Abdomen and pelvis: rectovesical fascia: 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: rectovesical fascia

Sample item

In a man with a low rectal cancer, anterior spread is initially restrained by a membranous layer lying between the rectum and the seminal vesicles and prostate. Which fascia is it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Denonvilliers fascia

Denonvilliers fascia is the rectovesical (rectoprostatic) septum separating the rectum from the posterior surface of the bladder, seminal vesicles and prostate. Waldeyer fascia lies behind the rectum, passing from the sacrum to the anorectal junction. Gerota fascia encloses the kidney and Buck fascia the erectile bodies.

Option by option

  • A. Buck fascia

    Buck fascia surrounds the corpora of the penis.

  • B. Waldeyer fascia

    Waldeyer fascia attaches the back of the rectum to the sacrum and does not lie anteriorly.

  • C. Gerota fascia

    Gerota fascia surrounds the kidney and suprarenal gland in the retroperitoneum.

  • D. Denonvilliers fascia (correct)

    Correct. Denonvilliers fascia lies between the rectum and the prostate and seminal vesicles.

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 D, Denonvilliers fascia. Denonvilliers fascia is the rectovesical (rectoprostatic) septum separating the rectum from the posterior surface of the bladder, seminal vesicles and prostate.

Why is "Buck fascia" not the answer?

Buck fascia surrounds the corpora of the penis.

Why is "Waldeyer fascia" not the answer?

Waldeyer fascia attaches the back of the rectum to the sacrum and does not lie anteriorly.

Why is "Gerota fascia" not the answer?

Gerota fascia surrounds the kidney and suprarenal gland in the retroperitoneum.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdomen and pelvis: rectovesical fascia in Anatomy. Waldeyer fascia lies behind the rectum, passing from the sacrum to the anorectal junction. Gerota fascia encloses the kidney and Buck fascia the erectile bodies.

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: rectovesical fascia?

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.