Which nerve block is useful for anesthesia to the tip of the little finger?

• A. Radial
• B. Ulnar
• C. Median
• D. Musculocutaneous

Answer: (B)

The tip of the little finger is innervated sensory-wise by the ulnar nerve. Blocking the ulnar nerve at a convenient site (such as near the wrist) interrupts sensation to that finger, providing anesthesia for procedures there. The radial nerve covers the dorsal and lateral hand but not the little finger tip, the median nerve supplies the lateral three and a half digits, and the musculocutaneous nerve mainly supplies the forearm skin. So the ulnar nerve block is the appropriate choice for anesthetizing the little finger tip.