Neurophysiology and special senses: Papez circuit: 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 and special senses: Papez circuit

Sample item

Which sequence correctly describes the circuit of Papez, which is concerned with memory and emotion?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hippocampus, fornix, mammillary body, anterior thalamus, cingulate gyrus

In the Papez circuit, the hippocampus projects through the fornix to the mammillary body, then via the mammillothalamic tract to the anterior thalamic nucleus, then to the cingulate gyrus, and back to the hippocampus through the entorhinal cortex. Damage to it is associated with amnesia, as in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Option by option

  • A. Hippocampus, fornix, mammillary body, anterior thalamus, cingulate gyrus (correct)

    Correct. This is the classic Papez loop.

  • B. Hippocampus, fornix, septal nuclei, habenula, interpeduncular nucleus

    This describes the septal-habenular pathway, not the Papez loop.

  • C. Cingulate gyrus, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, thalamus, motor cortex

    This describes a motor loop through the basal ganglia.

  • D. Amygdala, stria terminalis, hypothalamus, dorsomedial thalamus, orbitofrontal cortex

    This sequence describes amygdala connections, not the Papez loop.

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 A, Hippocampus, fornix, mammillary body, anterior thalamus, cingulate gyrus. In the Papez circuit, the hippocampus projects through the fornix to the mammillary body, then via the mammillothalamic tract to the anterior thalamic nucleus, then to the cingulate gyrus, and back to the hippocampus through the entorhinal cortex.

Why is "Hippocampus, fornix, septal nuclei, habenula, interpeduncular nucleus" not the answer?

This describes the septal-habenular pathway, not the Papez loop.

Why is "Cingulate gyrus, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, thalamus, motor co…" not the answer?

This describes a motor loop through the basal ganglia.

Why is "Amygdala, stria terminalis, hypothalamus, dorsomedial thalamus, orbit…" not the answer?

This sequence describes amygdala connections, not the Papez loop.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurophysiology and special senses: Papez circuit in Physiology. Damage to it is associated with amnesia, as in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 and special senses: Papez circuit?

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.