Lower limb: popliteal lymph nodes: 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: popliteal lymph nodes

Sample item

A man has an infected wound on the lateral border of the heel and tender swollen nodes behind the knee. Along which superficial vessel do the lymphatics from this area travel to those nodes?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Small saphenous vein

Superficial lymphatics from the lateral foot and the back of the calf follow the small saphenous vein to the popliteal nodes, which then drain to the deep inguinal nodes. Those from the medial foot follow the great saphenous vein to the vertical group of superficial inguinal nodes.

Option by option

  • A. Small saphenous vein (correct)

    Correct. The lateral foot drains along the small saphenous vein to the popliteal nodes.

  • B. Anterior tibial artery

    Deep lymphatics follow the anterior tibial artery to the popliteal nodes, not the superficial vessels from the heel.

  • C. Femoral vein

    The femoral vein is higher in the thigh and is not the route to the popliteal fossa.

  • D. Great saphenous vein

    The great saphenous vein carries lymph from the medial foot to the inguinal nodes.

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 saphenous vein. Superficial lymphatics from the lateral foot and the back of the calf follow the small saphenous vein to the popliteal nodes, which then drain to the deep inguinal nodes.

Why is "Anterior tibial artery" not the answer?

Deep lymphatics follow the anterior tibial artery to the popliteal nodes, not the superficial vessels from the heel.

Why is "Femoral vein" not the answer?

The femoral vein is higher in the thigh and is not the route to the popliteal fossa.

Why is "Great saphenous vein" not the answer?

The great saphenous vein carries lymph from the medial foot to the inguinal nodes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lower limb: popliteal lymph nodes in Anatomy. Those from the medial foot follow the great saphenous vein to the vertical group of superficial inguinal nodes.

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: popliteal lymph nodes?

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.