Lower limb: lateral knee: 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 · Lower limb: lateral knee

Sample item

At the lateral side of the knee, the fibular collateral ligament does not attach to the lateral meniscus. Which tendon passes between the ligament and the meniscus?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Popliteus tendon

The popliteus tendon passes between the fibular collateral ligament and the lateral meniscus on its way to the lateral femoral condyle. For this reason the lateral meniscus is more mobile and is injured less often than the medial one.

Option by option

  • A. Iliotibial tract

    This tract passes superficially to Gerdy tubercle and is not between ligament and meniscus.

  • B. Semimembranosus tendon

    This tendon lies on the medial side of the knee.

  • C. Biceps femoris tendon

    This tendon is split by the collateral ligament at the fibular head and does not pass between the ligament and the meniscus.

  • D. Popliteus tendon (correct)

    Correct. The popliteus tendon intervenes and keeps the meniscus mobile.

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 D, Popliteus tendon. The popliteus tendon passes between the fibular collateral ligament and the lateral meniscus on its way to the lateral femoral condyle.

Why is "Iliotibial tract" not the answer?

This tract passes superficially to Gerdy tubercle and is not between ligament and meniscus.

Why is "Semimembranosus tendon" not the answer?

This tendon lies on the medial side of the knee.

Why is "Biceps femoris tendon" not the answer?

This tendon is split by the collateral ligament at the fibular head and does not pass between the ligament and the meniscus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb: lateral knee in Anatomy. For this reason the lateral meniscus is more mobile and is injured less often than the medial one.

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 Lower limb: lateral knee?

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.