Head and neck: 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 · Head and neck

Sample item

Which bone contains the hypophyseal fossa for the pituitary gland?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Sphenoid bone

The pituitary occupies the hypophyseal fossa within the sella turcica, a saddle-shaped depression located in the sphenoid bone.

Option by option

  • A. Mandible

    Mandible forms the lower jaw.

  • B. Frontal bone

    Frontal bone forms forehead and orbital roof.

  • C. Zygomatic bone

    Zygomatic bone forms the cheek prominence.

  • D. Sphenoid bone (correct)

    Correct: sella turcica is part of the sphenoid bone.

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 D, Sphenoid bone. The pituitary occupies the hypophyseal fossa within the sella turcica, a saddle-shaped depression located in the sphenoid bone.

Why is "Mandible" not the answer?

Mandible forms the lower jaw.

Why is "Frontal bone" not the answer?

Frontal bone forms forehead and orbital roof.

Why is "Zygomatic bone" not the answer?

Zygomatic bone forms the cheek prominence.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct: sella turcica is part of the sphenoid bone.

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 Head and neck?

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.