Nose: arterial supply and epistaxis: 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 · Nose: arterial supply and epistaxis

Sample item

A 66-year-old hypertensive man has heavy nosebleeding, mainly flowing into the throat. Anterior nasal packing fails and endoscopy shows bleeding from the posterior nasal cavity. Which artery is the most likely source and surgical target?

ASphenopalatine arteryBAngular arteryCAnterior ethmoidal arteryDSeptal branch of the superior labial artery

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Sphenopalatine artery

The sphenopalatine artery, a terminal branch of the maxillary artery, enters the nose through the sphenopalatine foramen and supplies most of the lateral wall and septum posteriorly. It is the usual source of severe posterior epistaxis, treated by endoscopic ligation or cautery. The anterior septum (Little area) is supplied by an anastomosis that includes the anterior ethmoidal and superior labial branches.

Option by option

A. Sphenopalatine artery (correct)
Correct. This is the main artery of the posterior nasal cavity and the usual target in refractory posterior bleeding.
B. Angular artery
The angular artery is the terminal branch of the facial artery at the medial canthus.
C. Anterior ethmoidal artery
The anterior ethmoidal artery supplies the anterosuperior nose and contributes to the anterior septum.
D. Septal branch of the superior labial artery
The septal branch of the superior labial artery joins the anterior septal 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.

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is A, Sphenopalatine artery. The sphenopalatine artery, a terminal branch of the maxillary artery, enters the nose through the sphenopalatine foramen and supplies most of the lateral wall and septum posteriorly.

Why is "Angular artery" not the answer?

The angular artery is the terminal branch of the facial artery at the medial canthus.

Why is "Anterior ethmoidal artery" not the answer?

The anterior ethmoidal artery supplies the anterosuperior nose and contributes to the anterior septum.

Why is "Septal branch of the superior labial artery" not the answer?

The septal branch of the superior labial artery joins the anterior septal plexus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose: arterial supply and epistaxis in Anatomy. It is the usual source of severe posterior epistaxis, treated by endoscopic ligation or cautery. The anterior septum (Little area) is supplied by an anastomosis that includes the anterior ethmoidal and superior labial branches.

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 Nose: arterial supply and epistaxis?

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.