Neuroanatomy: hypothalamic nuclei: 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 · Neuroanatomy: hypothalamic nuclei

Sample item

After a severe head injury a man passes about 8 litres of dilute urine a day. Serum sodium is high and urine osmolality is low. Neurons of which hypothalamic nuclei produce the deficient hormone?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei

Cranial diabetes insipidus follows damage to the hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract or the nuclei that make antidiuretic hormone. Vasopressin is synthesised in magnocellular neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and transported down axons to the posterior pituitary. Oxytocin is made in the same nuclei.

Option by option

  • A. Supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei (correct)

    The supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei produce ADH and oxytocin.

  • B. Arcuate nucleus

    The arcuate nucleus makes releasing and inhibiting factors such as dopamine and controls appetite.

  • C. Ventromedial nucleus

    The ventromedial nucleus is the satiety centre, and its damage causes hyperphagia.

  • D. Suprachiasmatic nucleus

    The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the circadian pacemaker and receives retinal input.

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 A, Supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. Cranial diabetes insipidus follows damage to the hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract or the nuclei that make antidiuretic hormone.

Why is "Arcuate nucleus" not the answer?

The arcuate nucleus makes releasing and inhibiting factors such as dopamine and controls appetite.

Why is "Ventromedial nucleus" not the answer?

The ventromedial nucleus is the satiety centre, and its damage causes hyperphagia.

Why is "Suprachiasmatic nucleus" not the answer?

The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the circadian pacemaker and receives retinal input.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroanatomy: hypothalamic nuclei in Anatomy. Vasopressin is synthesised in magnocellular neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and transported down axons to the posterior pituitary. Oxytocin is made in the same nuclei.

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 Neuroanatomy: hypothalamic nuclei?

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.