Thorax: pericardial sinuses: 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 · Thorax: pericardial sinuses

Sample item

During cardiac surgery the surgeon passes a finger behind the aorta and pulmonary trunk to place a clamp or tape around both great arteries together. Through which pericardial space does the finger pass?

ACostomediastinal recessBOblique pericardial sinusCTransverse pericardial sinusDPericardiacophrenic space

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Transverse pericardial sinus

The transverse sinus lies behind the aorta and pulmonary trunk (the arterial end of the heart tube) and in front of the superior vena cava and left atrium. It allows both great arteries to be encircled with one clamp. The oblique sinus is the blind recess behind the left atrium, bounded by the pulmonary veins and inferior vena cava.

Option by option

A. Costomediastinal recess
The costomediastinal recess is a pleural recess, not a pericardial space.
B. Oblique pericardial sinus
The oblique sinus lies behind the left atrium and is a blind pocket that does not reach the arteries.
C. Transverse pericardial sinus (correct)
Correct. The transverse sinus lies behind both great arteries and in front of the superior vena cava.
D. Pericardiacophrenic space
The pericardiacophrenic vessels run on the outer fibrous pericardium and do not form a space for clamping.

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, Transverse pericardial sinus. The transverse sinus lies behind the aorta and pulmonary trunk (the arterial end of the heart tube) and in front of the superior vena cava and left atrium.

Why is "Costomediastinal recess" not the answer?

The costomediastinal recess is a pleural recess, not a pericardial space.

Why is "Oblique pericardial sinus" not the answer?

The oblique sinus lies behind the left atrium and is a blind pocket that does not reach the arteries.

Why is "Pericardiacophrenic space" not the answer?

The pericardiacophrenic vessels run on the outer fibrous pericardium and do not form a space for clamping.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax: pericardial sinuses in Anatomy. It allows both great arteries to be encircled with one clamp. The oblique sinus is the blind recess behind the left atrium, bounded by the pulmonary veins and inferior vena cava.

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 Thorax: pericardial sinuses?

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.