Lower limb: menisci of the knee: 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: menisci of the knee

Sample item

In twisting injuries of the knee the medial meniscus is torn more often than the lateral meniscus. Which anatomical feature best explains this?

AIt is nearly circular in shape, forming an almost complete ringBIt is attached to the tendon of popliteus, which tethers it to the femurCIt is firmly fixed to the deep fibres of the tibial collateral ligament, so it moves littleDIt is entirely avascular, so it cannot withstand any rotational stress

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. It is firmly fixed to the deep fibres of the tibial collateral ligament, so it moves little

The medial meniscus is C-shaped and is attached to the deep part of the medial collateral ligament, which restricts its mobility so that it is trapped between the femoral and tibial condyles during rotation. The lateral meniscus is smaller, nearly circular and mobile, partly because popliteus is attached to it. Only the peripheral third of either meniscus is vascular.

Option by option

A. It is nearly circular in shape, forming an almost complete ring
The lateral meniscus is the more circular one, and it is also the more mobile.
B. It is attached to the tendon of popliteus, which tethers it to the femur
Popliteus attaches to the lateral meniscus and helps retract it, which protects the lateral meniscus.
C. It is firmly fixed to the deep fibres of the tibial collateral ligament, so it moves little (correct)
Attachment to the tibial collateral ligament makes the medial meniscus less mobile and more prone to tearing.
D. It is entirely avascular, so it cannot withstand any rotational stress
Neither meniscus is entirely avascular, since the peripheral part of each is vascular, so this does not explain the difference between them.

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 C, It is firmly fixed to the deep fibres of the tibial collateral ligament, so it moves little. The medial meniscus is C-shaped and is attached to the deep part of the medial collateral ligament, which restricts its mobility so that it is trapped between the femoral and tibial condyles during rotation.

Why is "It is nearly circular in shape, forming an almost complete ring" not the answer?

The lateral meniscus is the more circular one, and it is also the more mobile.

Why is "It is attached to the tendon of popliteus, which tethers it to the fe…" not the answer?

Popliteus attaches to the lateral meniscus and helps retract it, which protects the lateral meniscus.

Why is "It is entirely avascular, so it cannot withstand any rotational stress" not the answer?

Neither meniscus is entirely avascular, since the peripheral part of each is vascular, so this does not explain the difference between them.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb: menisci of the knee in Anatomy. The lateral meniscus is smaller, nearly circular and mobile, partly because popliteus is attached to it. Only the peripheral third of either meniscus is vascular.

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 Lower limb: menisci of the knee?

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.