Head and neck: 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.

Try it

Anatomy · Head and neck

Sample item

Which artery is palpated in front of the ear?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Superficial temporal artery

The superficial temporal artery ascends anterior to the auricle and can be palpated there when assessing temporal arteritis or peripheral pulses.

Option by option

  • A. Superficial temporal artery (correct)

    Correct: superficial temporal artery runs just anterior to the ear.

  • B. Vertebral artery

    Vertebral artery is deep in the neck within transverse foramina.

  • C. Internal jugular vein

    Internal jugular vein is deep in the neck and not palpated in front of the ear.

  • D. Facial vein

    Facial vein is venous and crosses the face rather than forming a preauricular pulse.

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 A, Superficial temporal artery. The superficial temporal artery ascends anterior to the auricle and can be palpated there when assessing temporal arteritis or peripheral pulses.

Why is "Vertebral artery" not the answer?

Vertebral artery is deep in the neck within transverse foramina.

Why is "Internal jugular vein" not the answer?

Internal jugular vein is deep in the neck and not palpated in front of the ear.

Why is "Facial vein" not the answer?

Facial vein is venous and crosses the face rather than forming a preauricular pulse.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct: superficial temporal artery runs just anterior to the ear.

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?

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.