Cubital fossa: venepuncture: 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 · Cubital fossa: venepuncture

Sample item

A phlebotomist draws blood from the median cubital vein. Which structure lies between this vein and the brachial artery and protects the artery from accidental puncture?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Bicipital aponeurosis

In the cubital fossa the bicipital aponeurosis arises from the biceps tendon and passes medially, forming a roof over the brachial artery and median nerve. The median cubital vein lies superficial to it, so the fascial sheet separates the vein from the artery. The floor of the fossa is formed by brachialis and supinator.

Option by option

  • A. Brachioradialis muscle

    Brachioradialis forms the lateral border of the fossa.

  • B. Bicipital aponeurosis (correct)

    Correct. The aponeurosis forms a protective layer between the vein and the artery.

  • C. Pronator teres muscle

    Pronator teres forms the medial border of the fossa, not a layer between vein and artery.

  • D. Brachialis muscle

    Brachialis forms part of the floor of the fossa and is deep to the artery.

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 B, Bicipital aponeurosis. In the cubital fossa the bicipital aponeurosis arises from the biceps tendon and passes medially, forming a roof over the brachial artery and median nerve.

Why is "Brachioradialis muscle" not the answer?

Brachioradialis forms the lateral border of the fossa.

Why is "Pronator teres muscle" not the answer?

Pronator teres forms the medial border of the fossa, not a layer between vein and artery.

Why is "Brachialis muscle" not the answer?

Brachialis forms part of the floor of the fossa and is deep to the artery.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cubital fossa: venepuncture in Anatomy. The median cubital vein lies superficial to it, so the fascial sheet separates the vein from the artery. The floor of the fossa is formed by brachialis and supinator.

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 Cubital fossa: venepuncture?

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.