Surgical Anatomy & Approaches MCQs

A 55-year-old woman presents with the inability to extend her fingers and thumb at the metacarpophalangeal joints. Wrist extension is preserved but deviates radially. Electromyography confirms an entrapment neuropathy. Which of the following is the most likely site of compression?

During a deltopectoral approach to the shoulder, the coracoid process may be osteotomized for better exposure. Which nerve is most at risk if the conjoint tendon is forcefully retracted medially?

During a surgical approach to the proximal radius, the surgeon identifies the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN). The PIN passes between the two heads of which muscle?

During an ilioinguinal approach to the acetabulum, massive bleeding is encountered near the superior pubic ramus. This is most likely due to injury to the "corona mortis," which is an anastomosis between which two vascular systems?

A patient with an axillary nerve injury following a proximal humerus fracture will most likely show denervation in the deltoid and which other muscle?

During a distal femoral osteotomy, retractors are placed medially. Which nerve is at greatest risk of injury as it exits the adductor canal?

When performing an anterolateral approach to the distal humerus, the radial nerve is at risk. Between which two muscles is the radial nerve located as it crosses the lateral intermuscular septum in the distal third of the arm?

During an ilioinguinal approach for an anterior column acetabular fracture, significant hemorrhage occurs superior to the superior pubic ramus. This bleeding is most likely from an anastomosis (corona mortis) between which two vascular systems?

A patient develops weak shoulder abduction and external rotation following a posterior fracture-dislocation of the proximal humerus. The injured nerve exits the axilla through a space bounded superiorly by which structure?

A patient has deep gluteal pain radiating down the posterior thigh. The sciatic nerve normally exits the greater sciatic foramen inferior to the piriformis muscle. In a common anatomical variant, a portion of the nerve pierces the piriformis. Which portion typically pierces the muscle?

During an anterior ilioinguinal approach for an acetabular fracture, significant hemorrhage is encountered posterior to the superior pubic ramus. This bleeding is most likely originating from an anastomosis between which two vascular systems?

A patient presents with deep gluteal pain and posterior thigh paresthesias. An anatomical variation in the relationship between the sciatic nerve and the piriformis muscle is suspected. In the most common anatomical configuration, how does the sciatic nerve exit the pelvis?

During a Smith-Petersen anterior approach to the hip, the superficial internervous plane is utilized to access the joint safely. This plane is defined by muscles innervated by which of the following nerve pairs?

A patient presents with inability to actively extend the fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints following a proximal forearm fracture, though wrist extension is preserved but deviates radially. Which of the following muscles is typically spared in this specific nerve compression syndrome?

In a Latarjet procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability, the conjoint tendon is retracted medially. Excessive medial retraction places which of the following nerves at highest risk as it enters the deep surface of the coracobrachialis?

During the anterior (Henry) approach to the forearm, the surgeon must exploit a specific internervous plane to safely expose the radius. Which of the following correctly describes this proximal internervous plane?

The anterior (Smith-Petersen) approach to the hip provides excellent exposure for pelvic osteotomies and total hip arthroplasty. The superficial internervous plane for this approach utilizes which two muscles?

A posterior approach to the shoulder may place the axillary nerve at risk as it exits the quadrangular space. Which of the following structures forms the superior border of the quadrangular space?

During a posterolateral approach to the distal humerus, the radial nerve must be identified and protected. At approximately what distance proximal to the lateral epicondyle does the radial nerve pierce the lateral intermuscular septum?

The posterolateral (Kocher) approach to the elbow is frequently used for radial head fractures. This approach exploits an internervous plane between which two muscles?