Gluteal region: 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 · Gluteal region

Sample item

A man has a positive right Trendelenburg sign: whenever he stands on his right leg, his pelvis sags towards the left. Which nerve is most likely injured?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Right superior gluteal nerve

The superior gluteal nerve supplies gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae, which hold the pelvis level when the opposite foot is lifted. Weakness on the stance side gives a positive Trendelenburg sign, with the pelvis dropping on the unsupported side.

Option by option

  • A. Right femoral nerve

    The femoral nerve supplies the quadriceps and so affects knee extension, not hip abduction.

  • B. Right superior gluteal nerve (correct)

    Correct. Paralysis of the right gluteus medius and minimus lets the left side of the pelvis drop during right-leg stance.

  • C. Right obturator nerve

    The obturator nerve supplies the adductor compartment of the thigh and does not stabilise the pelvis.

  • D. Right inferior gluteal nerve

    The inferior gluteal nerve supplies gluteus maximus, so injury causes difficulty rising from sitting and climbing stairs, not pelvic tilt.

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, Right superior gluteal nerve. The superior gluteal nerve supplies gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae, which hold the pelvis level when the opposite foot is lifted.

Why is "Right femoral nerve" not the answer?

The femoral nerve supplies the quadriceps and so affects knee extension, not hip abduction.

Why is "Right obturator nerve" not the answer?

The obturator nerve supplies the adductor compartment of the thigh and does not stabilise the pelvis.

Why is "Right inferior gluteal nerve" not the answer?

The inferior gluteal nerve supplies gluteus maximus, so injury causes difficulty rising from sitting and climbing stairs, not pelvic tilt.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gluteal region in Anatomy. Weakness on the stance side gives a positive Trendelenburg sign, with the pelvis dropping on the unsupported side.

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 Gluteal region?

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.