Vascular surgery: perforating veins: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Vascular surgery: perforating veins

Sample item

A man has a venous ulcer just above the medial malleolus, and the surgeon plans subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery. Which perforating veins are the usual targets in this region?

AHunter perforator in the mid-thighBBoyd perforator below the kneeCDodd perforators in the lower thighDCockett perforators of the lower medial calf

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Cockett perforators of the lower medial calf

The Cockett perforators connect the posterior arch vein to the posterior tibial veins in the lower medial leg and are the usual source of venous hypertension in gaiter-area ulceration. Hunter and Dodd perforators lie in the thigh, and the Boyd perforator lies just below the knee.

Option by option

A. Hunter perforator in the mid-thigh
The Hunter perforator lies in the mid-thigh in the adductor canal and does not serve the ankle.
B. Boyd perforator below the knee
The Boyd perforator is just below the knee and is rarely the cause of a lower medial leg ulcer.
C. Dodd perforators in the lower thigh
Dodd perforators lie in the lower thigh and are not responsible for the ankle ulcer.
D. Cockett perforators of the lower medial calf (correct)
Correct. Incompetent Cockett perforators drive medial gaiter ulceration.

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 General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Cockett perforators of the lower medial calf. The Cockett perforators connect the posterior arch vein to the posterior tibial veins in the lower medial leg and are the usual source of venous hypertension in gaiter-area ulceration.

Why is "Hunter perforator in the mid-thigh" not the answer?

The Hunter perforator lies in the mid-thigh in the adductor canal and does not serve the ankle.

Why is "Boyd perforator below the knee" not the answer?

The Boyd perforator is just below the knee and is rarely the cause of a lower medial leg ulcer.

Why is "Dodd perforators in the lower thigh" not the answer?

Dodd perforators lie in the lower thigh and are not responsible for the ankle ulcer.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vascular surgery: perforating veins in General Surgery. Hunter and Dodd perforators lie in the thigh, and the Boyd perforator lies just below the knee.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Vascular surgery: perforating veins?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.