Lower limb: bursae of the 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.

Try it

Anatomy · Lower limb: bursae of the knee

Sample item

A carpet layer who kneels for long periods has a tender fluctuant swelling directly under the skin in front of the lower patella, with a normal range of knee movement. Which bursa is inflamed?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Prepatellar bursa

Prepatellar bursitis, called housemaid's knee, causes superficial swelling in front of the patella in people who kneel. The suprapatellar bursa communicates with the joint, so inflammation there produces an effusion rather than a localised swelling.

Option by option

  • A. Pes anserine bursa

    The pes anserine bursa is on the anteromedial proximal tibia.

  • B. Suprapatellar bursa

    The suprapatellar bursa communicates with the knee, so swelling is an effusion above the patella.

  • C. Prepatellar bursa (correct)

    Correct. The prepatellar bursa lies between skin and patella and is inflamed by kneeling.

  • D. Semimembranosus bursa

    The semimembranosus bursa lies behind the knee and causes popliteal swelling.

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 C, Prepatellar bursa. Prepatellar bursitis, called housemaid's knee, causes superficial swelling in front of the patella in people who kneel.

Why is "Pes anserine bursa" not the answer?

The pes anserine bursa is on the anteromedial proximal tibia.

Why is "Suprapatellar bursa" not the answer?

The suprapatellar bursa communicates with the knee, so swelling is an effusion above the patella.

Why is "Semimembranosus bursa" not the answer?

The semimembranosus bursa lies behind the knee and causes popliteal swelling.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb: bursae of the knee in Anatomy. The suprapatellar bursa communicates with the joint, so inflammation there produces an effusion rather than a localised swelling.

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 Lower limb: bursae of the 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.