Surgical Anatomy & Approaches MCQs

Following a retroperitoneal hematoma, a patient presents with weak knee extension, weak hip flexion, and an absent patellar reflex. Sensation is decreased over the anterior thigh and medial lower leg. Which nerve is affected, and from which nerve roots does it arise?

During a lateral surgical approach for an Achilles tendon repair, the surgeon carefully dissects to avoid nerve injury. The sural nerve is typically formed by the convergence of the medial sural cutaneous nerve and a communicating branch from which nerve?

A surgeon utilizes the volar (Henry) approach to internally fix a distal radius fracture. During the deep dissection in the distal third of the forearm, the interval is developed between the brachioradialis and the flexor carpi radialis (FCR). Where should the radial artery be safely retracted?

During the anterior (Smith-Petersen) approach to the hip, the superficial interval is between the sartorius and the tensor fasciae latae. In the deep interval, a muscle is retracted medially. Which nerve provides the primary innervation to this medially retracted muscle?

When performing a deltoid-splitting approach to the proximal humerus, the surgeon must be mindful of the axillary nerve traversing the deep surface of the muscle. What is the generally accepted safe distance from the lateral tip of the acromion to avoid injury to the axillary nerve?

During an ilioinguinal approach for an acetabular fracture, significant hemorrhage occurs while dissecting the posterior aspect of the superior pubic ramus. This is most likely due to an injury of the 'corona mortis', which is an anastomosis between the obturator vessels and which of the following?

A plastic surgeon harvests a vascularized free fibula flap using a direct lateral approach. The internervous plane developed for this exposure lies between the peroneal muscles and the soleus. Which two nerves supply the muscles defining this plane?

During the anterior (Henry) approach to the proximal radius, which internervous plane is utilized?

In the Smith-Petersen approach to the hip, what represents the true internervous plane?

A posterior approach to the shoulder is performed. To avoid injury to the axillary nerve, the surgeon must be aware of its course through the quadrangular space. Which of the following forms the inferior border of this space?

A 28-year-old professional baseball pitcher presents with vague right posterior shoulder pain and progressive weakness in external rotation. MRI reveals isolated atrophy of the teres minor muscle with a paralabral cyst in the anatomic space transmitting the axillary nerve. Which of the following structures forms the superior border of this specific anatomic space?

During the ilioinguinal approach for open reduction and internal fixation of an anterior column acetabular fracture, brisk arterial bleeding is encountered superior to the superior pubic ramus. This hemorrhage is most likely originating from an anatomic variant vascular connection between the obturator vessels and which of the following?

A spine surgeon is utilizing a lateral transpsoas approach to perform an interbody fusion at L4-L5. Postoperatively, the patient has profound weakness in hip flexion and knee extension, alongside anterior thigh numbness. Which neural structure was most likely injured or compressed during retraction of the posterior third of the psoas muscle?

Hypertrophy of the teres minor and the long head of the triceps brachii can lead to nerve compression within the quadrangular space. Which of the following clinical findings would most likely be observed in this scenario?

During an ilioinguinal approach to the acetabulum, massive bleeding is encountered posterior to the superior pubic ramus. This bleeding is most likely originating from the 'corona mortis', which represents an anastomosis between which two vascular systems?

During an anterolateral approach to the distal tibia, a nerve is at risk of being injured where it transitions from deep to subcutaneous tissue. At what location does the superficial peroneal nerve typically pierce the deep crural fascia?

The volar approach to the proximal forearm (Henry approach) utilizes a safe internervous plane. Which of the following pairs of nerves supplies the two muscles that define this plane?

While performing a lateral (Hardinge) approach to the hip, the surgeon must limit the proximal splitting of the gluteus medius muscle to no more than 3 to 5 cm above the greater trochanter. This precaution primarily protects which of the following structures?

During an ilioinguinal approach to the acetabulum, brisk bleeding is encountered just posterior to the superior pubic ramus. This bleeding is most likely originating from an anastomosis between which two vessels?

Which of the following nerves exits the adductor (Hunter's) canal by piercing the vastoadductor fascia?