Hernia and abdominal wall: corona mortis: 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 · Hernia and abdominal wall: corona mortis

Sample item

During dissection of Cooper's ligament in a laparoscopic hernia repair, brisk bleeding arises from a vessel crossing the superior pubic ramus that connects the external iliac or inferior epigastric system with the obturator system. What is this vessel called?

ACorona mortisBIliolumbar arteryCDeep circumflex iliac arteryDAccessory pudendal artery

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Corona mortis

The corona mortis is an anastomosis between the obturator and the inferior epigastric or external iliac vessels running over the superior pubic ramus. It is present in a large proportion of people and can bleed profusely if torn, so it must be sought before placing staples or dissecting at Cooper's ligament.

Option by option

A. Corona mortis (correct)
Correct. The corona mortis links the obturator and inferior epigastric or external iliac vessels over the pubic ramus.
B. Iliolumbar artery
The iliolumbar artery supplies the iliacus and psoas region and is not at the pubic ramus.
C. Deep circumflex iliac artery
The deep circumflex iliac artery runs along the iliac crest, lateral to the area of Cooper's ligament.
D. Accessory pudendal artery
An accessory pudendal artery arises from the internal iliac system and passes toward the perineum, not across the pubic ramus.

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 General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is A, Corona mortis. The corona mortis is an anastomosis between the obturator and the inferior epigastric or external iliac vessels running over the superior pubic ramus.

Why is "Iliolumbar artery" not the answer?

The iliolumbar artery supplies the iliacus and psoas region and is not at the pubic ramus.

Why is "Deep circumflex iliac artery" not the answer?

The deep circumflex iliac artery runs along the iliac crest, lateral to the area of Cooper's ligament.

Why is "Accessory pudendal artery" not the answer?

An accessory pudendal artery arises from the internal iliac system and passes toward the perineum, not across the pubic ramus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hernia and abdominal wall: corona mortis in General Surgery. It is present in a large proportion of people and can bleed profusely if torn, so it must be sought before placing staples or dissecting at Cooper's ligament.

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 Hernia and abdominal wall: corona mortis?

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.