Lower limb: compartments of the leg: 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: compartments of the leg

Sample item

A 25-year-old man has a tibial shaft fracture. Eight hours later he has severe pain out of proportion, a tense swelling lateral to the tibia, and pain on passive flexion of the great toe. Which area of skin loses sensation first if the nerve running in the compromised compartment is compressed?

ASole of the footBMedial malleolus and medial border of the footCLateral side of the dorsum of the footDWeb space between the first and second toes

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Web space between the first and second toes

Anterior compartment syndrome is the most common compartment syndrome of the leg. The deep fibular nerve runs in the anterior compartment and supplies the skin of the first web space, and the muscles of the compartment cause dorsiflexion and toe extension. Early loss of sensation in the first web space, together with pain on passive stretch, is a warning for fasciotomy.

Option by option

A. Sole of the foot
The tibial nerve supplies the sole and lies in the deep posterior compartment, which is not involved here.
B. Medial malleolus and medial border of the foot
The saphenous nerve supplies the medial foot and runs outside the compartments in the subcutaneous plane.
C. Lateral side of the dorsum of the foot
The superficial fibular nerve, in the lateral compartment, supplies the lateral dorsum of the foot.
D. Web space between the first and second toes (correct)
The deep fibular nerve supplies the skin between the great and second toes.

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.

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Web space between the first and second toes. Anterior compartment syndrome is the most common compartment syndrome of the leg.

Why is "Sole of the foot" not the answer?

The tibial nerve supplies the sole and lies in the deep posterior compartment, which is not involved here.

Why is "Medial malleolus and medial border of the foot" not the answer?

The saphenous nerve supplies the medial foot and runs outside the compartments in the subcutaneous plane.

Why is "Lateral side of the dorsum of the foot" not the answer?

The superficial fibular nerve, in the lateral compartment, supplies the lateral dorsum of the foot.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb: compartments of the leg in Anatomy. The deep fibular nerve runs in the anterior compartment and supplies the skin of the first web space, and the muscles of the compartment cause dorsiflexion and toe extension. Early loss of sensation in the first web space, together with pain on passive stretch, is a warning for fasciotomy.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: compartments of the leg?

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.