Head and neck: thyroidea ima 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 · Head and neck: thyroidea ima artery

Sample item

During an emergency low tracheostomy, unexpected brisk bleeding comes from a small midline vessel ascending in front of the trachea toward the isthmus. Which artery is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Thyroidea ima artery

The thyroidea ima is an inconstant artery arising from the brachiocephalic trunk or aortic arch and ascending in front of the trachea to the thyroid isthmus. It can be injured in low tracheostomy. The superior and inferior thyroid arteries run laterally to the lobes.

Option by option

  • A. Superior thyroid artery

    This artery from the external carotid enters the upper pole of the lobe, away from the midline.

  • B. Thyroidea ima artery (correct)

    Correct. This inconstant midline artery runs up in front of the trachea.

  • C. Internal thoracic artery

    This artery descends behind the costal cartilages, away from the neck.

  • D. Inferior thyroid artery

    This artery from the thyrocervical trunk enters the gland laterally at its lower pole.

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 B, Thyroidea ima artery. The thyroidea ima is an inconstant artery arising from the brachiocephalic trunk or aortic arch and ascending in front of the trachea to the thyroid isthmus.

Why is "Superior thyroid artery" not the answer?

This artery from the external carotid enters the upper pole of the lobe, away from the midline.

Why is "Internal thoracic artery" not the answer?

This artery descends behind the costal cartilages, away from the neck.

Why is "Inferior thyroid artery" not the answer?

This artery from the thyrocervical trunk enters the gland laterally at its lower pole.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: thyroidea ima artery in Anatomy. It can be injured in low tracheostomy. The superior and inferior thyroid arteries run laterally to the lobes.

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 Head and neck: thyroidea ima 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.