PTA Physical Therapy Assistant

Answer: C -Usually the elbow extensors will be spared if the radial nerve is injured between the spiral groove and lateral epicondyle.

The radial nerve originates from the brachial plexus and travels down the arm in the posterior aspect. It gives off branches to the triceps before entering the spiral groove. So the elbow extensors are spared if the injury below this level, i.e. between spiral groove and lateral epicondyle. The wrist extensors, thumb extensors, finger extensors are lost at this level of injury.