Paediatric orthopaedics: Perkin line: practice question

A Orthopaedics 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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Orthopaedics · Paediatric orthopaedics: Perkin line

Sample item

On an infant pelvis radiograph, Hilgenreiner's line is drawn through the triradiate cartilages and Perkin's line is drawn vertically from the lateral edge of the acetabular roof. Where does the ossific nucleus of a normal femoral head lie?

AIn the inferolateral quadrantBIn the inferomedial quadrantCIn the superolateral quadrantDIn the superomedial quadrant

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. In the inferomedial quadrant

The two lines divide each hip into four quadrants. The normal femoral head ossific nucleus lies in the inferomedial quadrant. In a dislocated hip it lies in the superolateral quadrant, and the nucleus appears at around 4 to 6 months of age.

Option by option

A. In the inferolateral quadrant
The inferolateral quadrant is not the normal position of the nucleus.
B. In the inferomedial quadrant (correct)
Correct. The inferomedial quadrant is the normal position.
C. In the superolateral quadrant
The superolateral quadrant is the position in dislocation.
D. In the superomedial quadrant
The superomedial quadrant would suggest subluxation or upward displacement without lateral shift.

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 Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is B, In the inferomedial quadrant. The two lines divide each hip into four quadrants.

Why is "In the inferolateral quadrant" not the answer?

The inferolateral quadrant is not the normal position of the nucleus.

Why is "In the superolateral quadrant" not the answer?

The superolateral quadrant is the position in dislocation.

Why is "In the superomedial quadrant" not the answer?

The superomedial quadrant would suggest subluxation or upward displacement without lateral shift.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric orthopaedics: Perkin line in Orthopaedics. The normal femoral head ossific nucleus lies in the inferomedial quadrant. In a dislocated hip it lies in the superolateral quadrant, and the nucleus appears at around 4 to 6 months of age.

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 Paediatric orthopaedics: Perkin line?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics 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.