Thorax: mediastinum: 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 · Thorax: mediastinum

Sample item

A 35-year-old woman has ptosis and fatigable weakness, and CT shows a mass in the anterior mediastinum in front of the great vessels. Which normal structure resides in this compartment and is the likely origin of the mass?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Thymus

The thymus occupies the superior and anterior mediastinum behind the manubrium and is the site of thymoma, which is associated with myasthenia gravis. The oesophagus, thoracic duct and descending aorta lie in the posterior mediastinum, and the sympathetic chain lies on the vertebral bodies and necks of the ribs.

Option by option

  • A. Oesophagus

    The oesophagus lies in the posterior mediastinum behind the heart.

  • B. Sympathetic chain

    The sympathetic chain is a posterior structure and gives neurogenic rather than thymic tumours.

  • C. Thymus (correct)

    Correct. The thymus lies in the anterior mediastinum and thymoma can accompany myasthenia gravis.

  • D. Thoracic duct

    The thoracic duct runs in the posterior mediastinum along the vertebral column.

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.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is C, Thymus. The thymus occupies the superior and anterior mediastinum behind the manubrium and is the site of thymoma, which is associated with myasthenia gravis.

Why is "Oesophagus" not the answer?

The oesophagus lies in the posterior mediastinum behind the heart.

Why is "Sympathetic chain" not the answer?

The sympathetic chain is a posterior structure and gives neurogenic rather than thymic tumours.

Why is "Thoracic duct" not the answer?

The thoracic duct runs in the posterior mediastinum along the vertebral column.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax: mediastinum in Anatomy. The oesophagus, thoracic duct and descending aorta lie in the posterior mediastinum, and the sympathetic chain lies on the vertebral bodies and necks of the ribs.

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 Thorax: mediastinum?

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.