Head and neck: 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 · Head and neck

Sample item

A child has recurrent bleeding from the front of the nasal septum. Which arterial anastomosis in the anterior septum is the likely source?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Kiesselbach plexus

Kiesselbach plexus in Little's area joins the anterior ethmoidal, sphenopalatine, greater palatine and septal branch of the superior labial arteries. Posterior bleeds come from the Woodruff plexus under the inferior turbinate.

Option by option

  • A. Anterior ethmoidal artery alone

    The anterior ethmoidal artery is only one contributor to the plexus, not the anastomosis itself.

  • B. Pterygoid venous plexus

    The pterygoid plexus is a venous network in the infratemporal fossa and does not supply the septum.

  • C. Woodruff plexus

    Woodruff plexus lies posteriorly and causes posterior epistaxis.

  • D. Kiesselbach plexus (correct)

    Correct. Little's area contains Kiesselbach plexus.

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 Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Kiesselbach plexus. Kiesselbach plexus in Little's area joins the anterior ethmoidal, sphenopalatine, greater palatine and septal branch of the superior labial arteries.

Why is "Anterior ethmoidal artery alone" not the answer?

The anterior ethmoidal artery is only one contributor to the plexus, not the anastomosis itself.

Why is "Pterygoid venous plexus" not the answer?

The pterygoid plexus is a venous network in the infratemporal fossa and does not supply the septum.

Why is "Woodruff plexus" not the answer?

Woodruff plexus lies posteriorly and causes posterior epistaxis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck in Anatomy. Posterior bleeds come from the Woodruff plexus under the inferior turbinate.

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?

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.