Thorax: 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 · Thorax

Sample item

Which nerve provides the main motor supply to the diaphragm?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Phrenic nerve

The phrenic nerve arises mainly from cervical roots C3 to C5 and provides the diaphragm's primary motor innervation, explaining why high cervical injury can seriously impair ventilation.

Option by option

  • A. Recurrent laryngeal nerve

    The recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies intrinsic laryngeal muscles.

  • B. Phrenic nerve (correct)

    Correct: phrenic nerve is the principal motor nerve of the diaphragm.

  • C. Vagus nerve

    The vagus nerve supplies parasympathetic thoracoabdominal organs.

  • D. Intercostal nerve only

    Intercostal nerves supply intercostal muscles but not the main diaphragmatic motor input.

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, Phrenic nerve. The phrenic nerve arises mainly from cervical roots C3 to C5 and provides the diaphragm's primary motor innervation, explaining why high cervical injury can seriously impair ventilation.

Why is "Recurrent laryngeal nerve" not the answer?

The recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies intrinsic laryngeal muscles.

Why is "Vagus nerve" not the answer?

The vagus nerve supplies parasympathetic thoracoabdominal organs.

Why is "Intercostal nerve only" not the answer?

Intercostal nerves supply intercostal muscles but not the main diaphragmatic motor input.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct: phrenic nerve is the principal motor nerve of the diaphragm.

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 Thorax?

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.