Neuroanatomy: trigeminal neuralgia: 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 · Neuroanatomy: trigeminal neuralgia

Sample item

A 62-year-old woman has brief electric-shock pains in the cheek triggered by chewing. MRI shows a vessel loop compressing the trigeminal root near the pons. Which artery is most often responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Superior cerebellar artery

Classical trigeminal neuralgia is usually caused by vascular compression of the trigeminal root entry zone, most often by a loop of the superior cerebellar artery. Microvascular decompression treats refractory cases.

Option by option

  • A. Posterior cerebral artery

    The posterior cerebral artery lies above the oculomotor nerve and does not touch the trigeminal root.

  • B. Superior cerebellar artery (correct)

    Correct. The superior cerebellar artery passes just below the tentorium close to the trigeminal root.

  • C. Posterior inferior cerebellar artery

    The posterior inferior cerebellar artery is related to the lower medulla and the vagus and glossopharyngeal roots.

  • D. Anterior inferior cerebellar artery

    The anterior inferior cerebellar artery lies near the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves.

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, Superior cerebellar artery. Classical trigeminal neuralgia is usually caused by vascular compression of the trigeminal root entry zone, most often by a loop of the superior cerebellar artery.

Why is "Posterior cerebral artery" not the answer?

The posterior cerebral artery lies above the oculomotor nerve and does not touch the trigeminal root.

Why is "Posterior inferior cerebellar artery" not the answer?

The posterior inferior cerebellar artery is related to the lower medulla and the vagus and glossopharyngeal roots.

Why is "Anterior inferior cerebellar artery" not the answer?

The anterior inferior cerebellar artery lies near the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroanatomy: trigeminal neuralgia in Anatomy. Microvascular decompression treats refractory cases.

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 Neuroanatomy: trigeminal neuralgia?

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.