Regional anaesthesia: popliteal sciatic block: practice question

A Anaesthesia 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.

Try it

Anaesthesia · Regional anaesthesia: popliteal sciatic block

Sample item

A popliteal sciatic nerve block is performed for foot surgery. Which area is not anaesthetised unless an additional block is added?

AThe medial aspect of the leg and ankleBThe lateral aspect of the legCThe sole of the footDThe dorsum of the foot, other than the medial border

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. The medial aspect of the leg and ankle

The sciatic nerve supplies the leg and foot below the knee except for the medial side, which is supplied by the saphenous branch of the femoral nerve. A saphenous or adductor canal block is added for surgery involving the medial malleolus or medial foot. The tibial and common peroneal divisions cover the rest.

Option by option

A. The medial aspect of the leg and ankle (correct)
Correct. The saphenous nerve is not part of the sciatic territory.
B. The lateral aspect of the leg
The lateral leg is supplied by the common peroneal and sural nerves.
C. The sole of the foot
The sole is supplied by the tibial nerve, a sciatic division.
D. The dorsum of the foot, other than the medial border
The dorsum of the foot is mainly supplied by the superficial and deep peroneal nerves.

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.

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is A, The medial aspect of the leg and ankle. The sciatic nerve supplies the leg and foot below the knee except for the medial side, which is supplied by the saphenous branch of the femoral nerve.

Why is "The lateral aspect of the leg" not the answer?

The lateral leg is supplied by the common peroneal and sural nerves.

Why is "The sole of the foot" not the answer?

The sole is supplied by the tibial nerve, a sciatic division.

Why is "The dorsum of the foot, other than the medial border" not the answer?

The dorsum of the foot is mainly supplied by the superficial and deep peroneal nerves.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Regional anaesthesia: popliteal sciatic block in Anaesthesia. A saphenous or adductor canal block is added for surgery involving the medial malleolus or medial foot. The tibial and common peroneal divisions cover the rest.

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 Regional anaesthesia: popliteal sciatic block?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia 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.