Lower limb: cruciate anastomosis: 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 · Lower limb: cruciate anastomosis

Sample item

Ligation of a branch of the profunda femoris is considered during hip surgery. Which artery joins the first perforating artery in forming the cruciate anastomosis at the upper thigh?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Inferior gluteal artery

The cruciate anastomosis at the level of the lesser trochanter is formed by the inferior gluteal artery above, the first perforating artery below, and the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries on the sides. It links the internal iliac and femoral systems.

Option by option

  • A. Superior gluteal artery

    This artery contributes to the trochanteric anastomosis, not the cruciate anastomosis.

  • B. Deep external pudendal artery

    This artery arises from the femoral artery in the femoral triangle and supplies external genitalia.

  • C. Inferior gluteal artery (correct)

    Correct. The inferior gluteal artery supplies the upper limb of the anastomosis.

  • D. Obturator artery

    This artery supplies the hip joint and adductors and does not form the cruciate anastomosis.

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 C, Inferior gluteal artery. The cruciate anastomosis at the level of the lesser trochanter is formed by the inferior gluteal artery above, the first perforating artery below, and the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries on the sides.

Why is "Superior gluteal artery" not the answer?

This artery contributes to the trochanteric anastomosis, not the cruciate anastomosis.

Why is "Deep external pudendal artery" not the answer?

This artery arises from the femoral artery in the femoral triangle and supplies external genitalia.

Why is "Obturator artery" not the answer?

This artery supplies the hip joint and adductors and does not form the cruciate anastomosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb: cruciate anastomosis in Anatomy. It links the internal iliac and femoral systems.

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 Lower limb: cruciate anastomosis?

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.