During the Wright Test, what is the main position of the patient’s arm?

The Wright Test evaluates for thoracic outlet syndrome by observing changes in blood flow or neurological symptoms as the patient's arm position is altered. In this test, the patient's arm is positioned overhead in abduction. This specific positioning can produce tension in the structures passing through the thoracic outlet, such as the subclavian artery and lower trunk of the brachial plexus, thereby highlighting any potential compression or entrapment issues.

Placing the arm overhead in abduction allows the clinician to assess for symptoms related to the thoracic outlet syndrome more effectively, as this position can aggravate any underlying anatomical variations or pathologies that may be contributing to the patient’s complaints. Understanding this relationship between arm position and the assessment of thoracic outlet syndrome is critical in identifying the condition during an examination or clinical assessment.