Neuroanatomy: deep cerebellar nuclei: 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: deep cerebellar nuclei

Sample item

Which deep cerebellar nucleus receives output from the lateral cerebellar hemisphere and projects through the superior cerebellar peduncle to the contralateral ventrolateral thalamus?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Dentate nucleus

The lateral hemisphere, or cerebrocerebellum, projects to the dentate nucleus, which sends fibres via the superior peduncle to the contralateral ventrolateral thalamus and then to the motor cortex. The fastigial nucleus serves the vermis, and the globose and emboliform nuclei serve the intermediate zone.

Option by option

  • A. Dentate nucleus (correct)

    Correct. The dentate nucleus is the output station of the lateral hemisphere.

  • B. Fastigial nucleus

    The fastigial nucleus receives the vermis and projects to vestibular and reticular nuclei.

  • C. Globose nucleus

    The globose nucleus receives the intermediate zone and projects to the red nucleus.

  • D. Emboliform nucleus

    The emboliform nucleus also receives the intermediate zone and projects to the red nucleus.

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 A, Dentate nucleus. The lateral hemisphere, or cerebrocerebellum, projects to the dentate nucleus, which sends fibres via the superior peduncle to the contralateral ventrolateral thalamus and then to the motor cortex.

Why is "Fastigial nucleus" not the answer?

The fastigial nucleus receives the vermis and projects to vestibular and reticular nuclei.

Why is "Globose nucleus" not the answer?

The globose nucleus receives the intermediate zone and projects to the red nucleus.

Why is "Emboliform nucleus" not the answer?

The emboliform nucleus also receives the intermediate zone and projects to the red nucleus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroanatomy: deep cerebellar nuclei in Anatomy. The fastigial nucleus serves the vermis, and the globose and emboliform nuclei serve the intermediate zone.

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: deep cerebellar nuclei?

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.