Neuroanatomy: recurrent artery of Heubner: 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.

Try it

Anatomy · Neuroanatomy: recurrent artery of Heubner

Sample item

An infarct of the head of the caudate nucleus and the anterior limb of the internal capsule causes contralateral weakness of the face and arm more than the leg. Which artery is occluded?

AAnterior choroidal arteryBRecurrent artery of HeubnerCCallosomarginal arteryDThalamoperforating branches of the posterior communicating artery

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Recurrent artery of Heubner

The medial striate artery, or recurrent artery of Heubner, arises from the anterior cerebral artery near the anterior communicating artery. It supplies the head of the caudate, the anterior putamen and the anterior limb of the internal capsule.

Option by option

A. Anterior choroidal artery
The anterior choroidal artery supplies the posterior limb, the optic tract and the choroid plexus of the temporal horn.
B. Recurrent artery of Heubner (correct)
Correct. The recurrent artery of Heubner supplies the caudate head and anterior limb of the internal capsule.
C. Callosomarginal artery
The callosomarginal artery supplies the medial frontal cortex and paracentral lobule.
D. Thalamoperforating branches of the posterior communicating artery
Thalamoperforators supply the thalamus rather than the caudate head and anterior limb.

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 B, Recurrent artery of Heubner. The medial striate artery, or recurrent artery of Heubner, arises from the anterior cerebral artery near the anterior communicating artery.

Why is "Anterior choroidal artery" not the answer?

The anterior choroidal artery supplies the posterior limb, the optic tract and the choroid plexus of the temporal horn.

Why is "Callosomarginal artery" not the answer?

The callosomarginal artery supplies the medial frontal cortex and paracentral lobule.

Why is "Thalamoperforating branches of the posterior communicating artery" not the answer?

Thalamoperforators supply the thalamus rather than the caudate head and anterior limb.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroanatomy: recurrent artery of Heubner in Anatomy. It supplies the head of the caudate, the anterior putamen and the anterior limb of the internal capsule.

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 Neuroanatomy: recurrent artery of Heubner?

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.