Vestibular disorders: ocular VEMP: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Vestibular disorders: ocular VEMP

Sample item

An ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential recorded from beneath the eyes on upward gaze is used to assess which structures?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Utricle and superior vestibular nerve

Ocular VEMP is a crossed otolith-ocular reflex whose main contribution is from the utricle, through the superior vestibular nerve. Cervical VEMP, recorded from the sternocleidomastoid, tests the saccule and inferior vestibular nerve. The canals are tested by caloric and head impulse tests, and outer hair cells by otoacoustic emissions.

Option by option

  • A. Utricle and superior vestibular nerve (correct)

    Correct. Ocular VEMP reflects utricular function through the superior vestibular nerve.

  • B. Cochlear outer hair cells

    Outer hair cell function is tested by otoacoustic emissions.

  • C. Lateral semicircular canal

    Semicircular canal function is assessed by caloric and head impulse testing.

  • D. Saccule and inferior vestibular nerve

    The saccule and inferior vestibular nerve are tested by cervical VEMP.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Utricle and superior vestibular nerve. Ocular VEMP is a crossed otolith-ocular reflex whose main contribution is from the utricle, through the superior vestibular nerve.

Why is "Cochlear outer hair cells" not the answer?

Outer hair cell function is tested by otoacoustic emissions.

Why is "Lateral semicircular canal" not the answer?

Semicircular canal function is assessed by caloric and head impulse testing.

Why is "Saccule and inferior vestibular nerve" not the answer?

The saccule and inferior vestibular nerve are tested by cervical VEMP.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vestibular disorders: ocular VEMP in ENT. Cervical VEMP, recorded from the sternocleidomastoid, tests the saccule and inferior vestibular nerve. The canals are tested by caloric and head impulse tests, and outer hair cells by otoacoustic emissions.

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 Vestibular disorders: ocular VEMP?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.