Shoulder girdle: long thoracic 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 · Shoulder girdle: long thoracic nerve

Sample item

After axillary lymph-node dissection, a patient has a winged scapula that becomes prominent when pushing against a wall. Which muscle is weak?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Serratus anterior

The long thoracic nerve supplies serratus anterior, which holds the scapula against the thoracic wall and assists upward rotation. Injury causes medial scapular winging.

Option by option

  • A. Trapezius

    Trapezius weakness produces lateral scapular displacement and shoulder droop.

  • B. Serratus anterior (correct)

    Correct. Serratus anterior palsy produces classic wall-push winging.

  • C. Deltoid

    Deltoid acts at the glenohumeral joint.

  • D. Rhomboid major

    Rhomboids retract the scapula but do not cause the classic pattern.

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, Serratus anterior. The long thoracic nerve supplies serratus anterior, which holds the scapula against the thoracic wall and assists upward rotation.

Why is "Trapezius" not the answer?

Trapezius weakness produces lateral scapular displacement and shoulder droop.

Why is "Deltoid" not the answer?

Deltoid acts at the glenohumeral joint.

Why is "Rhomboid major" not the answer?

Rhomboids retract the scapula but do not cause the classic pattern.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Shoulder girdle: long thoracic nerve in Anatomy. Injury causes medial scapular winging.

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 girdle: long thoracic 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.