Embryology: gubernaculum: 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 · Embryology: gubernaculum

Sample item

During repair of an inguinal hernia in a girl, the surgeon finds a fibromuscular cord running through the deep inguinal ring to the labium majus. This cord is a remnant of which embryonic structure, and what is it?

AGubernaculum; the round ligament of the uterusBParamesonephric duct; the transverse cervical ligamentCGubernaculum; the suspensory ligament of the ovaryDMesonephric duct; the broad ligament

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Gubernaculum; the round ligament of the uterus

The gubernaculum connects the gonad to the labioscrotal swelling. In females its upper part becomes the ligament of the ovary and its lower part the round ligament of the uterus, which passes through the inguinal canal to the labium majus. In males it becomes the scrotal ligament.

Option by option

A. Gubernaculum; the round ligament of the uterus (correct)
Correct. The round ligament of the uterus is the lower part of the female gubernaculum.
B. Paramesonephric duct; the transverse cervical ligament
The transverse cervical ligament is a pelvic condensation and does not pass through the inguinal canal.
C. Gubernaculum; the suspensory ligament of the ovary
The suspensory ligament carries the ovarian vessels and is a peritoneal fold, not a gubernacular remnant.
D. Mesonephric duct; the broad ligament
The broad ligament is a peritoneal fold, not a cord that passes through the inguinal ring.

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 A, Gubernaculum; the round ligament of the uterus. The gubernaculum connects the gonad to the labioscrotal swelling.

Why is "Paramesonephric duct; the transverse cervical ligament" not the answer?

The transverse cervical ligament is a pelvic condensation and does not pass through the inguinal canal.

Why is "Gubernaculum; the suspensory ligament of the ovary" not the answer?

The suspensory ligament carries the ovarian vessels and is a peritoneal fold, not a gubernacular remnant.

Why is "Mesonephric duct; the broad ligament" not the answer?

The broad ligament is a peritoneal fold, not a cord that passes through the inguinal ring.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Embryology: gubernaculum in Anatomy. In females its upper part becomes the ligament of the ovary and its lower part the round ligament of the uterus, which passes through the inguinal canal to the labium majus. In males it becomes the scrotal ligament.

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 Embryology: gubernaculum?

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.