Abdomen and pelvis: diagonal conjugate: 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 · Abdomen and pelvis: diagonal conjugate

Sample item

On vaginal examination, the examiner touches the sacral promontory with the tip of the middle finger and marks where the hand meets the lower border of the pubic arch. Which pelvic diameter has been estimated?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Diagonal conjugate

The diagonal conjugate extends from the lower border of the symphysis pubis to the sacral promontory and is the only anteroposterior inlet diameter that can be measured clinically. The obstetric conjugate is then inferred by subtracting about 1.5 to 2 cm.

Option by option

  • A. Anatomical conjugate

    The anatomical conjugate goes to the upper border of the symphysis and cannot be measured by hand.

  • B. Diagonal conjugate (correct)

    Correct. It is measured clinically from the lower border of the symphysis to the promontory.

  • C. Obstetric conjugate

    The obstetric conjugate is deduced from this measurement and cannot be reached directly.

  • D. Intertuberous diameter

    The intertuberous diameter is a transverse outlet measurement taken between the ischial tuberosities.

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 Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is B, Diagonal conjugate. The diagonal conjugate extends from the lower border of the symphysis pubis to the sacral promontory and is the only anteroposterior inlet diameter that can be measured clinically.

Why is "Anatomical conjugate" not the answer?

The anatomical conjugate goes to the upper border of the symphysis and cannot be measured by hand.

Why is "Obstetric conjugate" not the answer?

The obstetric conjugate is deduced from this measurement and cannot be reached directly.

Why is "Intertuberous diameter" not the answer?

The intertuberous diameter is a transverse outlet measurement taken between the ischial tuberosities.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdomen and pelvis: diagonal conjugate in Anatomy. The obstetric conjugate is then inferred by subtracting about 1.5 to 2 cm.

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 Abdomen and pelvis: diagonal conjugate?

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.