General anatomy and histology: vasa vasorum: 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 · General anatomy and histology: vasa vasorum

Sample item

The wall of the thoracic aorta is too thick for oxygen to reach its outer layers by diffusion from the lumen. How is the outer media nourished?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Small arteries in the adventitia, the vasa vasorum

Large vessels have a vasa vasorum, small arteries and veins in the tunica adventitia that supply the outer part of the media; the inner part is fed by diffusion from the lumen. Damage to the vasa vasorum, as in syphilitic aortitis, weakens the wall.

Option by option

  • A. Small arteries in the adventitia, the vasa vasorum (correct)

    Correct. Adventitial vasa vasorum supply the outer media of large vessels.

  • B. Branches from the endothelium-lined elastic laminae

    Elastic laminae are acellular fibre sheets and contain no vessels.

  • C. Capillaries within the tunica intima

    The tunica intima is avascular and has no capillaries.

  • D. Direct diffusion from the vaso-adventitial lymphatics

    Lymphatics drain tissue fluid and do not carry oxygen to the wall.

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 A, Small arteries in the adventitia, the vasa vasorum. Large vessels have a vasa vasorum, small arteries and veins in the tunica adventitia that supply the outer part of the media; the inner part is fed by diffusion from the lumen.

Why is "Branches from the endothelium-lined elastic laminae" not the answer?

Elastic laminae are acellular fibre sheets and contain no vessels.

Why is "Capillaries within the tunica intima" not the answer?

The tunica intima is avascular and has no capillaries.

Why is "Direct diffusion from the vaso-adventitial lymphatics" not the answer?

Lymphatics drain tissue fluid and do not carry oxygen to the wall.

What concept does this question test?

It tests General anatomy and histology: vasa vasorum in Anatomy. Damage to the vasa vasorum, as in syphilitic aortitis, weakens the wall.

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 General anatomy and histology: vasa vasorum?

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.