College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

Which nerve is responsible for the sensory innervation of the anterior arm?

1. Musculocutaneous nerve

2. Median nerve

3. Ulnar nerve

4. Radial nerve

The correct answer is: Musculocutaneous nerve

The musculocutaneous nerve is primarily responsible for the sensory innervation of the anterior arm. It emerges from the brachial plexus and innervates the coracobrachialis, biceps brachii, and brachialis muscles. As it continues down the arm, it provides sensory branches that supply the skin of the lateral side of the forearm. This is important in understanding the role of the musculocutaneous nerve, as it directly correlates with its anatomical path and functional responsibilities in the upper limb. The other nerves listed, while they innervate various regions of the upper limb, do not primarily provide sensory information to the anterior arm. The median nerve predominantly supplies the anterior forearm and some hand muscles, the ulnar nerve primarily serves the intrinsic muscles of the hand and provides some skin sensation on the medial aspect of the hand, and the radial nerve is mainly responsible for the posterior arm and forearm regions. Therefore, the musculocutaneous nerve is the correct answer for sensory innervation of the anterior arm.