NLE Anatomy MCQs: Practice Questions With Explanations

Anatomy is one of the largest single subjects in HighYield's NLE (NRE) question bank, with over 160 practice questions — see our NRE syllabus breakdown for how the basic sciences component fits into the wider 200-MCQ theory paper. Below is a sample set spanning upper limb, thorax, head & neck, and neuroanatomy.

Preparing for the PMDC NRE? Practise explanation-backed MCQs in the PMDC NRE QBank. Your first 20 questions are free.

Upper Limb

1. Which nerve pierces the coracobrachialis muscle before continuing as the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm?

• A) Median nerve
• B) Musculocutaneous nerve ✅
• C) Radial nerve
• D) Axillary nerve

2. Compression of which nerve within the carpal tunnel produces the classic nocturnal hand paraesthesia of carpal tunnel syndrome?

• A) Ulnar nerve
• B) Median nerve ✅
• C) Radial nerve
• D) Musculocutaneous nerve

Thorax

3. The inferior vena cava passes through the diaphragm at which vertebral level?

• A) T8 ✅
• B) T10
• C) T12
• D) T6

4. The azygos vein ultimately drains into the:

• A) Inferior vena cava
• B) Superior vena cava ✅
• C) Left brachiocephalic vein
• D) Coronary sinus

Head & Neck

5. The facial nerve exits the skull through the:

• A) Jugular foramen
• B) Foramen ovale
• C) Stylomastoid foramen ✅
• D) Foramen spinosum

6. The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) leaves the skull through the:

• A) Hypoglossal canal ✅
• B) Jugular foramen
• C) Foramen magnum
• D) Carotid canal

Neuroanatomy

7. Broca's area, associated with expressive (non-fluent) aphasia when damaged, is located in the:

• A) Superior temporal gyrus
• B) Inferior frontal gyrus ✅
• C) Postcentral gyrus
• D) Angular gyrus

8. Wernicke's area, associated with receptive (fluent) aphasia when damaged, is located in the:

• A) Posterior superior temporal gyrus ✅
• B) Inferior frontal gyrus
• C) Precentral gyrus
• D) Cerebellum

Why Anatomy Deserves Dedicated Practice

Anatomy questions on the NLE theory paper are rarely pure recall — they're usually framed around a lesion, a nerve injury, or a structure's relationship to its neighbours, which is exactly the applied style tested on exam day. Practicing across regions, rather than only the "high-yield" ones, is what closes the gap between recognising a structure and applying it under exam pressure.

HighYield's NLE question bank covers Anatomy alongside every discipline on the theory paper, including a dedicated Anatomy subject bank, with every question explained. Start with your first questions free, no sign-in required.

Continue your basic-sciences practice with our NLE Pathology MCQs.