Thorax: recurrent laryngeal nerve: 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: recurrent laryngeal nerve

Sample item

Why is the left recurrent laryngeal nerve vulnerable to pathology in the aortopulmonary window?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. It loops under the arch of the aorta

The left recurrent laryngeal nerve descends into the thorax and loops under the aortic arch near the ligamentum arteriosum before ascending to the larynx. Mediastinal pathology can therefore cause hoarseness.

Option by option

  • A. It loops under the arch of the aorta (correct)

    Correct. Its thoracic loop explains vulnerability near the aortic arch.

  • B. It travels with the femoral artery

    The femoral artery is in the thigh.

  • C. It exits through the obturator canal

    The obturator canal transmits the obturator nerve and vessels.

  • D. It passes through the carpal tunnel

    Carpal tunnel contains the median nerve.

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 A, It loops under the arch of the aorta. The left recurrent laryngeal nerve descends into the thorax and loops under the aortic arch near the ligamentum arteriosum before ascending to the larynx.

Why is "It travels with the femoral artery" not the answer?

The femoral artery is in the thigh.

Why is "It exits through the obturator canal" not the answer?

The obturator canal transmits the obturator nerve and vessels.

Why is "It passes through the carpal tunnel" not the answer?

Carpal tunnel contains the median nerve.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax: recurrent laryngeal nerve in Anatomy. Mediastinal pathology can therefore cause hoarseness.

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: recurrent laryngeal nerve?

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.