Lower limb: 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 · Lower limb: gluteal region

Sample item

A nurse plans an intramuscular injection in the gluteal region of an adult. To avoid the sciatic nerve and superior gluteal vessels, which site should be chosen?

AThe midpoint between ischial tuberosity and greater trochanterBThe lower outer quadrant of the buttockCThe lower medial quadrant of the buttockDThe upper outer quadrant of the buttock

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. The upper outer quadrant of the buttock

The buttock is divided into four quadrants by a vertical and a horizontal line through its centre. The sciatic nerve leaves the pelvis below piriformis and descends along the lower medial part, roughly midway between ischial tuberosity and greater trochanter. The upper outer quadrant lies over the gluteus medius and is the safe site.

Option by option

A. The midpoint between ischial tuberosity and greater trochanter
This is the surface marking of the sciatic nerve, which is the area to be avoided.
B. The lower outer quadrant of the buttock
This quadrant is close to the nerve as it passes inferiorly, and so is not the recommended site.
C. The lower medial quadrant of the buttock
The sciatic nerve lies near the lower medial region, so injury here causes foot drop.
D. The upper outer quadrant of the buttock (correct)
Correct. This quadrant is away from the sciatic nerve and is covered by thick gluteus medius.

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 Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, The upper outer quadrant of the buttock. The buttock is divided into four quadrants by a vertical and a horizontal line through its centre.

Why is "The midpoint between ischial tuberosity and greater trochanter" not the answer?

This is the surface marking of the sciatic nerve, which is the area to be avoided.

Why is "The lower outer quadrant of the buttock" not the answer?

This quadrant is close to the nerve as it passes inferiorly, and so is not the recommended site.

Why is "The lower medial quadrant of the buttock" not the answer?

The sciatic nerve lies near the lower medial region, so injury here causes foot drop.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb: gluteal region in Anatomy. The sciatic nerve leaves the pelvis below piriformis and descends along the lower medial part, roughly midway between ischial tuberosity and greater trochanter. The upper outer quadrant lies over the gluteus medius and is the safe site.

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 Lower limb: 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.