Klumpke’s palsy involves which nerve root levels?

Klumpke’s palsy involves which nerve root levels?

• A. C5-C6
• B. C8-T1
• C. L2-L3
• D. T1-T2

Answer: (B)

Klumpke’s palsy is defined by injury to the lower portion of the brachial plexus, specifically the nerve roots that form the lower trunk: C8 and T1. When these roots are damaged, the intrinsic hand muscles (such as the interossei and lumbricals) lose function, leading to weakness or paralysis of the hand and fingers, and sensory loss on the medial forearm and hand. Involvement of T1 can also affect sympathetic fibers, sometimes causing Horner syndrome. This is why C8-T1 is the correct focus: it targets the lower trunk of the brachial plexus, unlike injuries to the upper trunk (which involve C5-C6 and produce Erb palsy) or injuries to lumbar roots (L2-L3, which pertain to the lower limb).

Klumpke’s palsy is defined by injury to the lower portion of the brachial plexus, specifically the nerve roots that form the lower trunk: C8 and T1. When these roots are damaged, the intrinsic hand muscles (such as the interossei and lumbricals) lose function, leading to weakness or paralysis of the hand and fingers, and sensory loss on the medial forearm and hand. Involvement of T1 can also affect sympathetic fibers, sometimes causing Horner syndrome.

This is why C8-T1 is the correct focus: it targets the lower trunk of the brachial plexus, unlike injuries to the upper trunk (which involve C5-C6 and produce Erb palsy) or injuries to lumbar roots (L2-L3, which pertain to the lower limb).