Lower limb: leg and foot: 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 · Lower limb: leg and foot

Sample item

A man's popliteal fossa is lacerated by a broken bottle, and the tibial nerve is completely transected high in the fossa. Which deformity of the foot develops over time?

AEquinovarus, as in common fibular nerve palsyBPes cavus with clawing of toes onlyCFoot drop with inversionDCalcaneovalgus, with loss of plantar flexion and inversion

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Calcaneovalgus, with loss of plantar flexion and inversion

The tibial nerve supplies gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis posterior and the long toe flexors, and sole sensation. Loss of these muscles leaves the dorsiflexors and evertors, supplied by the fibular nerves, unopposed. The foot rests dorsiflexed and everted (calcaneovalgus) with anaesthesia of the sole.

Option by option

A. Equinovarus, as in common fibular nerve palsy
Equinovarus results from a fibular lesion in which the plantar flexors are unopposed.
B. Pes cavus with clawing of toes only
Clawing alone suggests intrinsic foot muscle loss and would not abolish plantar flexion.
C. Foot drop with inversion
Foot drop with inversion accompanies the fibular nerve lesion, not the tibial nerve.
D. Calcaneovalgus, with loss of plantar flexion and inversion (correct)
Correct. Unopposed fibular muscles dorsiflex and evert the foot, and the sole is numb.

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, Calcaneovalgus, with loss of plantar flexion and inversion. The tibial nerve supplies gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis posterior and the long toe flexors, and sole sensation.

Why is "Equinovarus, as in common fibular nerve palsy" not the answer?

Equinovarus results from a fibular lesion in which the plantar flexors are unopposed.

Why is "Pes cavus with clawing of toes only" not the answer?

Clawing alone suggests intrinsic foot muscle loss and would not abolish plantar flexion.

Why is "Foot drop with inversion" not the answer?

Foot drop with inversion accompanies the fibular nerve lesion, not the tibial nerve.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb: leg and foot in Anatomy. Loss of these muscles leaves the dorsiflexors and evertors, supplied by the fibular nerves, unopposed. The foot rests dorsiflexed and everted (calcaneovalgus) with anaesthesia of the sole.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: leg and foot?

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.