Neurophysiology and special senses: frontal eye field: practice question

A Physiology 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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Physiology · Neurophysiology and special senses: frontal eye field

Sample item

A patient has an acute infarct of the left frontal eye field. Towards which side do the eyes deviate acutely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Towards the left, the side of the lesion

Each frontal eye field drives saccades to the opposite side. After a left lesion, the intact right frontal eye field is unopposed and pushes the eyes to the left, towards the lesion. Eye deviation is thus toward the side of a cortical lesion.

Option by option

  • A. Towards the right, away from the lesion

    Eyes deviating away from the lesion suggest a pontine gaze centre lesion.

  • B. Towards the left, the side of the lesion (correct)

    Correct. The unopposed right field drives the eyes towards the left lesion.

  • C. Neither side; the eyes stay in the midline with nystagmus

    Midline gaze with nystagmus is not the characteristic result of this lesion.

  • D. Upwards only

    Vertical deviation is not the result of a unilateral frontal eye field lesion.

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.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is B, Towards the left, the side of the lesion. Each frontal eye field drives saccades to the opposite side.

Why is "Towards the right, away from the lesion" not the answer?

Eyes deviating away from the lesion suggest a pontine gaze centre lesion.

Why is "Neither side; the eyes stay in the midline with nystagmus" not the answer?

Midline gaze with nystagmus is not the characteristic result of this lesion.

Why is "Upwards only" not the answer?

Vertical deviation is not the result of a unilateral frontal eye field lesion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurophysiology and special senses: frontal eye field in Physiology. After a left lesion, the intact right frontal eye field is unopposed and pushes the eyes to the left, towards the lesion. Eye deviation is thus toward the side of a cortical lesion.

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 Neurophysiology and special senses: frontal eye field?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology 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.