Upper limb and brachial plexus: thoracoacromial artery: 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 · Upper limb and brachial plexus: thoracoacromial artery

Sample item

A surgeon ligates the artery that pierces the clavipectoral fascia and divides into acromial, clavicular, deltoid and pectoral branches. From which part of the axillary artery does it arise?

ASecond part, behind pectoralis minorBThird part, below the teres majorCThird part, lateral to pectoralis minorDFirst part, above pectoralis minor

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Second part, behind pectoralis minor

The axillary artery is divided into three parts by pectoralis minor. The first part gives the superior thoracic artery, the second part gives the thoracoacromial and lateral thoracic arteries, and the third part gives the subscapular and the anterior and posterior circumflex humeral arteries.

Option by option

A. Second part, behind pectoralis minor (correct)
Correct. The thoracoacromial artery arises from the second part behind pectoralis minor.
B. Third part, below the teres major
The axillary artery ends at the lower border of teres major, becoming the brachial artery.
C. Third part, lateral to pectoralis minor
The third part gives the subscapular and circumflex humeral arteries.
D. First part, above pectoralis minor
The first part gives only the superior thoracic artery.

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 A, Second part, behind pectoralis minor. The axillary artery is divided into three parts by pectoralis minor.

Why is "Third part, below the teres major" not the answer?

The axillary artery ends at the lower border of teres major, becoming the brachial artery.

Why is "Third part, lateral to pectoralis minor" not the answer?

The third part gives the subscapular and circumflex humeral arteries.

Why is "First part, above pectoralis minor" not the answer?

The first part gives only the superior thoracic artery.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Upper limb and brachial plexus: thoracoacromial artery in Anatomy. The first part gives the superior thoracic artery, the second part gives the thoracoacromial and lateral thoracic arteries, and the third part gives the subscapular and the anterior and posterior circumflex humeral arteries.

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 Upper limb and brachial plexus: thoracoacromial artery?

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.