Neuroanatomy: hypothalamic feeding centres: 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: hypothalamic feeding centres

Sample item

A child develops voracious eating, rapid weight gain and rage attacks after surgery for a craniopharyngioma. Damage to which hypothalamic region is most likely?

APreoptic areaBLateral hypothalamic areaCSuprachiasmatic nucleusDVentromedial nucleus

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Ventromedial nucleus

The ventromedial nucleus is the satiety centre, and its destruction removes the inhibition of feeding, producing hyperphagia, obesity and sometimes rage. The lateral hypothalamic area is the feeding centre, and lesions there cause anorexia and weight loss.

Option by option

A. Preoptic area
The preoptic area is concerned with thermoregulation and sexual behaviour.
B. Lateral hypothalamic area
The lateral area drives feeding, so its damage causes anorexia and weight loss.
C. Suprachiasmatic nucleus
The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the circadian pacemaker and does not regulate appetite.
D. Ventromedial nucleus (correct)
Correct. Loss of the satiety centre causes uncontrolled eating and weight gain.

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.

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Ventromedial nucleus. The ventromedial nucleus is the satiety centre, and its destruction removes the inhibition of feeding, producing hyperphagia, obesity and sometimes rage.

Why is "Preoptic area" not the answer?

The preoptic area is concerned with thermoregulation and sexual behaviour.

Why is "Lateral hypothalamic area" not the answer?

The lateral area drives feeding, so its damage causes anorexia and weight loss.

Why is "Suprachiasmatic nucleus" not the answer?

The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the circadian pacemaker and does not regulate appetite.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroanatomy: hypothalamic feeding centres in Anatomy. The lateral hypothalamic area is the feeding centre, and lesions there cause anorexia and weight loss.

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 Neuroanatomy: hypothalamic feeding centres?

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.