tingling in the median nerve distribution (thumb, index, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger) if carpal tunnel syndrome is present. The other nerves aren’t typically affected by this wrist position: the ulnar nerve would produce symptoms in the small finger and ulnar half of the ring finger (often at Guyon’s canal or the elbow), the radial nerve symptoms would involve the dorsum of the hand, and the axillary nerve relates to shoulder/deltoid function.