Ocular motility: practice question

A Ophthalmology 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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Ophthalmology · Ocular motility

Sample item

Which nerve palsy causes an eye positioned down and out with ptosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Oculomotor nerve palsy

Oculomotor nerve palsy weakens most extraocular muscles and levator palpebrae, leaving lateral rectus and superior oblique actions unopposed.

Option by option

  • A. Abducens nerve palsy

    Sixth-nerve palsy mainly prevents abduction.

  • B. Oculomotor nerve palsy (correct)

    Correct: third-nerve palsy causes down-and-out eye with ptosis.

  • C. Facial nerve palsy

    Facial palsy affects eyelid closure rather than globe position.

  • D. Trochlear nerve palsy

    Fourth-nerve palsy impairs depression in adduction.

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 Ophthalmology questions

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is B, Oculomotor nerve palsy. Oculomotor nerve palsy weakens most extraocular muscles and levator palpebrae, leaving lateral rectus and superior oblique actions unopposed.

Why is "Abducens nerve palsy" not the answer?

Sixth-nerve palsy mainly prevents abduction.

Why is "Facial nerve palsy" not the answer?

Facial palsy affects eyelid closure rather than globe position.

Why is "Trochlear nerve palsy" not the answer?

Fourth-nerve palsy impairs depression in adduction.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ocular motility in Ophthalmology. The correct option holds because: Correct: third-nerve palsy causes down-and-out eye with ptosis.

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 Ocular motility?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology 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.