Hernia: triangles of the groin: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Hernia: triangles of the groin

Sample item

During laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, mesh fixation with tacks should be avoided in the triangle of pain. Which nerve is at risk there?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve

The triangle of pain lies lateral to the gonadal vessels and below the iliopubic tract and contains the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve. The triangle of doom, medial to the vessels, contains the external iliac vessels. Tacking in these areas causes neuralgia or haemorrhage.

Option by option

  • A. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (correct)

    Correct. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve runs in the triangle of pain.

  • B. Sciatic nerve

    The sciatic nerve is not in the groin.

  • C. Ilioinguinal nerve only

    The ilioinguinal nerve is encountered in open repairs.

  • D. Obturator nerve

    The obturator nerve lies deeper in the pelvis.

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 General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is A, Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. The triangle of pain lies lateral to the gonadal vessels and below the iliopubic tract and contains the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve.

Why is "Sciatic nerve" not the answer?

The sciatic nerve is not in the groin.

Why is "Ilioinguinal nerve only" not the answer?

The ilioinguinal nerve is encountered in open repairs.

Why is "Obturator nerve" not the answer?

The obturator nerve lies deeper in the pelvis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hernia: triangles of the groin in General Surgery. The triangle of doom, medial to the vessels, contains the external iliac vessels. Tacking in these areas causes neuralgia or haemorrhage.

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 Hernia: triangles of the groin?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.