Pelvis: pudendal 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 · Pelvis: pudendal nerve

Sample item

Which nerve provides the main somatic motor supply to the external anal sphincter?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Pudendal nerve

The pudendal nerve supplies the external anal sphincter and perineal muscles, as well as somatic sensation from the perineum. It arises from sacral roots S2 to S4.

Option by option

  • A. Obturator nerve

    Obturator nerve supplies thigh adductors.

  • B. Vagus nerve

    Vagus supplies parasympathetic thoracoabdominal viscera.

  • C. Femoral nerve

    Femoral nerve supplies anterior thigh muscles.

  • D. Pudendal nerve (correct)

    Correct. Pudendal motor fibers control voluntary external anal sphincter contraction.

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.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Pudendal nerve. The pudendal nerve supplies the external anal sphincter and perineal muscles, as well as somatic sensation from the perineum.

Why is "Obturator nerve" not the answer?

Obturator nerve supplies thigh adductors.

Why is "Vagus nerve" not the answer?

Vagus supplies parasympathetic thoracoabdominal viscera.

Why is "Femoral nerve" not the answer?

Femoral nerve supplies anterior thigh muscles.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pelvis: pudendal nerve in Anatomy. It arises from sacral roots S2 to S4.

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 Pelvis: pudendal 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.