Pelvis: vascular relations: 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 · Pelvis: vascular relations

Sample item

Near the lateral vaginal fornix, the ureter is crossed from above by which vessel, a relation of surgical importance in hysterectomy?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Uterine artery

The uterine artery, a branch of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery, runs medially in the base of the broad ligament and passes above and in front of the ureter near the cervix. This is the classic relation described as the ureter lying beneath the uterine artery, and it makes the ureter vulnerable when the artery is clamped.

Option by option

  • A. Uterine artery (correct)

    Correct. The ureter runs beneath the uterine artery close to the cervix and lateral fornix.

  • B. Obturator artery

    The obturator artery runs on the lateral pelvic wall to the obturator canal and is not related to the ureter here.

  • C. Internal pudendal artery

    The internal pudendal artery leaves the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen and does not cross the ureter.

  • D. Middle rectal artery

    The middle rectal artery supplies the rectum and lies posteriorly, away from the ureter at the lateral fornix.

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 Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is A, Uterine artery. The uterine artery, a branch of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery, runs medially in the base of the broad ligament and passes above and in front of the ureter near the cervix.

Why is "Obturator artery" not the answer?

The obturator artery runs on the lateral pelvic wall to the obturator canal and is not related to the ureter here.

Why is "Internal pudendal artery" not the answer?

The internal pudendal artery leaves the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen and does not cross the ureter.

Why is "Middle rectal artery" not the answer?

The middle rectal artery supplies the rectum and lies posteriorly, away from the ureter at the lateral fornix.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pelvis: vascular relations in Anatomy. This is the classic relation described as the ureter lying beneath the uterine artery, and it makes the ureter vulnerable when the artery is clamped.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Pelvis: vascular relations?

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.