Upper limb and brachial plexus: acromioclavicular joint: 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 · Upper limb and brachial plexus: acromioclavicular joint

Sample item

A cyclist falls onto the tip of the shoulder and has a step deformity over the lateral clavicle with the clavicle riding upward. Which ligament, anchoring the clavicle to the scapula, has been torn?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Coracoclavicular ligament

The coracoclavicular ligament (conoid and trapezoid parts) is the main stabiliser of the clavicle to the coracoid process. When it tears in acromioclavicular dislocation, the scapula drops away and the clavicle appears to ride upward.

Option by option

  • A. Coracoclavicular ligament (correct)

    Correct. Tearing of this ligament lets the clavicle ride up.

  • B. Costoclavicular ligament

    This connects the medial clavicle to the first rib, not the lateral end of the clavicle.

  • C. Coracoacromial ligament

    This connects the coracoid and acromion above the humeral head and does not anchor the clavicle.

  • D. Glenohumeral ligament

    This reinforces the shoulder joint capsule and does not hold the clavicle.

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, Coracoclavicular ligament. The coracoclavicular ligament (conoid and trapezoid parts) is the main stabiliser of the clavicle to the coracoid process.

Why is "Costoclavicular ligament" not the answer?

This connects the medial clavicle to the first rib, not the lateral end of the clavicle.

Why is "Coracoacromial ligament" not the answer?

This connects the coracoid and acromion above the humeral head and does not anchor the clavicle.

Why is "Glenohumeral ligament" not the answer?

This reinforces the shoulder joint capsule and does not hold the clavicle.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Upper limb and brachial plexus: acromioclavicular joint in Anatomy. When it tears in acromioclavicular dislocation, the scapula drops away and the clavicle appears to ride upward.

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 Upper limb and brachial plexus: acromioclavicular joint?

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.