Lower limb: hamstring innervation: 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: hamstring innervation

Sample item

After a gunshot injury, a surgeon finds selective damage to the common fibular division of the sciatic nerve high in the thigh. Which muscle of the posterior compartment is most likely to be weakened?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Short head of biceps femoris

The sciatic nerve consists of a tibial division and a common fibular division. The tibial division supplies the hamstring part of adductor magnus, semitendinosus, semimembranosus and the long head of biceps femoris. The short head of biceps femoris is the only hamstring muscle supplied by the common fibular division, and it does not cross the hip joint.

Option by option

  • A. Short head of biceps femoris (correct)

    The short head of biceps femoris receives its supply from the common fibular division.

  • B. Semimembranosus

    Semimembranosus is supplied by the tibial division.

  • C. Semitendinosus

    Semitendinosus is supplied by the tibial division.

  • D. Long head of biceps femoris

    The long head of biceps femoris is supplied by the tibial division.

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, Short head of biceps femoris. The sciatic nerve consists of a tibial division and a common fibular division.

Why is "Semimembranosus" not the answer?

Semimembranosus is supplied by the tibial division.

Why is "Semitendinosus" not the answer?

Semitendinosus is supplied by the tibial division.

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

The long head of biceps femoris is supplied by the tibial division.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb: hamstring innervation in Anatomy. The tibial division supplies the hamstring part of adductor magnus, semitendinosus, semimembranosus and the long head of biceps femoris. The short head of biceps femoris is the only hamstring muscle supplied by the common fibular division, and it does not cross the hip joint.

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: hamstring innervation?

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.