Head and neck: congenital torticollis: 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 · Head and neck: congenital torticollis

Sample item

A 6-week-old infant has the head tilted to the right and the chin rotated to the left, with a firm non-tender lump in the right neck. Which muscle is involved?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Right sternocleidomastoid

Fibromatosis colli is a fibrous mass in the sternocleidomastoid that shortens it. A shortened right muscle tilts the head to the right and rotates the face to the left. The muscle is supplied by the accessory nerve.

Option by option

  • A. Right scalenus anterior

    Scalenus anterior is deep to the muscle and does not form the classic mass.

  • B. Right sternocleidomastoid (correct)

    Correct. A shortened right sternocleidomastoid tilts the head to its own side and turns the face away.

  • C. Right trapezius

    The trapezius would raise the shoulder and does not rotate the chin.

  • D. Left sternocleidomastoid

    A shortened left muscle would tilt the head to the left.

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 B, Right sternocleidomastoid. Fibromatosis colli is a fibrous mass in the sternocleidomastoid that shortens it.

Why is "Right scalenus anterior" not the answer?

Scalenus anterior is deep to the muscle and does not form the classic mass.

Why is "Right trapezius" not the answer?

The trapezius would raise the shoulder and does not rotate the chin.

Why is "Left sternocleidomastoid" not the answer?

A shortened left muscle would tilt the head to the left.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: congenital torticollis in Anatomy. A shortened right muscle tilts the head to the right and rotates the face to the left. The muscle is supplied by the accessory nerve.

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 Head and neck: congenital torticollis?

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.