Abdomen and pelvis: 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 · Abdomen and pelvis

Sample item

A man with cirrhosis has dilated veins around the umbilicus radiating outward. Which portosystemic anastomosis is responsible?

ALeft gastric veins with the oesophageal veinsBRetroperitoneal veins with the lumbar veinsCParaumbilical veins with the superficial epigastric veinsDSuperior rectal vein with the middle rectal vein

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Paraumbilical veins with the superficial epigastric veins

Caput medusae is due to opening up of the paraumbilical veins, which accompany the ligamentum teres, connecting the left portal vein to the superficial epigastric veins of the abdominal wall.

Option by option

A. Left gastric veins with the oesophageal veins
The left gastric and oesophageal link causes oesophageal varices.
B. Retroperitoneal veins with the lumbar veins
The retroperitoneal anastomoses are deep and are not visible at the umbilicus.
C. Paraumbilical veins with the superficial epigastric veins (correct)
Correct. Paraumbilical to epigastric flow produces caput medusae.
D. Superior rectal vein with the middle rectal vein
The superior and middle rectal link causes anorectal varices.

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 C, Paraumbilical veins with the superficial epigastric veins. Caput medusae is due to opening up of the paraumbilical veins, which accompany the ligamentum teres, connecting the left portal vein to the superficial epigastric veins of the abdominal wall.

Why is "Left gastric veins with the oesophageal veins" not the answer?

The left gastric and oesophageal link causes oesophageal varices.

Why is "Retroperitoneal veins with the lumbar veins" not the answer?

The retroperitoneal anastomoses are deep and are not visible at the umbilicus.

Why is "Superior rectal vein with the middle rectal vein" not the answer?

The superior and middle rectal link causes anorectal varices.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdomen and pelvis in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct. Paraumbilical to epigastric flow produces caput medusae.

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 Abdomen and pelvis?

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.