Lower limb: 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 · Lower limb

Sample item

A middle-aged woman has a progressively flat medial arch with inability to rise on tiptoe on the affected side and a talar head sagging downwards. Which tendon failure is the usual cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Tibialis posterior

Tibialis posterior supports the medial longitudinal arch and, with the spring ligament, holds the head of the talus up. Dysfunction produces an acquired flatfoot with a hindfoot valgus.

Option by option

  • A. Extensor hallucis longus

    Extensor hallucis longus extends the great toe and is not an arch supporter.

  • B. Tibialis anterior

    Tibialis anterior dorsiflexes and inverts and its loss causes foot drop.

  • C. Fibularis brevis

    Fibularis brevis everts the foot and supports the lateral side.

  • D. Tibialis posterior (correct)

    Correct. Tibialis posterior is the main dynamic support of the medial arch.

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 D, Tibialis posterior. Tibialis posterior supports the medial longitudinal arch and, with the spring ligament, holds the head of the talus up.

Why is "Extensor hallucis longus" not the answer?

Extensor hallucis longus extends the great toe and is not an arch supporter.

Why is "Tibialis anterior" not the answer?

Tibialis anterior dorsiflexes and inverts and its loss causes foot drop.

Why is "Fibularis brevis" not the answer?

Fibularis brevis everts the foot and supports the lateral side.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb in Anatomy. Dysfunction produces an acquired flatfoot with a hindfoot valgus.

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 Lower limb?

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.