Thorax and diaphragm: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Thorax and diaphragm

Sample item

Which structure passes through the oesophageal opening of the diaphragm along with the oesophagus?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Anterior and posterior vagal trunks

The oesophageal hiatus lies at about the level of T10. It transmits the oesophagus, the anterior and posterior vagal trunks and oesophageal branches of the left gastric vessels. The aortic hiatus (T12) carries the aorta, thoracic duct and azygos vein.

Option by option

  • A. Thoracic duct

    The thoracic duct goes through the aortic hiatus at T12, behind the diaphragm's median arcuate ligament.

  • B. Anterior and posterior vagal trunks (correct)

    Correct. The vagal trunks accompany the oesophagus through the T10 opening.

  • C. Greater splanchnic nerve

    The splanchnic nerves pierce the crura of the diaphragm instead of using a named opening.

  • D. Azygos vein

    The azygos vein also uses the aortic hiatus, not the oesophageal one.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is B, Anterior and posterior vagal trunks. The oesophageal hiatus lies at about the level of T10.

Why is "Thoracic duct" not the answer?

The thoracic duct goes through the aortic hiatus at T12, behind the diaphragm's median arcuate ligament.

Why is "Greater splanchnic nerve" not the answer?

The splanchnic nerves pierce the crura of the diaphragm instead of using a named opening.

Why is "Azygos vein" not the answer?

The azygos vein also uses the aortic hiatus, not the oesophageal one.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax and diaphragm in Anatomy. It transmits the oesophagus, the anterior and posterior vagal trunks and oesophageal branches of the left gastric vessels. The aortic hiatus (T12) carries the aorta, thoracic duct and azygos vein.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Thorax and diaphragm?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.