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Thrombosis and Embolism Quiz
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Which anatomical location is the most common site for thrombus formation in deep vein thrombosis?
- A Superficial veins of the forearm You picked ✕
- B Coronary arteries supplying the myocardium You picked ✕
- C Cerebral venous sinuses You picked ✕
- D Deep veins of the legs You picked ✓
- E Portal vein draining the gastrointestinal tract You picked ✕
Correct!
Incorrect
The answer is D: Deep veins of the legs
Explanation
Why D is correct
See Thrombosis. Option D is correct. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot (thrombus) in a deep vein, and it occurs most commonly in the deep veins of the legs, in the calf, thigh or pelvis. Blood in the leg veins has to travel upwards against gravity, and it is pushed along mainly when the leg muscles contract. When a person is immobile, for example on a long journey or after surgery, venous return slows and blood pools. This is called stasis, and it is one arm of Virchow's triad (slow flow, damage to the vessel lining and blood that clots too readily). A clot that breaks off from a leg vein can travel to the lungs as a pulmonary embolism, which is why DVT matters. A memory aid: deep vein, deep in the leg, where the muscle pump is weakest when you sit still.
- Site: a clot in the deep veins of the leg, in the calf, thigh or pelvis
- Cause here: immobility slows venous return, so blood pools (stasis)
- Virchow's triad: stasis is one arm, alongside vessel wall damage and blood that clots too readily
- Danger: a clot that breaks off can reach the lungs as a pulmonary embolism
Why the other options are incorrect
- A. Superficial veins of the forearm: Clots in superficial forearm veins cause superficial thrombophlebitis, a painful inflamed cord under the skin. They are not the usual site of deep vein thrombosis, which by definition involves the deep veins. Your answer
- B. Coronary arteries supplying the myocardium: Thrombus in the coronary arteries is arterial thrombosis and causes a heart attack. It forms by a different mechanism, usually on a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque, and is not deep vein thrombosis. Your answer
- C. Cerebral venous sinuses: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is rare and has its own risk factors, such as pregnancy or infection. It is not the typical site of deep vein thrombosis. Your answer
- E. Portal vein draining the gastrointestinal tract: Portal vein thrombosis is uncommon and is linked to liver disease or abdominal problems. It is a venous clot but it is not the typical site of deep vein thrombosis. Your answer
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More questions from this set. Start the quiz to answer them and see each explanation.
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1
Which set of factors together constitutes Virchow’s triad in the development of thrombosis?
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2
A clot forms in the deep veins of the leg and later causes sudden breathlessness when it lodges in the pulmonary circulation. Which principle best explains why this embolus becomes trapped in the lungs rather than passing through to the systemic circulation?
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