Surgical Anatomy & Approaches MCQs

A 35-year-old overhead athlete presents with posterior shoulder pain and isolated weakness of the deltoid and teres minor. An MRI demonstrates isolated muscular atrophy and localized vascular compression in the posterior shoulder. This syndrome is caused by compression of structures within boundaries that include all of the following EXCEPT:

The Latarjet procedure involves the transfer of the coracoid process with the attached conjoint tendon to the anterior glenoid neck. Which nerve is most at risk during the transfer and retraction of the conjoint tendon?

During an anterior (Smith-Petersen) approach to the hip, the internervous plane between the sartorius and tensor fasciae latae is utilized. Which of the following nerves is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury during the superficial dissection?

In a posterior approach to the humerus, the radial nerve is identified crossing the posterior humerus. At what average distance proximal to the olecranon fossa does the radial nerve cross the posterior aspect of the humerus?

During the volar (Henry) approach to the radius, the surgeon dissects between the brachioradialis and the flexor carpi radialis. What is the internervous plane at the proximal portion of this exposure?

During a posterior approach to the humerus, the radial nerve is identified as it travels through the spiral groove. Which of the following vascular structures travels directly with the radial nerve in this location?

The sciatic nerve typically exits the greater sciatic foramen inferior to the piriformis muscle. In the most common anatomical variant (Beaton and Anson Type B), how does the sciatic nerve traverse the piriformis?

The radial nerve is formed as the terminal continuation of which cord(s) of the brachial plexus?

During the ilioinguinal approach to the acetabulum, severe hemorrhage is encountered while dissecting near the superior pubic ramus. Which of the following anatomical structures is most likely injured?

When placing screws in the acetabulum during total hip arthroplasty, drilling into the posterior-inferior quadrant places which of the following structures at highest risk?

A 24-year-old male undergoes open reduction and internal fixation of a posterior wall acetabular fracture via a Kocher-Langenbeck approach. Retraction of the sciatic nerve is required. Which portion of the sciatic nerve is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury, and what clinical deficit would be observed?

A patient undergoes an ilioinguinal approach for an anterior column acetabular fracture. The surgeon is working in the middle window of this approach. Which of the following structures dictates the medial boundary of this specific window?

An orthopaedic surgeon is using the anterior (Smith-Petersen) approach to the hip. What is the true internervous plane utilized in the superficial dissection of this approach?

During an anterior intrapelvic (Stoppa) approach to the acetabulum, brisk arterial bleeding is encountered while dissecting over the superior pubic ramus near the symphysis. This is most likely due to an injury to an anastomosis between which two vascular systems (Corona Mortis)?

A 35-year-old female experiences numbness and tingling in the anterolateral aspect of her thigh after prolonged wearing of a tight utility belt. Compression of which nerve is the most likely cause, and where does it typically exit the pelvis?

A patient sustains a pelvic fracture involving the greater sciatic notch. Which of the following structures exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen but superior to the piriformis muscle?

The obturator nerve provides motor innervation to the adductor compartment of the thigh. If the nerve is completely transected within the obturator canal, which muscle in the medial compartment will retain partial innervation?

Which of the following landmarks serves as the primary anatomic reference for the inferior limit of the superficial interval in the Watson-Jones (anterolateral) approach to the hip?

A patient undergoes a pelvic osteotomy and develops persistent weakness in hip external rotation. The surgeon suspects injury to the nerve to the quadratus femoris. This nerve typically leaves the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen and runs deep to which of the following structures?

A patient undergoes an anterior pelvic ring fixation via an ilioinguinal approach. During dissection along the superior pubic ramus, brisk bleeding occurs. This is most likely due to injury of an anastomosis between which two vascular systems?