Neuroanatomy: orbitofrontal syndrome: 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 · Neuroanatomy: orbitofrontal syndrome

Sample item

After a road accident a man becomes socially disinhibited, makes tactless jokes and shows poor judgement, but has normal memory and no weakness. Which area is most likely damaged?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Orbitofrontal cortex

Orbitofrontal lesions cause disinhibition, impulsivity and loss of social judgement. Dorsolateral lesions impair planning and executive function, and medial or cingulate lesions cause apathy and abulia.

Option by option

  • A. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

    Dorsolateral damage causes poor planning and working memory with apathy rather than disinhibition.

  • B. Orbitofrontal cortex (correct)

    Correct. Orbitofrontal damage gives disinhibited, socially inappropriate behaviour.

  • C. Anterior cingulate gyrus

    Cingulate damage causes apathy, akinetic mutism and abulia.

  • D. Inferior frontal gyrus (Broca area)

    Broca area damage causes non-fluent speech with preserved comprehension.

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, Orbitofrontal cortex. Orbitofrontal lesions cause disinhibition, impulsivity and loss of social judgement.

Why is "Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex" not the answer?

Dorsolateral damage causes poor planning and working memory with apathy rather than disinhibition.

Why is "Anterior cingulate gyrus" not the answer?

Cingulate damage causes apathy, akinetic mutism and abulia.

Why is "Inferior frontal gyrus (Broca area)" not the answer?

Broca area damage causes non-fluent speech with preserved comprehension.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroanatomy: orbitofrontal syndrome in Anatomy. Dorsolateral lesions impair planning and executive function, and medial or cingulate lesions cause apathy and abulia.

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 Neuroanatomy: orbitofrontal syndrome?

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.