Embryology: fetal vessels: 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 · Embryology: fetal vessels

Sample item

A surgeon laparoscopically identifies a fibrous cord running from the internal iliac artery to the umbilicus, raising the medial umbilical fold on the inner anterior abdominal wall. It is the remnant of which fetal structure?

AUmbilical veinBDuctus venosusCUrachusDUmbilical artery

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Umbilical artery

After birth, the distal parts of the umbilical arteries become obliterated as the medial umbilical ligaments, which raise the medial umbilical folds. The urachus forms the median umbilical ligament, and the umbilical vein forms the ligamentum teres hepatis.

Option by option

A. Umbilical vein
The umbilical vein becomes the ligamentum teres hepatis in the free edge of the falciform ligament.
B. Ductus venosus
The ductus venosus becomes the ligamentum venosum on the liver.
C. Urachus
The urachus becomes the median umbilical ligament in the midline.
D. Umbilical artery (correct)
Correct. The obliterated umbilical arteries form the medial umbilical ligaments.

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 D, Umbilical artery. After birth, the distal parts of the umbilical arteries become obliterated as the medial umbilical ligaments, which raise the medial umbilical folds.

Why is "Umbilical vein" not the answer?

The umbilical vein becomes the ligamentum teres hepatis in the free edge of the falciform ligament.

Why is "Ductus venosus" not the answer?

The ductus venosus becomes the ligamentum venosum on the liver.

Why is "Urachus" not the answer?

The urachus becomes the median umbilical ligament in the midline.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Embryology: fetal vessels in Anatomy. The urachus forms the median umbilical ligament, and the umbilical vein forms the ligamentum teres hepatis.

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 Embryology: fetal vessels?

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.