Airway anatomy, equipment, and airway management: curriculum recognition: practice question

A Anaesthesia 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

Anaesthesia · Airway anatomy, equipment, and airway management: curriculum recognition

Sample item

In a supine adult, which surface landmark lies at the level where the trachea divides into the two main bronchi?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Sternal angle

The trachea bifurcates at the carina at about the level of the sternal angle (T4-T5), which also marks the second costal cartilage. This helps judge the depth of a tracheal tube. The trachea begins at the lower border of the cricoid at C6.

Option by option

  • A. Lower border of the cricoid cartilage

    The lower border of the cricoid marks the start of the trachea at C6.

  • B. Xiphisternal joint

    The xiphisternal joint lies at about T9, far below the carina.

  • C. Jugular notch

    The jugular notch lies at about T2-T3, well above the carina.

  • D. Sternal angle (correct)

    Correct. The carina lies at the level of the sternal angle.

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 Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is D, Sternal angle. The trachea bifurcates at the carina at about the level of the sternal angle (T4-T5), which also marks the second costal cartilage.

Why is "Lower border of the cricoid cartilage" not the answer?

The lower border of the cricoid marks the start of the trachea at C6.

Why is "Xiphisternal joint" not the answer?

The xiphisternal joint lies at about T9, far below the carina.

Why is "Jugular notch" not the answer?

The jugular notch lies at about T2-T3, well above the carina.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway anatomy, equipment, and airway management: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. This helps judge the depth of a tracheal tube. The trachea begins at the lower border of the cricoid at C6.

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 Airway anatomy, equipment, and airway management: curriculum recognition?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia 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.