Neuroanatomy: Papez circuit: 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 · Neuroanatomy: Papez circuit

Sample item

In the Papez circuit, output from the mammillary bodies reaches the anterior nucleus of the thalamus through which tract?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Mammillothalamic tract

The Papez circuit runs from the hippocampus through the fornix to the mammillary bodies, then by the mammillothalamic tract to the anterior thalamic nucleus, to the cingulate gyrus and back to the hippocampus via the cingulum. Mammillary body damage in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome interrupts it and impairs new memory.

Option by option

  • A. Mammillothalamic tract (correct)

    Correct. The mammillothalamic tract links the mammillary bodies to the anterior thalamic nucleus.

  • B. Stria terminalis

    The stria terminalis links the amygdala to the hypothalamus and septal area.

  • C. Cingulum

    The cingulum links the cingulate gyrus to the hippocampal formation to close the loop.

  • D. Fornix

    The fornix carries hippocampal output to the mammillary bodies and is the earlier step.

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 A, Mammillothalamic tract. The Papez circuit runs from the hippocampus through the fornix to the mammillary bodies, then by the mammillothalamic tract to the anterior thalamic nucleus, to the cingulate gyrus and back to the hippocampus via the cingulum.

Why is "Stria terminalis" not the answer?

The stria terminalis links the amygdala to the hypothalamus and septal area.

Why is "Cingulum" not the answer?

The cingulum links the cingulate gyrus to the hippocampal formation to close the loop.

Why is "Fornix" not the answer?

The fornix carries hippocampal output to the mammillary bodies and is the earlier step.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroanatomy: Papez circuit in Anatomy. Mammillary body damage in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome interrupts it and impairs new memory.

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 Neuroanatomy: Papez circuit?

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.