Neurology: middle cerebral artery stroke: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Neurology: middle cerebral artery stroke

Sample item

A patient has right face and arm weakness more than leg, with non-fluent speech and good comprehension. Which vascular territory is affected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Left middle cerebral artery superior division

Contralateral face and arm weakness with Broca-type aphasia in the dominant hemisphere is a superior-division MCA stroke. Lower division strokes cause Wernicke aphasia and visual field defects. Anterior cerebral strokes weaken the leg more than the arm.

Option by option

  • A. Right posterior cerebral artery

    PCA causes visual loss.

  • B. Basilar artery

    Basilar occlusion causes brainstem signs.

  • C. Left middle cerebral artery superior division (correct)

    Correct. This is the dominant MCA pattern.

  • D. Left anterior cerebral artery

    ACA causes leg weakness more than arm.

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 General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Left middle cerebral artery superior division. Contralateral face and arm weakness with Broca-type aphasia in the dominant hemisphere is a superior-division MCA stroke.

Why is "Right posterior cerebral artery" not the answer?

PCA causes visual loss.

Why is "Basilar artery" not the answer?

Basilar occlusion causes brainstem signs.

Why is "Left anterior cerebral artery" not the answer?

ACA causes leg weakness more than arm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: middle cerebral artery stroke in General Medicine. Lower division strokes cause Wernicke aphasia and visual field defects. Anterior cerebral strokes weaken the leg more than the arm.

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 Neurology: middle cerebral artery stroke?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.