UPSC-CMS 2013 — Anatomy

Q: The commonest site for thyroglossal cyst is :

Subhyoid. ***Subhyoid (Infrahyoid)*** - The **subhyoid (infrahyoid) region** is the most common location for thyroglossal cysts, accounting for **50-65% of cases**. - The thyroglossal duct passes through or is intimately related to the **body of the hyoid bone** during embryonic descent of the thyroid gland from the foramen cecum [1], [2]. - Cysts most frequently form **at or just below the level of the hyoid bone** in the midline neck. - These cysts characteristically **move upward with swallowing and tongue protrusion** due to their attachment to the hyoid bone. *Suprahyoid* - Suprahyoid cysts occur **above the hyoid bone** and account for approximately **20-25% of cases**. - While common, they are **less frequent than subhyoid cysts**. - These may present higher in the neck but still maintain the characteristic midline location. *Submentum* - The submental region is **anterior and superior to the hyoid bone** in the midline. - Thyroglossal cysts in this location are **uncommon** as the duct's path runs more posteriorly in relation to this space. - True submental cysts are rare and must be differentiated from dermoid cysts. *Foramen caecum* - This is the **embryological origin** of the thyroglossal duct at the base of the tongue [1], [2]. - Cysts at this location are called **lingual thyroglossal cysts** and are very rare (1-2% of cases) [1]. - They present as tongue base masses and can cause dysphagia or airway obstruction. [Practice more Anatomy PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: All of the following cranial nerves pass through the jugular foramen except :

Hypoglossal. ***Hypoglossal*** - The **hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)** exits the skull through the **hypoglossal canal**, not the jugular foramen. - Its primary function is to innervate the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the **tongue**. *Vagus* - The **vagus nerve (CN X)** is one of the three cranial nerves that traverse the **jugular foramen**. - It has extensive innervation, including parasympathetic supply to the **heart, lungs, and most of the gastrointestinal tract**. *Glossopharyngeal* - The **glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)** exits the skull via the **jugular foramen**. - It is responsible for **taste sensation** from the posterior one-third of the tongue and motor innervation to the **stylopharyngeus muscle**. *Spinal accessory* - The **spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)** passes through the **jugular foramen** after entering the cranial cavity through the foramen magnum. - It innervate the **sternocleidomastoid** and **trapezius muscles**, responsible for head and shoulder movements. [Practice more Anatomy PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Which of the following ligaments contains splenic artery?

Spleno-renal ligament. ***Spleno-renal ligament*** - The **splenic artery**, a branch of the **celiac trunk**, runs along the **superior border of the pancreas** and then travels within the **spleno-renal (lienorenal) ligament** to reach the hilum of the spleen. - This ligament connects the **spleen to the left kidney** and also contains the **splenic vein** and the **tail of the pancreas** [1], . - The splenic artery is the primary vessel within this ligament. *Spleno-colic ligament* - This ligament connects the **spleen to the transverse colon** and does not contain the splenic artery [1], . - It primarily functions to stabilize the spleen's position relative to the colon. *Spleno-phrenic ligament* - This ligament connects the **spleen to the diaphragm** and is part of the suspensory ligaments of the spleen. - It does not contain major vessels like the splenic artery but may contain small accessory splenic vessels. *Gastro-splenic ligament* - This ligament connects the **spleen to the greater curvature of the stomach**. - It contains the **short gastric arteries** and the **left gastroepiploic vessels**, which are **branches of the splenic artery**, but not the main splenic artery itself [1], . [Practice more Anatomy PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Femoral hernias are more common in females because :

femoral canal is wide. ***femoral canal is wide*** - Females tend to have a **wider pelvis** to accommodate childbirth, which consequently leads to a proportionally wider and shorter femoral canal. - A wider femoral canal provides less structural support, making it easier for abdominal contents to herniate through the **femoral ring** [1]. *femoral canal is long* - The length of the femoral canal is not the primary factor influencing the predisposition to femoral hernias in females. - A longer canal might theoretically offer more resistance to herniation if its diameter were consistent. *ligaments of femoral canal neck are weak* - While ligamentous laxity can contribute to hernia formation, the primary anatomical reason for the increased incidence in females is the **wider canal**, not inherently weaker ligaments specific to the femoral canal neck. - The **inguinal ligament** forms the anterior boundary of the femoral ring, and its integrity is important, but its weakness isn't the direct cause of female predisposition. *weakness of posterior inguinal wall* - Weakness of the posterior inguinal wall is more directly associated with **direct inguinal hernias**, which are distinct from femoral hernias [1]. - Femoral hernias protrude below the inguinal ligament, through the femoral canal, rather than through the inguinal canal itself. [Practice more Anatomy PYQs on OnCourse]

4 Previous Year Questions with Answers & Explanations

Questions

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The commonest site for thyroglossal cyst is :

All of the following cranial nerves pass through the jugular foramen except :

Which of the following ligaments contains splenic artery?

Femoral hernias are more common in females because :

UPSC-CMS 2013 - Anatomy UPSC-CMS Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 1: The commonest site for thyroglossal cyst is :

A. Submentum
B. Subhyoid (Correct Answer)
C. Suprahyoid
D. Foramen caecum

Explanation: ***Subhyoid (Infrahyoid)*** - The **subhyoid (infrahyoid) region** is the most common location for thyroglossal cysts, accounting for **50-65% of cases**. - The thyroglossal duct passes through or is intimately related to the **body of the hyoid bone** during embryonic descent of the thyroid gland from the foramen cecum [1], [2]. - Cysts most frequently form **at or just below the level of the hyoid bone** in the midline neck. - These cysts characteristically **move upward with swallowing and tongue protrusion** due to their attachment to the hyoid bone. *Suprahyoid* - Suprahyoid cysts occur **above the hyoid bone** and account for approximately **20-25% of cases**. - While common, they are **less frequent than subhyoid cysts**. - These may present higher in the neck but still maintain the characteristic midline location. *Submentum* - The submental region is **anterior and superior to the hyoid bone** in the midline. - Thyroglossal cysts in this location are **uncommon** as the duct's path runs more posteriorly in relation to this space. - True submental cysts are rare and must be differentiated from dermoid cysts. *Foramen caecum* - This is the **embryological origin** of the thyroglossal duct at the base of the tongue [1], [2]. - Cysts at this location are called **lingual thyroglossal cysts** and are very rare (1-2% of cases) [1]. - They present as tongue base masses and can cause dysphagia or airway obstruction.

Question 2: All of the following cranial nerves pass through the jugular foramen except :

A. Vagus
B. Hypoglossal (Correct Answer)
C. Glossopharyngeal
D. Spinal accessory

Explanation: ***Hypoglossal*** - The **hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)** exits the skull through the **hypoglossal canal**, not the jugular foramen. - Its primary function is to innervate the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the **tongue**. *Vagus* - The **vagus nerve (CN X)** is one of the three cranial nerves that traverse the **jugular foramen**. - It has extensive innervation, including parasympathetic supply to the **heart, lungs, and most of the gastrointestinal tract**. *Glossopharyngeal* - The **glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)** exits the skull via the **jugular foramen**. - It is responsible for **taste sensation** from the posterior one-third of the tongue and motor innervation to the **stylopharyngeus muscle**. *Spinal accessory* - The **spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)** passes through the **jugular foramen** after entering the cranial cavity through the foramen magnum. - It innervate the **sternocleidomastoid** and **trapezius muscles**, responsible for head and shoulder movements.

Question 3: Which of the following ligaments contains splenic artery?

A. Spleno-colic ligament
B. Spleno-renal ligament (Correct Answer)
C. Spleno-phrenic ligament
D. Gastro-splenic ligament

Explanation: ***Spleno-renal ligament*** - The **splenic artery**, a branch of the **celiac trunk**, runs along the **superior border of the pancreas** and then travels within the **spleno-renal (lienorenal) ligament** to reach the hilum of the spleen. - This ligament connects the **spleen to the left kidney** and also contains the **splenic vein** and the **tail of the pancreas** [1], . - The splenic artery is the primary vessel within this ligament. *Spleno-colic ligament* - This ligament connects the **spleen to the transverse colon** and does not contain the splenic artery [1], . - It primarily functions to stabilize the spleen's position relative to the colon. *Spleno-phrenic ligament* - This ligament connects the **spleen to the diaphragm** and is part of the suspensory ligaments of the spleen. - It does not contain major vessels like the splenic artery but may contain small accessory splenic vessels. *Gastro-splenic ligament* - This ligament connects the **spleen to the greater curvature of the stomach**. - It contains the **short gastric arteries** and the **left gastroepiploic vessels**, which are **branches of the splenic artery**, but not the main splenic artery itself [1], .

Question 4: Femoral hernias are more common in females because :

A. femoral canal is long
B. femoral canal is wide (Correct Answer)
C. ligaments of femoral canal neck are weak
D. weakness of posterior inguinal wall

Explanation: ***femoral canal is wide*** - Females tend to have a **wider pelvis** to accommodate childbirth, which consequently leads to a proportionally wider and shorter femoral canal. - A wider femoral canal provides less structural support, making it easier for abdominal contents to herniate through the **femoral ring** [1]. *femoral canal is long* - The length of the femoral canal is not the primary factor influencing the predisposition to femoral hernias in females. - A longer canal might theoretically offer more resistance to herniation if its diameter were consistent. *ligaments of femoral canal neck are weak* - While ligamentous laxity can contribute to hernia formation, the primary anatomical reason for the increased incidence in females is the **wider canal**, not inherently weaker ligaments specific to the femoral canal neck. - The **inguinal ligament** forms the anterior boundary of the femoral ring, and its integrity is important, but its weakness isn't the direct cause of female predisposition. *weakness of posterior inguinal wall* - Weakness of the posterior inguinal wall is more directly associated with **direct inguinal hernias**, which are distinct from femoral hernias [1]. - Femoral hernias protrude below the inguinal ligament, through the femoral canal, rather than through the inguinal canal itself.