Vestibular disorders: superior vestibular neuritis: practice question

A ENT 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.

Try it

ENT · Vestibular disorders: superior vestibular neuritis

Sample item

In classic vestibular neuritis limited to the superior division of the vestibular nerve, which end organ is spared?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Posterior semicircular canal

The superior division supplies the horizontal and anterior canals and the utricle. The inferior division supplies the posterior canal and the saccule, so these remain functional. This explains why a patient may later develop posterior canal BPPV as debris from the damaged utricle enters the intact posterior canal.

Option by option

  • A. Posterior semicircular canal (correct)

    Correct. The posterior canal is supplied by the inferior division, which is unaffected.

  • B. Utricle

    The utricle is supplied by the superior division and is impaired.

  • C. Horizontal semicircular canal

    The horizontal canal is supplied by the superior division and is impaired.

  • D. Anterior semicircular canal

    The anterior canal is also supplied by the superior division.

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 ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Posterior semicircular canal. The superior division supplies the horizontal and anterior canals and the utricle.

Why is "Utricle" not the answer?

The utricle is supplied by the superior division and is impaired.

Why is "Horizontal semicircular canal" not the answer?

The horizontal canal is supplied by the superior division and is impaired.

Why is "Anterior semicircular canal" not the answer?

The anterior canal is also supplied by the superior division.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vestibular disorders: superior vestibular neuritis in ENT. The inferior division supplies the posterior canal and the saccule, so these remain functional. This explains why a patient may later develop posterior canal BPPV as debris from the damaged utricle enters the intact posterior canal.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Vestibular disorders: superior vestibular neuritis?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.