Shoulder: subscapularis: 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: subscapularis

Sample item

A 50-year-old man has pain after a fall on the shoulder. When asked to place the back of his hand on the lumbar spine and lift it away from his back, he cannot do so. Which muscle is most likely torn?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Subscapularis

The lift-off test assesses subscapularis, the internal rotator of the rotator cuff that arises from the subscapular fossa and inserts into the lesser tubercle. It is supplied by the upper and lower subscapular nerves. Infraspinatus and teres minor are external rotators.

Option by option

  • A. Long head of biceps

    The long head of biceps is tested by resisted flexion and supination, not by lift-off.

  • B. Infraspinatus

    Infraspinatus externally rotates the arm and is tested by resisted external rotation.

  • C. Teres minor

    Teres minor is an external rotator supplied by the axillary nerve.

  • D. Subscapularis (correct)

    Correct. Failure to lift the hand off the back indicates a subscapularis tear.

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, Subscapularis. The lift-off test assesses subscapularis, the internal rotator of the rotator cuff that arises from the subscapular fossa and inserts into the lesser tubercle.

Why is "Long head of biceps" not the answer?

The long head of biceps is tested by resisted flexion and supination, not by lift-off.

Why is "Infraspinatus" not the answer?

Infraspinatus externally rotates the arm and is tested by resisted external rotation.

Why is "Teres minor" not the answer?

Teres minor is an external rotator supplied by the axillary nerve.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Shoulder: subscapularis in Anatomy. It is supplied by the upper and lower subscapular nerves. Infraspinatus and teres minor are external rotators.

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: subscapularis?

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.