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 structure traverses the cavernous sinus alongside the internal carotid artery?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Abducens nerve

The abducens nerve runs within the cavernous sinus beside the internal carotid artery, making it vulnerable to cavernous sinus pathology.

Option by option

  • A. Vestibulocochlear nerve

    Vestibulocochlear nerve enters the internal acoustic meatus.

  • B. Facial nerve

    Facial nerve travels through the temporal bone.

  • C. Olfactory nerve

    Olfactory nerve lies above the cribriform plate.

  • D. Abducens nerve (correct)

    Correct: abducens has an intraluminal cavernous sinus course.

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, Abducens nerve. The abducens nerve runs within the cavernous sinus beside the internal carotid artery, making it vulnerable to cavernous sinus pathology.

Why is "Vestibulocochlear nerve" not the answer?

Vestibulocochlear nerve enters the internal acoustic meatus.

Why is "Facial nerve" not the answer?

Facial nerve travels through the temporal bone.

Why is "Olfactory nerve" not the answer?

Olfactory nerve lies above the cribriform plate.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct: abducens has an intraluminal cavernous sinus course.

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.