Shoulder: 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 · Shoulder

Sample item

Which rotator-cuff muscle initiates the first part of shoulder abduction?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Supraspinatus

Supraspinatus initiates early abduction of the arm and helps stabilize the humeral head in the glenoid; the deltoid becomes the major abductor through the middle range.

Option by option

  • A. Latissimus dorsi

    Latissimus dorsi extends and adducts the arm.

  • B. Teres major

    Teres major extends, adducts, and internally rotates the arm.

  • C. Subscapularis

    Subscapularis primarily internally rotates the humerus.

  • D. Supraspinatus (correct)

    Correct: supraspinatus initiates the early phase of abduction.

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, Supraspinatus. Supraspinatus initiates early abduction of the arm and helps stabilize the humeral head in the glenoid; the deltoid becomes the major abductor through the middle range.

Why is "Latissimus dorsi" not the answer?

Latissimus dorsi extends and adducts the arm.

Why is "Teres major" not the answer?

Teres major extends, adducts, and internally rotates the arm.

Why is "Subscapularis" not the answer?

Subscapularis primarily internally rotates the humerus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Shoulder in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct: supraspinatus initiates the early phase of abduction.

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 Shoulder?

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.