Abdomen and pelvis: 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 · Abdomen and pelvis

Sample item

A surgeon repairing a hernia notes the deep inguinal ring lies lateral to the inferior epigastric artery. Through which structure's opening is the deep ring formed?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Transversalis fascia

The deep inguinal ring is an opening in the transversalis fascia, lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels. The superficial ring is a split in the external oblique aponeurosis. Indirect hernias enter through the deep ring.

Option by option

  • A. Conjoint tendon

    The conjoint tendon forms the posterior wall medially and not the deep ring.

  • B. Transversalis fascia (correct)

    Correct. The deep ring is a defect in the transversalis fascia.

  • C. Internal oblique muscle

    The internal oblique arches over the canal and does not form the ring.

  • D. External oblique aponeurosis

    The superficial ring is a gap in the external oblique aponeurosis.

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, Transversalis fascia. The deep inguinal ring is an opening in the transversalis fascia, lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels.

Why is "Conjoint tendon" not the answer?

The conjoint tendon forms the posterior wall medially and not the deep ring.

Why is "Internal oblique muscle" not the answer?

The internal oblique arches over the canal and does not form the ring.

Why is "External oblique aponeurosis" not the answer?

The superficial ring is a gap in the external oblique aponeurosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdomen and pelvis in Anatomy. The superficial ring is a split in the external oblique aponeurosis. Indirect hernias enter through the deep ring.

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 Abdomen and pelvis?

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.