Abdomen and pelvis: superior hypogastric plexus: 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: superior hypogastric plexus

Sample item

A woman with chronic central pelvic pain unresponsive to treatment is considered for presacral neurectomy. Which plexus is divided in front of the fifth lumbar vertebra and sacral promontory?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Superior hypogastric plexus

The superior hypogastric plexus (presacral nerve) lies below the aortic bifurcation in front of L5 and the sacral promontory. It carries sympathetic and visceral afferent fibres from the pelvic organs, and presacral neurectomy interrupts central pelvic pain.

Option by option

  • A. Superior hypogastric plexus (correct)

    Correct. The superior hypogastric plexus lies in front of L5 and the sacral promontory.

  • B. Coeliac plexus

    The coeliac plexus surrounds the coeliac trunk at the L1 level.

  • C. Inferior hypogastric plexus

    The inferior hypogastric plexus lies on the sides of the rectum and pelvic organs, deeper in the pelvis.

  • D. Sacral plexus

    The sacral plexus lies on the piriformis and is part of the somatic nervous system.

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 A, Superior hypogastric plexus. The superior hypogastric plexus (presacral nerve) lies below the aortic bifurcation in front of L5 and the sacral promontory.

Why is "Coeliac plexus" not the answer?

The coeliac plexus surrounds the coeliac trunk at the L1 level.

Why is "Inferior hypogastric plexus" not the answer?

The inferior hypogastric plexus lies on the sides of the rectum and pelvic organs, deeper in the pelvis.

Why is "Sacral plexus" not the answer?

The sacral plexus lies on the piriformis and is part of the somatic nervous system.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdomen and pelvis: superior hypogastric plexus in Anatomy. It carries sympathetic and visceral afferent fibres from the pelvic organs, and presacral neurectomy interrupts central pelvic pain.

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 Abdomen and pelvis: superior hypogastric plexus?

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.