Embryology: diaphragm: 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 · Embryology: diaphragm

Sample item

A newborn has respiratory distress, a scaphoid abdomen and bowel sounds in the left chest. Failure of which embryonic structure to close explains this defect?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Pleuroperitoneal membrane

A posterolateral Bochdalek hernia results from failure of the pleuroperitoneal membrane to fuse, usually on the left. Abdominal viscera enter the chest, compress the lung and cause pulmonary hypoplasia.

Option by option

  • A. Dorsal mesentery of the oesophagus

    The dorsal mesentery of the oesophagus forms the crura and median part.

  • B. Septum transversum

    The septum transversum forms the central tendon, and its failure causes anterior Morgagni hernias.

  • C. Body wall mesoderm

    Body wall mesoderm contributes peripheral muscle, and defects here are less common.

  • D. Pleuroperitoneal membrane (correct)

    Correct. Failure of fusion leaves a posterolateral defect in the diaphragm.

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 D, Pleuroperitoneal membrane. A posterolateral Bochdalek hernia results from failure of the pleuroperitoneal membrane to fuse, usually on the left.

Why is "Dorsal mesentery of the oesophagus" not the answer?

The dorsal mesentery of the oesophagus forms the crura and median part.

Why is "Septum transversum" not the answer?

The septum transversum forms the central tendon, and its failure causes anterior Morgagni hernias.

Why is "Body wall mesoderm" not the answer?

Body wall mesoderm contributes peripheral muscle, and defects here are less common.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Embryology: diaphragm in Anatomy. Abdominal viscera enter the chest, compress the lung and cause pulmonary hypoplasia.

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 Embryology: diaphragm?

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.