Neuroanatomy: cerebral arteries: 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 · Neuroanatomy: cerebral arteries

Sample item

A hypertensive 62-year-old man has sudden pure motor hemiparesis of the face, arm and leg without sensory or cortical deficit. MRI shows a small infarct in the posterior limb of the internal capsule. Which arteries are most likely occluded?

ACortical branches of the posterior cerebral arteryBAnterior communicating artery branchesCLenticulostriate branches of the middle cerebral arteryDPontine branches of the basilar artery

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lenticulostriate branches of the middle cerebral artery

The lenticulostriate arteries arise from the stem of the middle cerebral artery and are end arteries supplying the putamen, the globus pallidus, caudate and the internal capsule. Hypertension damages them, producing lacunar infarcts. Corticospinal fibres compactly packed in the internal capsule cause pure motor hemiparesis.

Option by option

A. Cortical branches of the posterior cerebral artery
These supply the occipital lobe and would give visual field defects.
B. Anterior communicating artery branches
These supply the anterior hypothalamus and optic chiasm region and do not supply the posterior limb of the capsule.
C. Lenticulostriate branches of the middle cerebral artery (correct)
Correct. These end arteries supply the internal capsule and are damaged by chronic hypertension.
D. Pontine branches of the basilar artery
Pontine branches would produce brainstem signs, such as cranial nerve palsy or ataxia.

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.

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is C, Lenticulostriate branches of the middle cerebral artery. The lenticulostriate arteries arise from the stem of the middle cerebral artery and are end arteries supplying the putamen, the globus pallidus, caudate and the internal capsule.

Why is "Cortical branches of the posterior cerebral artery" not the answer?

These supply the occipital lobe and would give visual field defects.

Why is "Anterior communicating artery branches" not the answer?

These supply the anterior hypothalamus and optic chiasm region and do not supply the posterior limb of the capsule.

Why is "Pontine branches of the basilar artery" not the answer?

Pontine branches would produce brainstem signs, such as cranial nerve palsy or ataxia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroanatomy: cerebral arteries in Anatomy. Hypertension damages them, producing lacunar infarcts. Corticospinal fibres compactly packed in the internal capsule cause pure motor hemiparesis.

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 Neuroanatomy: cerebral arteries?

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.