Lower limb: neck-shaft angle: 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 · Lower limb: neck-shaft angle

Sample item

A radiograph of the adult hip shows a femoral neck-shaft angle of about 105 degrees. Which term applies, and what is the typical effect on the limb?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Coxa vara with limb shortening

The normal adult neck-shaft angle is about 125 degrees. A smaller angle is coxa vara, which raises the greater trochanter and shortens the limb, with limited abduction. A larger angle is coxa valga, which lengthens the limb.

Option by option

  • A. Coxa vara with limb lengthening

    Coxa vara shortens, and does not lengthen, the limb.

  • B. Coxa valga with limb shortening

    An angle of 105 degrees is smaller than normal and so is not coxa valga.

  • C. Coxa valga with limb lengthening

    An angle of 105 degrees is not coxa valga, and coxa valga would lengthen the limb.

  • D. Coxa vara with limb shortening (correct)

    Correct. An angle below normal is coxa vara, with shortening of the limb.

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 D, Coxa vara with limb shortening. The normal adult neck-shaft angle is about 125 degrees.

Why is "Coxa vara with limb lengthening" not the answer?

Coxa vara shortens, and does not lengthen, the limb.

Why is "Coxa valga with limb shortening" not the answer?

An angle of 105 degrees is smaller than normal and so is not coxa valga.

Why is "Coxa valga with limb lengthening" not the answer?

An angle of 105 degrees is not coxa valga, and coxa valga would lengthen the limb.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb: neck-shaft angle in Anatomy. A smaller angle is coxa vara, which raises the greater trochanter and shortens the limb, with limited abduction. A larger angle is coxa valga, which lengthens the limb.

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 Lower limb: neck-shaft angle?

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.