Question

The radial bursa is the synovial sheath covering the tendon of which muscle?

• A. Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS)
• B. Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP)
• C. Flexor pollicis longus (FPL)
• D. Flexor carpi radialis (FCR)

Hint:

Radial means thumb side - which long flexor goes to the thumb?

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: In the hand, two important synovial bursae surround the long flexor tendons as they pass under the flexor retinaculum: the radial bursa and the ulnar bursa.

Step 2: The radial bursa is the synovial sheath that ensheaths the tendon of flexor pollicis longus and extends down to the thumb. This makes FPL the correct answer.

Step 3: The ulnar bursa, in contrast, surrounds the tendons of flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus, so options FDS and FDP belong to the ulnar bursa.

Step 4: Flexor carpi radialis has its own separate sheath and is not the radial bursa, so it is excluded. Hence FPL is correct.