Head and neck: subclavian artery: 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 · Head and neck: subclavian artery

Sample item

A surgeon exposes the first part of the right subclavian artery, medial to scalenus anterior. Which branches arise from this part?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Vertebral artery, internal thoracic artery and thyrocervical trunk

The first part of the subclavian artery, medial to scalenus anterior, gives the vertebral artery, the internal thoracic artery and the thyrocervical trunk. On the right the costocervical trunk arises from the second part, behind scalenus anterior. The thoracoacromial and lateral thoracic arteries are branches of the axillary artery.

Option by option

  • A. Ascending cervical and inferior thyroid arteries directly

    These arise from the thyrocervical trunk, not directly from the subclavian artery.

  • B. Thoracoacromial and lateral thoracic arteries

    These are branches of the axillary artery, beyond the first rib.

  • C. Costocervical trunk alone

    On the right the costocervical trunk arises from the second part, and it is not the only branch of the first part.

  • D. Vertebral artery, internal thoracic artery and thyrocervical trunk (correct)

    Correct. These three arise from the first part.

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.

More Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Vertebral artery, internal thoracic artery and thyrocervical trunk. The first part of the subclavian artery, medial to scalenus anterior, gives the vertebral artery, the internal thoracic artery and the thyrocervical trunk.

Why is "Ascending cervical and inferior thyroid arteries directly" not the answer?

These arise from the thyrocervical trunk, not directly from the subclavian artery.

Why is "Thoracoacromial and lateral thoracic arteries" not the answer?

These are branches of the axillary artery, beyond the first rib.

Why is "Costocervical trunk alone" not the answer?

On the right the costocervical trunk arises from the second part, and it is not the only branch of the first part.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: subclavian artery in Anatomy. On the right the costocervical trunk arises from the second part, behind scalenus anterior. The thoracoacromial and lateral thoracic arteries are branches of the axillary artery.

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 Head and neck: subclavian artery?

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.