Abdomen and pelvis: cremasteric reflex: 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 · Abdomen and pelvis: cremasteric reflex

Sample item

A 14-year-old boy with sudden severe testicular pain has an absent cremasteric reflex on the affected side. Which nerve carries the efferent limb of this reflex?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve

Stroking the skin of the upper medial thigh causes the cremaster to elevate the testis. The afferent limb is the femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve and the efferent limb is the genital branch of the same nerve (L1 and L2). Its absence suggests testicular torsion.

Option by option

  • A. Iliohypogastric nerve

    The iliohypogastric nerve supplies the suprapubic skin and abdominal wall muscles.

  • B. Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve (correct)

    Correct. The genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve supplies the cremaster.

  • C. Ilioinguinal nerve

    The ilioinguinal nerve is sensory to the groin and scrotum and gives no motor supply to the cremaster.

  • D. Pudendal nerve

    The pudendal nerve supplies the perineum and not the cremaster muscle.

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, Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve. Stroking the skin of the upper medial thigh causes the cremaster to elevate the testis.

Why is "Iliohypogastric nerve" not the answer?

The iliohypogastric nerve supplies the suprapubic skin and abdominal wall muscles.

Why is "Ilioinguinal nerve" not the answer?

The ilioinguinal nerve is sensory to the groin and scrotum and gives no motor supply to the cremaster.

Why is "Pudendal nerve" not the answer?

The pudendal nerve supplies the perineum and not the cremaster muscle.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdomen and pelvis: cremasteric reflex in Anatomy. The afferent limb is the femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve and the efferent limb is the genital branch of the same nerve (L1 and L2). Its absence suggests testicular torsion.

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 Abdomen and pelvis: cremasteric reflex?

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.