Lower limb: fibularis tertius: 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: fibularis tertius

Sample item

A muscle that dorsiflexes and everts the foot, supplied by the deep fibular nerve, is missing in a small proportion of people. Which muscle is it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Fibularis tertius

Fibularis tertius is the part of the extensor digitorum longus that passes to the fifth metatarsal base. It dorsiflexes and everts the foot and is absent in a minority of people. Fibularis brevis is a lateral compartment evertor and plantar flexor.

Option by option

  • A. Fibularis brevis

    Fibularis brevis is in the lateral compartment, supplied by the superficial fibular nerve, and it plantar flexes.

  • B. Tibialis anterior

    Tibialis anterior always exists and inverts the foot.

  • C. Fibularis tertius (correct)

    Correct. Fibularis tertius is an inconstant dorsiflexor and evertor.

  • D. Extensor digitorum brevis

    Extensor digitorum brevis is a short muscle on the dorsum of the foot, not a leg muscle.

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, Fibularis tertius. Fibularis tertius is the part of the extensor digitorum longus that passes to the fifth metatarsal base.

Why is "Fibularis brevis" not the answer?

Fibularis brevis is in the lateral compartment, supplied by the superficial fibular nerve, and it plantar flexes.

Why is "Tibialis anterior" not the answer?

Tibialis anterior always exists and inverts the foot.

Why is "Extensor digitorum brevis" not the answer?

Extensor digitorum brevis is a short muscle on the dorsum of the foot, not a leg muscle.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb: fibularis tertius in Anatomy. It dorsiflexes and everts the foot and is absent in a minority of people. Fibularis brevis is a lateral compartment evertor and plantar flexor.

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: fibularis tertius?

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.