Abdomen and pelvis: inguinal canal: 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.

Try it

Anatomy · Abdomen and pelvis: inguinal canal

Sample item

An adult has a large indirect inguinal hernia that has descended into the scrotum. The muscular covering of the sac is the cremasteric layer of the spermatic cord. From which layer of the abdominal wall does it derive?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Internal oblique muscle

The spermatic cord coverings correspond to the abdominal wall layers pushed ahead of the testis: external spermatic fascia from the external oblique aponeurosis, cremasteric fascia and muscle from the internal oblique, and internal spermatic fascia from the transversalis fascia. Transversus abdominis contributes nothing as the testis passes below its arching fibres.

Option by option

  • A. Internal oblique muscle (correct)

    Correct. Cremaster arises from the internal oblique, with a contribution from the inguinal ligament.

  • B. External oblique aponeurosis

    The external oblique aponeurosis forms the external spermatic fascia.

  • C. Transversalis fascia

    Transversalis fascia forms the internal spermatic fascia.

  • D. Transversus abdominis muscle

    Transversus abdominis does not contribute a covering because the cord passes beneath its arching lower border.

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 A, Internal oblique muscle. The spermatic cord coverings correspond to the abdominal wall layers pushed ahead of the testis: external spermatic fascia from the external oblique aponeurosis, cremasteric fascia and muscle from the internal oblique, and internal spermatic fascia from the transversalis fascia.

Why is "External oblique aponeurosis" not the answer?

The external oblique aponeurosis forms the external spermatic fascia.

Why is "Transversalis fascia" not the answer?

Transversalis fascia forms the internal spermatic fascia.

Why is "Transversus abdominis muscle" not the answer?

Transversus abdominis does not contribute a covering because the cord passes beneath its arching lower border.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdomen and pelvis: inguinal canal in Anatomy. Transversus abdominis contributes nothing as the testis passes below its arching fibres.

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 Abdomen and pelvis: inguinal canal?

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.