Lower limb: Lisfranc injury: 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 · Lower limb: Lisfranc injury

Sample item

After a twisting injury to the foot, a patient has midfoot swelling, plantar bruising and widening between the base of the second metatarsal and the medial cuneiform on weight-bearing X-ray. Which ligament is most likely torn?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Lisfranc ligament

The Lisfranc ligament runs from the medial cuneiform to the base of the second metatarsal and stabilises the tarsometatarsal joints. Its disruption allows widening of the first and second metatarsal bases.

Option by option

  • A. Plantar calcaneonavicular ligament

    This spring ligament supports the head of the talus and is not between cuneiform and metatarsal.

  • B. Lisfranc ligament (correct)

    Correct. This ligament links the medial cuneiform with the second metatarsal base.

  • C. Bifurcate ligament

    This Y-shaped ligament connects the calcaneus to the cuboid and navicular on the dorsum of the foot.

  • D. Long plantar ligament

    This ligament spans from the calcaneus to the cuboid and metatarsal bases and resists arch flattening, not this widening.

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 B, Lisfranc ligament. The Lisfranc ligament runs from the medial cuneiform to the base of the second metatarsal and stabilises the tarsometatarsal joints.

Why is "Plantar calcaneonavicular ligament" not the answer?

This spring ligament supports the head of the talus and is not between cuneiform and metatarsal.

Why is "Bifurcate ligament" not the answer?

This Y-shaped ligament connects the calcaneus to the cuboid and navicular on the dorsum of the foot.

Why is "Long plantar ligament" not the answer?

This ligament spans from the calcaneus to the cuboid and metatarsal bases and resists arch flattening, not this widening.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb: Lisfranc injury in Anatomy. Its disruption allows widening of the first and second metatarsal bases.

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 Lower limb: Lisfranc injury?

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.