Pelvis: prostate zones: 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: prostate zones

Sample item

A 68-year-old man has a weak stream and nocturia, and rectal examination shows a smooth, symmetrically enlarged prostate. Which zone enlarges to compress the urethra, and where do most prostate carcinomas arise?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Transition zone enlarges; carcinoma arises mainly in the peripheral zone

Benign prostatic hyperplasia arises in the transition zone, which surrounds the proximal urethra, and compresses it to produce obstructive symptoms. Most adenocarcinomas arise in the peripheral zone, the posterior part felt on digital rectal examination. The central zone surrounds the ejaculatory ducts.

Option by option

  • A. Central zone enlarges; carcinoma arises mainly in the transition zone

    The central zone is not the main site of BPH, and only a minority of carcinomas arise in the transition zone.

  • B. Transition zone enlarges; carcinoma arises mainly in the peripheral zone (correct)

    Correct. BPH is a transition zone disease and carcinoma is mainly peripheral.

  • C. Transition zone enlarges; carcinoma arises mainly in the central zone

    BPH is correctly assigned, but carcinoma is mostly peripheral, not central.

  • D. Peripheral zone enlarges; carcinoma arises mainly in the transition zone

    The peripheral zone is the usual site of carcinoma, not BPH.

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, Transition zone enlarges; carcinoma arises mainly in the peripheral zone. Benign prostatic hyperplasia arises in the transition zone, which surrounds the proximal urethra, and compresses it to produce obstructive symptoms.

Why is "Central zone enlarges; carcinoma arises mainly in the transition zone" not the answer?

The central zone is not the main site of BPH, and only a minority of carcinomas arise in the transition zone.

Why is "Transition zone enlarges; carcinoma arises mainly in the central zone" not the answer?

BPH is correctly assigned, but carcinoma is mostly peripheral, not central.

Why is "Peripheral zone enlarges; carcinoma arises mainly in the transition z…" not the answer?

The peripheral zone is the usual site of carcinoma, not BPH.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pelvis: prostate zones in Anatomy. Most adenocarcinomas arise in the peripheral zone, the posterior part felt on digital rectal examination. The central zone surrounds the ejaculatory ducts.

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: prostate zones?

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.