Small bowel: SMA syndrome: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Small bowel: SMA syndrome

Sample item

A young woman with rapid weight loss after scoliosis surgery has postprandial vomiting and relief when lying on her left side. Contrast study shows abrupt cut-off of the duodenum. What is compressed?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Third part of the duodenum between the SMA and aorta

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome results from loss of the retroperitoneal fat pad, which narrows the aortomesenteric angle and compresses the third part of the duodenum. Treatment is nutritional support and positioning, and duodenojejunostomy for persistent cases.

Option by option

  • A. First part of the duodenum by the gallbladder

    The gallbladder does not cause this picture.

  • B. Pylorus by hypertrophic muscle

    Pyloric hypertrophy is seen in infants, not after weight loss in adults.

  • C. Second part of the duodenum by the pancreatic head

    Pancreatic head disease does not explain the positional relief.

  • D. Third part of the duodenum between the SMA and aorta (correct)

    Correct. The third part of the duodenum crosses between the SMA and aorta.

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.

More General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Third part of the duodenum between the SMA and aorta. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome results from loss of the retroperitoneal fat pad, which narrows the aortomesenteric angle and compresses the third part of the duodenum.

Why is "First part of the duodenum by the gallbladder" not the answer?

The gallbladder does not cause this picture.

Why is "Pylorus by hypertrophic muscle" not the answer?

Pyloric hypertrophy is seen in infants, not after weight loss in adults.

Why is "Second part of the duodenum by the pancreatic head" not the answer?

Pancreatic head disease does not explain the positional relief.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Small bowel: SMA syndrome in General Surgery. Treatment is nutritional support and positioning, and duodenojejunostomy for persistent 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 Small bowel: SMA syndrome?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.