Lower limb: tarsal 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.

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Anatomy · Lower limb: tarsal tunnel

Sample item

Compression posterior to the medial malleolus causes numbness over the sole of the foot. Which nerve is compressed?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Tibial nerve

The tibial nerve passes through the tarsal tunnel behind the medial malleolus and divides into plantar nerves. Compression causes plantar sensory symptoms and intrinsic-foot muscle weakness.

Option by option

  • A. Sural nerve

    Sural nerve supplies posterolateral leg and lateral foot skin.

  • B. Femoral nerve

    Femoral nerve does not reach the ankle.

  • C. Tibial nerve (correct)

    Correct. The tarsal tunnel contains the tibial nerve.

  • D. Deep fibular nerve

    Deep fibular nerve supplies the first dorsal web space.

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 C, Tibial nerve. The tibial nerve passes through the tarsal tunnel behind the medial malleolus and divides into plantar nerves.

Why is "Sural nerve" not the answer?

Sural nerve supplies posterolateral leg and lateral foot skin.

Why is "Femoral nerve" not the answer?

Femoral nerve does not reach the ankle.

Why is "Deep fibular nerve" not the answer?

Deep fibular nerve supplies the first dorsal web space.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb: tarsal tunnel in Anatomy. Compression causes plantar sensory symptoms and intrinsic-foot muscle weakness.

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 Lower limb: tarsal 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.