Abdomen and pelvis: prostatic urethra landmark: 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 · Abdomen and pelvis: prostatic urethra landmark

Sample item

During transurethral resection of the prostate the surgeon identifies a rounded elevation on the posterior wall of the prostatic urethra where the ejaculatory ducts open, and does not resect distal to it. Which landmark is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Seminal colliculus (verumontanum)

The seminal colliculus is a midline elevation on the urethral crest bearing the opening of the prostatic utricle and, on either side, the ejaculatory ducts. It marks the distal limit of resection so that the external urethral sphincter just below it is protected. The bulbourethral ducts open into the spongy urethra, well below.

Option by option

  • A. Interureteric ridge

    The interureteric ridge lies between the ureteric orifices at the back of the bladder.

  • B. Uvula vesicae

    The uvula vesicae is the bladder neck elevation caused by the median lobe of the prostate.

  • C. Seminal colliculus (verumontanum) (correct)

    Correct. The verumontanum carries the openings of the ejaculatory ducts and prostatic utricle.

  • D. Openings of the bulbourethral ducts

    The bulbourethral duct openings lie in the spongy urethra, beyond the membranous urethra.

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, Seminal colliculus (verumontanum). The seminal colliculus is a midline elevation on the urethral crest bearing the opening of the prostatic utricle and, on either side, the ejaculatory ducts.

Why is "Interureteric ridge" not the answer?

The interureteric ridge lies between the ureteric orifices at the back of the bladder.

Why is "Uvula vesicae" not the answer?

The uvula vesicae is the bladder neck elevation caused by the median lobe of the prostate.

Why is "Openings of the bulbourethral ducts" not the answer?

The bulbourethral duct openings lie in the spongy urethra, beyond the membranous urethra.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdomen and pelvis: prostatic urethra landmark in Anatomy. It marks the distal limit of resection so that the external urethral sphincter just below it is protected. The bulbourethral ducts open into the spongy urethra, well below.

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 Abdomen and pelvis: prostatic urethra landmark?

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.