Thorax: 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 · Thorax

Sample item

On axial thoracic imaging, which central compartment contains the heart, trachea, and esophagus between the pleural cavities?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Mediastinum

The mediastinum is the central thoracic compartment between the pleural sacs and contains the heart, great vessels, trachea, and esophagus.

Option by option

  • A. Costal cartilage

    Costal cartilage connects ribs to the sternum anteriorly.

  • B. Pleural recess

    Pleural recesses are potential spaces at pleural reflections, not the central compartment.

  • C. Mediastinum (correct)

    Correct: mediastinum is the central compartment between the lungs.

  • D. Diaphragmatic crura

    Diaphragmatic crura are muscular attachments of the diaphragm.

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 C, Mediastinum. The mediastinum is the central thoracic compartment between the pleural sacs and contains the heart, great vessels, trachea, and esophagus.

Why is "Costal cartilage" not the answer?

Costal cartilage connects ribs to the sternum anteriorly.

Why is "Pleural recess" not the answer?

Pleural recesses are potential spaces at pleural reflections, not the central compartment.

Why is "Diaphragmatic crura" not the answer?

Diaphragmatic crura are muscular attachments of the diaphragm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct: mediastinum is the central compartment between the lungs.

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 Thorax?

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.