Upper limb: carpal tunnel: 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.

Try it

Anatomy · Upper limb: carpal tunnel

Sample item

Which structure passes superficial to the flexor retinaculum and therefore is not compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Palmaris longus tendon

The carpal tunnel contains the median nerve and nine flexor tendons. The palmaris longus tendon lies superficial to the flexor retinaculum.

Option by option

  • A. Palmaris longus tendon (correct)

    Correct. Palmaris longus crosses superficial to the tunnel roof.

  • B. Median nerve

    The median nerve is the structure compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome.

  • C. Flexor pollicis longus tendon

    Flexor pollicis longus is one of the tunnel tendons.

  • D. Flexor digitorum superficialis tendons

    The four flexor digitorum superficialis tendons lie within the tunnel.

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 A, Palmaris longus tendon. The carpal tunnel contains the median nerve and nine flexor tendons.

Why is "Median nerve" not the answer?

The median nerve is the structure compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Why is "Flexor pollicis longus tendon" not the answer?

Flexor pollicis longus is one of the tunnel tendons.

Why is "Flexor digitorum superficialis tendons" not the answer?

The four flexor digitorum superficialis tendons lie within the tunnel.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Upper limb: carpal tunnel in Anatomy. The palmaris longus tendon lies superficial to the flexor retinaculum.

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 Upper limb: carpal tunnel?

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.