Surgical Anatomy & Approaches MCQs

A surgeon is performing an anterior (Smith-Petersen) approach to the hip for a core decompression. To safely develop the internervous plane, the initial superficial dissection should proceed between muscles innervated by which two nerves?

When executing a posterior approach to the shoulder to address glenoid pathology, the surgeon splits the deltoid and then develops an internervous plane between the infraspinatus and teres minor. Which nerve provides motor innervation to the teres minor?

In the proximal portion of the volar (Henry) approach to the forearm, the internervous plane is developed between the brachioradialis and the pronator teres. Which critical nerve structure must be identified and protected as it courses deep to the brachioradialis in this region?

While performing an ilioinguinal approach for a complex anterior column acetabular fracture, massive hemorrhage occurs near the superior pubic ramus. This is most likely due to an inadvertent injury to an arterial anastomosis between which two vascular systems?

An anterior approach to the cubital fossa is performed to repair a distal biceps tendon rupture. Proximal dissection is carried out to expose the deep structures. The radial nerve is typically located between which two muscles in the proximal aspect of this exposure?

The anterolateral (Watson-Jones) approach to the hip is frequently used for hemiarthroplasty. This approach develops an intermuscular plane between which two muscles?

A 65-year-old female sustains a severely displaced surgical neck fracture of the proximal humerus. She exhibits weakness in shoulder abduction. The most likely injured nerve exits the axilla through which anatomical space?

In the anterior intrapelvic (modified Stoppa) approach for acetabular fracture fixation, dissection proceeds along the pelvic brim. Which nerve lies directly on the anterior surface of the obturator internus muscle and is highly vulnerable during placement of sub-pelvic retractors?

During an anterolateral approach to the distal third of the humerus, the brachialis muscle is split longitudinally. Which nerve innervates the lateral half of the split brachialis muscle?

A surgeon is performing a standard deltopectoral approach to the shoulder. Which of the following best describes the internervous plane utilized in this approach?

During an anterior (Smith-Petersen) approach to the hip, a superficial internervous plane is developed. Between which two muscles is this plane located?

A patient requires surgical excision of a tumor located within the quadrangular space of the shoulder. Which vascular structure normally accompanies the axillary nerve in this space?

During a volar Henry approach to the forearm for a radius fracture, the surgeon must mobilize the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) and brachioradialis. What represents the internervous plane for the proximal third of this approach?

During an ilioinguinal approach for an anterior column acetabular fracture, life-threatening hemorrhage occurs behind the superior pubic ramus. What vascular anomaly is the most likely source?

When performing a standard posterior approach to the hip (Kocher-Langenbeck), which structure is utilized to protect the sciatic nerve during deep retraction?

A patient presents with a severe knee dislocation. Post-reduction examination reveals intact plantar flexion and inversion, but isolated weakness in ankle dorsiflexion and eversion. Which nerve is injured?

A 55-year-old male undergoes open plating for a displaced midshaft humerus fracture. The radial nerve runs in the spiral groove of the humerus between which two muscle heads?

While performing a direct anterior approach to the hip, placement of a blunt retractor directly over the anterior rim of the acetabulum can inadvertently compress which nerve?

During the proximal extension of the anterior (Henry) approach to the radius, the surgeon identifies a leash of vessels that must be ligated to mobilize the mobile wad laterally. These vessels are direct branches of which of the following structures?

A surgeon is performing an ilioinguinal approach for an anterior column acetabular fracture. While working in the second (middle) window, which of the following structures is found immediately medial to the iliopectineal fascia?