Spine: anterior cord syndrome: practice question

A Orthopaedics 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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Orthopaedics · Spine: anterior cord syndrome

Sample item

A patient with a flexion injury and anterior spinal artery infarction has complete paralysis and loss of pain and temperature below the level, but preserved vibration and proprioception. Which tracts are spared?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Dorsal columns

In anterior cord syndrome, the anterior two-thirds of the cord, containing the corticospinal and spinothalamic tracts, is damaged, while the posterior dorsal columns, supplied by the posterior spinal arteries, are spared. It has the worst prognosis for motor recovery of the incomplete syndromes.

Option by option

  • A. Corticospinal tracts

    The corticospinal tracts are damaged, causing paralysis.

  • B. Spinothalamic tracts

    The spinothalamic tracts are damaged, causing loss of pain and temperature.

  • C. Dorsal columns (correct)

    Correct. The dorsal columns are spared.

  • D. Spinocerebellar tracts

    The spinocerebellar tracts are not the basis of the described deficit.

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 Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is C, Dorsal columns. In anterior cord syndrome, the anterior two-thirds of the cord, containing the corticospinal and spinothalamic tracts, is damaged, while the posterior dorsal columns, supplied by the posterior spinal arteries, are spared.

Why is "Corticospinal tracts" not the answer?

The corticospinal tracts are damaged, causing paralysis.

Why is "Spinothalamic tracts" not the answer?

The spinothalamic tracts are damaged, causing loss of pain and temperature.

Why is "Spinocerebellar tracts" not the answer?

The spinocerebellar tracts are not the basis of the described deficit.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine: anterior cord syndrome in Orthopaedics. It has the worst prognosis for motor recovery of the incomplete syndromes.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Spine: anterior cord syndrome?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics 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.