Identification: sexing the sternum: practice question

A Forensic Medicine 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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Forensic Medicine · Identification: sexing the sternum

Sample item

A complete sternum from a skeleton has a manubrium 5.2 cm long and a body 8.4 cm long. What does the ratio of these lengths suggest?

AMale, as the body is longer than the manubriumBMale, as the body is less than twice the manubriumCFemale, as the manubrium is longer than the bodyDFemale, as the body is less than twice the manubrium

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Female, as the body is less than twice the manubrium

In males the body of the sternum is more than twice the length of the manubrium, while in females it is less than twice. Here the body is about 1.6 times the manubrium, which favours a female. The sternum is only one of several indicators and is not used alone.

Option by option

A. Male, as the body is longer than the manubrium
Both sexes have a body longer than the manubrium; the twofold ratio separates them.
B. Male, as the body is less than twice the manubrium
A body less than twice the manubrium does not favour a male.
C. Female, as the manubrium is longer than the body
The manubrium is shorter than the body here; this is not the criterion.
D. Female, as the body is less than twice the manubrium (correct)
Correct. A body less than twice the manubrium length favours a female.

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 Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Female, as the body is less than twice the manubrium. In males the body of the sternum is more than twice the length of the manubrium, while in females it is less than twice.

Why is "Male, as the body is longer than the manubrium" not the answer?

Both sexes have a body longer than the manubrium; the twofold ratio separates them.

Why is "Male, as the body is less than twice the manubrium" not the answer?

A body less than twice the manubrium does not favour a male.

Why is "Female, as the manubrium is longer than the body" not the answer?

The manubrium is shorter than the body here; this is not the criterion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Identification: sexing the sternum in Forensic Medicine. Here the body is about 1.6 times the manubrium, which favours a female. The sternum is only one of several indicators and is not used alone.

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 Identification: sexing the sternum?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine 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.