Upper limb and brachial plexus: ulnar collateral ligament: 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.

Try it

Anatomy · Upper limb and brachial plexus: ulnar collateral ligament

Sample item

A baseball pitcher feels medial elbow pain and instability with valgus stress during throwing. Which structure is injured?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Anterior band of the ulnar collateral ligament

The ulnar (medial) collateral ligament, particularly its anterior band, resists valgus stress at the elbow. Repetitive overhead throwing can attenuate or tear it.

Option by option

  • A. Annular ligament

    This ligament encircles the radial head and mostly prevents its displacement, not valgus instability.

  • B. Radial collateral ligament

    This ligament stabilises the lateral side against varus stress.

  • C. Anterior band of the ulnar collateral ligament (correct)

    Correct. This ligament resists valgus force on the medial side.

  • D. Interosseous membrane

    This membrane joins radius and ulna along the forearm and does not stabilise the elbow against valgus.

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 C, Anterior band of the ulnar collateral ligament. The ulnar (medial) collateral ligament, particularly its anterior band, resists valgus stress at the elbow.

Why is "Annular ligament" not the answer?

This ligament encircles the radial head and mostly prevents its displacement, not valgus instability.

Why is "Radial collateral ligament" not the answer?

This ligament stabilises the lateral side against varus stress.

Why is "Interosseous membrane" not the answer?

This membrane joins radius and ulna along the forearm and does not stabilise the elbow against valgus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Upper limb and brachial plexus: ulnar collateral ligament in Anatomy. Repetitive overhead throwing can attenuate or tear it.

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: ulnar collateral ligament?

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.