Thorax: recurrent laryngeal nerve: 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: recurrent laryngeal nerve

Sample item

A left hilar tumour causes hoarseness by compressing a nerve that loops under which vessel?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Arch of the aorta

The left recurrent laryngeal nerve loops under the aortic arch near the ligamentum arteriosum before ascending in the tracheo-oesophageal groove. The right nerve loops under the right subclavian artery.

Option by option

  • A. Pulmonary trunk

    The pulmonary trunk is not the recurrent nerve's looping point.

  • B. Arch of the aorta (correct)

    Correct. The left recurrent laryngeal nerve is related to the aortic arch.

  • C. Superior vena cava

    The superior vena cava is not the relevant relation.

  • D. Subclavian artery

    The right, not left, recurrent laryngeal nerve loops under the subclavian artery.

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 B, Arch of the aorta. The left recurrent laryngeal nerve loops under the aortic arch near the ligamentum arteriosum before ascending in the tracheo-oesophageal groove.

Why is "Pulmonary trunk" not the answer?

The pulmonary trunk is not the recurrent nerve's looping point.

Why is "Superior vena cava" not the answer?

The superior vena cava is not the relevant relation.

Why is "Subclavian artery" not the answer?

The right, not left, recurrent laryngeal nerve loops under the subclavian artery.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax: recurrent laryngeal nerve in Anatomy. The right nerve loops under the right subclavian artery.

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: recurrent laryngeal nerve?

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.