Embryology: posterior urethral valves: 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 · Embryology: posterior urethral valves

Sample item

A male newborn has a palpable bladder, a poor urinary stream and bilateral hydronephrosis. Ultrasound shows a thick-walled bladder. The obstructing valves lie in which part of the urethra?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Prostatic urethra

Posterior urethral valves are mucosal folds in the prostatic part of the male urethra, usually just below the verumontanum. They obstruct urine flow and cause bladder hypertrophy, hydroureter and renal damage.

Option by option

  • A. Navicular fossa

    The navicular fossa is the terminal dilatation in the glans penis.

  • B. Prostatic urethra (correct)

    Correct. The valves lie in the posterior (prostatic) urethra.

  • C. Penile urethra

    Valves in the penile urethra (anterior urethral valves) are much rarer.

  • D. Bladder neck

    Bladder neck obstruction is a separate entity, and the valves lie below it.

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 B, Prostatic urethra. Posterior urethral valves are mucosal folds in the prostatic part of the male urethra, usually just below the verumontanum.

Why is "Navicular fossa" not the answer?

The navicular fossa is the terminal dilatation in the glans penis.

Why is "Penile urethra" not the answer?

Valves in the penile urethra (anterior urethral valves) are much rarer.

Why is "Bladder neck" not the answer?

Bladder neck obstruction is a separate entity, and the valves lie below it.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Embryology: posterior urethral valves in Anatomy. They obstruct urine flow and cause bladder hypertrophy, hydroureter and renal damage.

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 Embryology: posterior urethral valves?

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.