Vascular Supply (Brain, Limbs, Thorax, Abdomen) MCQs

Anatomy · 26 free questions with answers & explanations.

1. The anastomosis around the elbow joint between the profunda brachii artery and the radial recurrent artery maintains circulation after brachial artery ligation above which structure?
2. A patient with severe atherosclerosis of the left subclavian artery proximal to the origin of the vertebral artery develops left arm claudication and transient brainstem symptoms (dizziness, diplopia) triggered by left arm exercise. This phenomenon is called the subclavian steal syndrome. The direction of blood flow in the LEFT vertebral artery during arm exercise is:
3. An angiogram of the coeliac axis reveals it arises from the aorta at which vertebral level, and supplies three primary branches. Which branch is NOT a direct branch of the coeliac axis?
4. A patient with a thoracic aortic dissection involving the origin of the anterior spinal artery presents with paraplegia and urinary retention but preserved dorsal column sensation (vibration and proprioception). This clinical syndrome is known as anterior spinal artery syndrome. The anterior spinal artery supplies all of the following EXCEPT:
5. The circle of Willis provides collateral circulation to the brain. In a patient with an isolated occlusion of the right internal carotid artery, which part of the circle can provide flow to the right middle cerebral artery territory via anastomosis?
6. The circle of Willis provides collateral circulation at the base of the brain. The posterior communicating artery connects which two major arterial systems and is a common site for berry aneurysm?
7. The circle of Willis is an anastomotic ring at the base of the brain. Which vessel most commonly causes subarachnoid hemorrhage when it ruptures due to a saccular (berry) aneurysm at the junction of which two arteries?
8. Leriche syndrome results from occlusion of the aortic bifurcation. Which clinical triad is characteristic?
9. The circle of Willis is an arterial anastomosis at the base of the brain. Which of the following is a true clinical implication of this structure?
10. A 70-year-old hypertensive man presents with sudden severe occipital headache, nausea, and nuchal rigidity. CT shows blood in the subarachnoid space. The most common cause in the Circle of Willis is an aneurysm at which site?
11. A 70-year-old patient undergoes an aortic aneurysm repair. Postoperatively the patient develops paraplegia. The anterior spinal artery supplies the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord. The largest radiculomedullary artery reinforcing the anterior spinal artery in the thoracolumbar region is:
12. The celiac trunk (axis) arises from the abdominal aorta at the T12-L1 level. Which specific branch of the celiac trunk anastomoses with the superior mesenteric artery through the pancreaticoduodenal arcades, providing a critical collateral when either vessel is obstructed?
13. The Circle of Willis is an arterial anastomosis at the base of the brain. A 65-year-old patient has internal carotid artery occlusion; which communicating artery is primarily responsible for maintaining ipsilateral anterior circulation?
14. The profunda femoris (deep femoral artery) is the main supply to the muscles of the thigh. It arises from the femoral artery in the femoral triangle, typically how far below the inguinal ligament?
15. The Circle of Willis provides collateral circulation at the base of the brain. Which artery most commonly (80% of cases) gives rise to the posterior communicating artery?
16. The anterior spinal artery supplies the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord. Its occlusion classically produces which syndrome, sparing which modality?
17. The circle of Willis (circulus arteriosus) provides collateral circulation between the anterior and posterior cerebral circulations. Which of its components is most commonly absent or hypoplastic as a normal variant, making the posterior cerebral artery territory vulnerable to anterior circulation occlusion?
18. The artery of Adamkiewicz (arteria radicularis magna) is the dominant radicular artery supplying the anterior spinal artery in the thoracolumbar region. At which spinal level does it most commonly arise?
19. The anterior spinal artery (ASA) supplies the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord. Anterior cord syndrome typically results from ASA occlusion. The posterior columns are SPARED because they receive blood from which separate vessels?
20. The circle of Willis (circulus arteriosus) is formed by anastomoses between which vessels? An aneurysm at the junction of the anterior communicating artery and anterior cerebral artery is particularly associated with which clinical finding if it ruptures?
21. The watershed (boundary zone) between the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) territories is vulnerable in systemic hypotension. A bilateral watershed infarction in the ACA–MCA boundary zone characteristically causes:
22. A 55-year-old man with a history of hypertension presents with sudden tearing chest pain radiating to the back. CT angiography shows a dissection beginning just distal to the left subclavian artery. Which structure marks the anatomical boundary at this level?
23. During a thoracotomy, the surgeon inadvertently cuts a structure running vertically in the posterior mediastinum just to the right of the thoracic duct. This structure most likely is the:
24. A neonate is found to have a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) with abdominal viscera herniating into the left pleural cavity. Through which embryological defect does this most commonly occur?
25. A surgeon performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy must carefully identify the hepatocystic triangle (Calot's triangle) to avoid injury to bile duct structures. Which are the three boundaries of this triangle?
26. A 45-year-old woman has a right-sided inguinal hernia that passes through the deep inguinal ring, travels the length of the inguinal canal, and exits through the superficial inguinal ring. This type of hernia is classified as: