Root of Neck in Human Anatomy MCQ Questions and Answers

1. The root of the neck is defined as the junction between:
A) Head and neck
B) Neck and thorax
C) Neck and thoracic cavity
D) Upper limb and thorax
Answer: C

2. The roof of the root of the neck is formed by:
A) Cervical pleura
B) Suprapleural membrane (Sibson’s fascia)
C) Scalenus anterior
D) Sternocleidomastoid
Answer: B

3. The inferior boundary of the root of the neck is:
A) Lower border of mandible
B) Upper border of thyroid cartilage
C) Superior thoracic aperture
D) Clavicle
Answer: C

4. The root of the neck contains which of the following major arteries?
A) Common carotid artery
B) Subclavian artery
C) Internal carotid artery
D) Superior thyroid artery
Answer: B

5. The subclavian vein lies in relation to the scalenus anterior as:
A) Anterior to the muscle
B) Posterior to the muscle
C) Deep to the muscle
D) Between scalenus anterior and medius
Answer: A

6. The subclavian artery is divided into three parts by the:
A) Sternocleidomastoid
B) Scalenus anterior
C) Scalenus medius
D) Omohyoid
Answer: B

7. Which of the following is a branch of the first part of the subclavian artery?
A) Transverse cervical artery
B) Vertebral artery
C) Dorsal scapular artery
D) Superior thoracic artery
Answer: B

8. The thyrocervical trunk arises from:
A) Second part of subclavian artery
B) First part of subclavian artery
C) Third part of subclavian artery
D) Vertebral artery
Answer: B

9. The internal thoracic artery is a branch of:
A) First part of subclavian artery
B) Second part of subclavian artery
C) Third part of subclavian artery
D) Thyrocervical trunk
Answer: A

10. The costocervical trunk most commonly arises from:
A) First part of subclavian artery
B) Second part of subclavian artery
C) Third part of subclavian artery
D) Vertebral artery
Answer: B

11. The vertebral artery enters the transverse foramen of which cervical vertebra?
A) C7
B) C6
C) C5
D) C4
Answer: B

12. The vertebral artery supplies the:
A) Thyroid gland
B) Scalp
C) Brainstem and cerebellum
D) Tongue
Answer: C

13. The inferior thyroid artery arises from:
A) Thyrocervical trunk
B) Internal thoracic artery
C) Costocervical trunk
D) External carotid artery
Answer: A

14. The ascending cervical artery is a branch of:
A) Vertebral artery
B) Inferior thyroid artery
C) Costocervical trunk
D) Dorsal scapular artery
Answer: B

15. The transverse cervical artery supplies the:
A) Rhomboids
B) Trapezius muscle
C) Sternocleidomastoid
D) Levator scapulae only
Answer: B

16. The suprascapular artery passes over which ligament?
A) Superior transverse scapular ligament
B) Coracoacromial ligament
C) Inferior transverse scapular ligament
D) Glenohumeral ligament
Answer: A

17. The dorsal scapular artery, when present, usually arises from:
A) First part of subclavian artery
B) Second part of subclavian artery
C) Third part of subclavian artery
D) Thyrocervical trunk
Answer: C

18. The thoracic duct opens into:
A) Right subclavian and right internal jugular junction
B) Left subclavian and left internal jugular junction
C) Right brachiocephalic vein
D) Azygos vein
Answer: B

19. The right lymphatic duct drains lymph from:
A) Right upper limb, right thorax, right side of head and neck
B) Entire body
C) Right lower limb only
D) Left thorax
Answer: A

20. The apex of the lung extends into the root of the neck:
A) Above the first rib and clavicle
B) Below the first rib
C) Into the thoracic cavity
D) Up to C3 vertebra
Answer: A

21. The cervical pleura projects about how much above the medial third of the clavicle?
A) 1 cm
B) 3 cm
C) 2.5 cm
D) 5 cm
Answer: C

22. Sibson’s fascia is:
A) Fascia covering thyroid gland
B) Suprapleural membrane
C) Deep cervical fascia
D) Fascia of sternocleidomastoid
Answer: B

23. The phrenic nerve crosses which muscle in the root of the neck?
A) Scalenus anterior
B) Scalenus medius
C) Sternocleidomastoid
D) Omohyoid
Answer: A

24. The phrenic nerve in the neck lies anterior to:
A) Subclavian artery
B) Subclavian vein
C) Internal jugular vein
D) Brachial plexus trunks
Answer: A

25. The vagus nerve lies in the carotid sheath along with:
A) Common carotid artery and internal jugular vein
B) External jugular vein and subclavian artery
C) Phrenic and sympathetic nerves
D) Vertebral vein and thyroid vein
Answer: A

26. The recurrent laryngeal nerve on the right hooks around:
A) Subclavian artery
B) Arch of aorta
C) Thyrocervical trunk
D) Vertebral artery
Answer: A

27. The left recurrent laryngeal nerve hooks around:
A) Subclavian artery
B) Arch of aorta (near ligamentum arteriosum)
C) Common carotid artery
D) Pulmonary trunk
Answer: B

28. The sympathetic trunk lies:
A) Posterior to the carotid sheath
B) Anterior to the thyroid gland
C) Lateral to the scalenus anterior
D) Between carotid arteries
Answer: A

29. The inferior cervical ganglion often fuses with the first thoracic ganglion to form:
A) Stellate ganglion
B) Superior cervical ganglion
C) Middle cervical ganglion
D) Jugular ganglion
Answer: A

30. Injury to the stellate ganglion may result in:
A) Vocal cord paralysis
B) Horner’s syndrome
C) Diaphragmatic paralysis
D) Anhidrosis of lower limb
Answer: B

31. The middle cervical ganglion is related to which artery?
A) Common carotid artery
B) Inferior thyroid artery
C) Vertebral artery
D) Internal carotid artery
Answer: B

32. The inferior thyroid veins drain into:
A) External jugular vein
B) Brachiocephalic veins
C) Internal jugular vein
D) Vertebral vein
Answer: B

33. The anterior scalene muscle originates from:
A) Transverse processes of C1–C3
B) Transverse processes of C3–C6
C) Vertebral body of C6
D) C2 spinous process
Answer: B

34. The scalenus anterior inserts into:
A) Second rib
B) Clavicle
C) Scalene tubercle of first rib
D) Transverse process of C7
Answer: C

35. The scalenus medius inserts into:
A) Upper surface of first rib posterior to subclavian groove
B) Scalene tubercle
C) Second rib
D) Clavicle
Answer: A

36. The scalenus posterior inserts into:
A) First rib
B) Second rib
C) Third rib
D) Clavicle
Answer: B

37. Between scalenus anterior and medius pass:
A) Brachial plexus and subclavian artery
B) Subclavian vein
C) Internal jugular vein
D) Phrenic nerve
Answer: A

38. The cervical rib is a supernumerary rib arising from:
A) C5
B) C6
C) C7
D) T1
Answer: C

39. A cervical rib may compress:
A) Subclavian artery and lower trunk of brachial plexus
B) Subclavian vein
C) Internal jugular vein
D) Phrenic nerve
Answer: A

40. Compression of structures in the root of the neck leads to:
A) Costochondritis
B) Thoracic outlet syndrome
C) Brachial neuritis
D) Bell’s palsy
Answer: B

41. The subclavian vein is separated from the subclavian artery by:
A) Scalenus anterior muscle
B) Scalenus medius
C) Brachial plexus
D) Thoracic duct
Answer: A

42. The thoracic duct lies in relation to the subclavian artery as:
A) Anterior
B) Posterior
C) Lateral
D) Superior
Answer: B

43. The apex of the pleura is reinforced by:
A) Prevertebral fascia
B) Sibson’s fascia (suprapleural membrane)
C) Investing layer of deep cervical fascia
D) Carotid sheath
Answer: B

44. The vertebral vein drains into:
A) External jugular vein
B) Brachiocephalic vein
C) Subclavian vein
D) Internal jugular vein
Answer: B

45. The inferior cervical sympathetic ganglion lies posterior to:
A) Common carotid artery
B) Internal jugular vein
C) Vertebral artery
D) Subclavian vein
Answer: C

46. The inferior thyroid artery passes posterior to:
A) Common carotid artery
B) Sympathetic trunk
C) Carotid sheath
D) Recurrent laryngeal nerve
Answer: C

47. The recurrent laryngeal nerve passes in relation to the inferior thyroid artery as:
A) Always anterior
B) Always posterior
C) Variable (anterior, posterior, or between branches)
D) Between carotid arteries
Answer: C

48. The inferior thyroid artery supplies:
A) Thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, and larynx
B) Only thyroid gland
C) Only trachea
D) Only esophagus
Answer: A

49. The vertebral artery is divided into how many parts?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5
Answer: C

50. The first part of the vertebral artery lies:
A) Between subclavian artery and C6 transverse process
B) In foramen transversarium
C) Inside the cranial cavity
D) In posterior cranial fossa
Answer: A

51. The second part of the vertebral artery lies:
A) On longus colli
B) Within transverse foramina of C6–C1 vertebrae
C) In suboccipital triangle
D) Within cranial cavity
Answer: B

52. The third part of the vertebral artery lies:
A) In the carotid sheath
B) In the suboccipital triangle
C) Within transverse foramina
D) In foramen magnum
Answer: B

53. The fourth part of the vertebral artery lies:
A) In the neck
B) Between scalenus muscles
C) Inside the cranial cavity before forming the basilar artery
D) In vertebral canal
Answer: C

54. The vertebral arteries unite to form:
A) Internal carotid artery
B) Basilar artery
C) Middle cerebral artery
D) Posterior cerebral artery
Answer: B

55. The costocervical trunk divides into:
A) Deep cervical and superior intercostal arteries
B) Transverse cervical and suprascapular arteries
C) Inferior thyroid and ascending cervical arteries
D) Dorsal scapular and transverse cervical arteries
Answer: A

56. The superior intercostal artery supplies:
A) 1st and 2nd anterior intercostal spaces
B) 1st and 2nd posterior intercostal spaces
C) 3rd and 4th posterior intercostal spaces
D) 1st and 2nd ribs only
Answer: B

57. The deep cervical artery supplies:
A) Trapezius
B) Sternocleidomastoid
C) Semispinalis capitis and deep neck muscles
D) Thyroid gland
Answer: C

58. The inferior cervical ganglion lies opposite which vertebra?
A) C4
B) C5
C) C6
D) C7
Answer: D

59. The superior cervical ganglion lies opposite which vertebrae?
A) C1–C3
B) C2–C4
C) C3–C5
D) C4–C6
Answer: A

60. The middle cervical ganglion is usually located at the level of:
A) C2
B) C4
C) C6
D) C7
Answer: C

61. Postganglionic fibers from the middle cervical ganglion supply:
A) Lungs and bronchi
B) Pharynx
C) Heart (cardiac branches)
D) Parotid gland
Answer: C

62. The inferior cardiac nerve arises from:
A) Vagus nerve
B) Stellate ganglion
C) Phrenic nerve
D) Middle cervical ganglion
Answer: B

63. The subclavian steal syndrome occurs due to:
A) Occlusion of subclavian artery proximal to vertebral artery origin
B) Compression of brachial plexus
C) Aneurysm of vertebral artery
D) Obstruction of internal thoracic artery
Answer: A

64. In subclavian steal syndrome, blood flows:
A) Retrograde through vertebral artery
B) Retrograde through internal thoracic artery
C) Forward through costocervical trunk
D) From external carotid to subclavian
Answer: A

65. The scalenus anterior muscle is innervated by:
A) Ventral rami of C4–C6
B) Dorsal rami of C5–C7
C) Phrenic nerve
D) Cervical sympathetic
Answer: A

66. The scalenus medius is innervated by:
A) Dorsal scapular nerve
B) Ventral rami of C3–C8
C) Spinal accessory nerve
D) C1 only
Answer: B

67. The subclavian vein begins at the outer border of:
A) First rib
B) Clavicle
C) Sternum
D) Scalenus anterior
Answer: A

68. The subclavian vein joins the internal jugular vein to form the:
A) Superior vena cava
B) Brachiocephalic vein
C) Thoracic duct
D) Azygos vein
Answer: B

69. The external jugular vein drains into:
A) Internal jugular vein
B) Subclavian vein
C) Brachiocephalic vein
D) Vertebral vein
Answer: B

70. The inferior thyroid veins drain into:
A) Internal jugular vein
B) Left and right brachiocephalic veins
C) Superior vena cava
D) External jugular vein
Answer: B

71. The longus colli muscle lies:
A) Anterior to cervical vertebral bodies
B) Between scalene muscles
C) Posterior to sympathetic trunk
D) Posterior to prevertebral fascia
Answer: A

72. The prevertebral fascia encloses:
A) Scalenes, longus colli, longus capitis
B) Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius
C) Infrahyoid muscles
D) Carotid sheath contents
Answer: A

73. The cervical pleura extends into the neck up to which vertebral level?
A) C4
B) C5
C) C7
D) T1
Answer: C

74. The suprapleural membrane is attached laterally to:
A) Transverse process of C6
B) Inner border of first rib and its costal cartilage
C) Second rib
D) Clavicle
Answer: B

75. The suprapleural membrane is thickened by fibers of:
A) Scalenus minimus
B) Longus colli
C) Scalenus medius
D) Sternohyoid
Answer: A

76. Scalenus minimus, when present, may compress:
A) Subclavian artery and lower trunk of brachial plexus
B) Phrenic nerve
C) Subclavian vein
D) Vagus nerve
Answer: A

77. The dome of pleura and apex of lung are crossed anteriorly by:
A) Subclavian vein and internal jugular vein
B) Subclavian artery and vagus nerve
C) Sympathetic trunk
D) Thyrocervical trunk
Answer: A

78. The cervical dome (cupola) of pleura is pierced by:
A) Internal thoracic artery
B) No major structures—covered by Sibson’s fascia
C) Subclavian vein
D) Thoracic duct
Answer: B

79. The root of the neck transmits which nerves into the thorax?
A) Glossopharyngeal nerve
B) Vagus and phrenic nerves
C) Accessory nerve
D) Hypoglossal nerve
Answer: B

80. The thoracic outlet syndrome is due to:
A) Compression of neurovascular bundle between scalene muscles or by a cervical rib
B) Herniation of pleura
C) Injury to sympathetic trunk
D) Phrenic nerve palsy
Answer: A

81. A cervical rib commonly causes symptoms in:
A) Upper back
B) Upper limb (ulnar nerve distribution)
C) Lower limb
D) Face and neck
Answer: B

82. The first part of the subclavian artery gives off how many branches?
A) Three
B) Four
C) Two
D) One
Answer: A

83. The second part of the subclavian artery gives off:
A) Two branches
B) One branch (costocervical trunk)
C) Three branches
D) No branch
Answer: B

84. The third part of the subclavian artery gives off:
A) No branch
B) Costocervical trunk
C) Dorsal scapular artery (if present)
D) Suprascapular artery
Answer: C

85. The first part of subclavian artery lies between:
A) Sternocleidomastoid and scalenus anterior
B) Origin and medial border of scalenus anterior
C) Scalenus anterior and medius
D) Lateral border of scalenus anterior and first rib
Answer: B

86. The subclavian vein is a continuation of:
A) Axillary vein
B) Cephalic vein
C) Basilic vein
D) Internal jugular vein
Answer: A

87. The subclavian vein joins the internal jugular vein posterior to:
A) Sternum
B) Sternal end of clavicle
C) First rib
D) Manubrium
Answer: B

88. The vagus nerve gives off which important branch in the root of the neck?
A) Glossopharyngeal branch
B) Recurrent laryngeal nerve
C) Superior laryngeal nerve
D) Auricular branch
Answer: B

89. The left recurrent laryngeal nerve hooks around which structure?
A) Right subclavian artery
B) Arch of aorta (near ligamentum arteriosum)
C) Left subclavian artery
D) Pulmonary trunk
Answer: B

90. The right recurrent laryngeal nerve hooks around which structure?
A) Right subclavian artery
B) Arch of aorta
C) Pulmonary trunk
D) Common carotid artery
Answer: A

91. The thoracic duct in the neck lies:
A) Anterior to the carotid sheath
B) Posterior to the carotid sheath
C) Lateral to the scalenus anterior
D) Within the carotid sheath
Answer: B

92. The apex of the lung is related posteriorly to which structure?
A) Trapezius
B) Neck of first rib
C) Scalenus anterior
D) Clavicle
Answer: B

93. The brachial plexus roots emerge between:
A) Scalenus anterior and medius
B) Scalenus medius and posterior
C) Longus colli and scalenus anterior
D) Clavicle and first rib
Answer: A

94. The prevertebral fascia blends laterally with:
A) Axillary sheath
B) Carotid sheath
C) Investing fascia
D) Endothoracic fascia
Answer: A

95. The investing layer of deep cervical fascia splits to enclose:
A) Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius
B) Infrahyoid muscles
C) Scalenes
D) Thyroid gland
Answer: A

96. The vertebral artery passes posterior to which structure in the root of the neck?
A) Common carotid artery
B) Subclavian vein
C) Phrenic nerve
D) Sympathetic trunk
Answer: A

97. The subclavian vein is separated from the pleura by:
A) Suprapleural membrane
B) Endothoracic fascia
C) Pretracheal fascia
D) Carotid sheath
Answer: A

98. The inferior thyroid veins form a plexus in front of:
A) Trachea
B) Esophagus
C) Thyroid cartilage
D) Sternum
Answer: A

99. The scalene triangle transmits:
A) Subclavian vein and brachial plexus
B) Subclavian artery and brachial plexus
C) Subclavian vein only
D) Phrenic nerve and subclavian vein
Answer: B

100. A lesion involving the lower trunk of brachial plexus in the root of the neck produces:
A) Klumpke’s paralysis
B) Erb’s palsy
C) Horner’s syndrome
D) Bell’s palsy
Answer: A