Neurophysiology: aphasia: practice question

A Physiology 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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Physiology · Neurophysiology: aphasia

Sample item

After a left parietal stroke, a man speaks fluently with occasional wrong-word errors and understands commands, but cannot repeat the phrase 'no ifs, ands or buts'. Which structure is affected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Arcuate fasciculus connecting Wernicke and Broca areas

Conduction aphasia has fluent speech, intact comprehension and poor repetition with paraphasic errors because the arcuate fasciculus cannot relay information between the receptive and expressive areas. In Broca aphasia speech is non-fluent with intact comprehension, and in Wernicke aphasia speech is fluent with poor comprehension. Transcortical aphasias spare repetition.

Option by option

  • A. Broca area in the inferior frontal gyrus

    Broca damage gives non-fluent, effortful speech.

  • B. Wernicke area in the posterior superior temporal gyrus

    Wernicke damage gives poor comprehension with fluent nonsensical speech.

  • C. Arcuate fasciculus connecting Wernicke and Broca areas (correct)

    Correct. Disconnection between the language areas selectively impairs repetition.

  • D. Watershed regions around the Broca area

    Transcortical motor aphasia from watershed lesions spares repetition.

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 Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is C, Arcuate fasciculus connecting Wernicke and Broca areas. Conduction aphasia has fluent speech, intact comprehension and poor repetition with paraphasic errors because the arcuate fasciculus cannot relay information between the receptive and expressive areas.

Why is "Broca area in the inferior frontal gyrus" not the answer?

Broca damage gives non-fluent, effortful speech.

Why is "Wernicke area in the posterior superior temporal gyrus" not the answer?

Wernicke damage gives poor comprehension with fluent nonsensical speech.

Why is "Watershed regions around the Broca area" not the answer?

Transcortical motor aphasia from watershed lesions spares repetition.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurophysiology: aphasia in Physiology. In Broca aphasia speech is non-fluent with intact comprehension, and in Wernicke aphasia speech is fluent with poor comprehension. Transcortical aphasias spare repetition.

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 Neurophysiology: aphasia?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology 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.