Surgical Anatomy & Approaches MCQs

During a posterior (Kocher-Langenbeck) approach to the hip for a posterior wall acetabular fracture, the surgeon identifies the short external rotators. To avoid postoperative weakness in hip extension, an important nerve exiting the greater sciatic foramen immediately inferior to the piriformis muscle must be protected. What muscle does this nerve primarily supply?

During a standard deltopectoral approach for total shoulder arthroplasty, an inferior capsular release is performed to mobilize the proximal humerus. Which nerve is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury during this specific step?

In the operative management of a displaced distal radius fracture using a volar Henry approach, the surgeon dissects through an internervous plane. This plane is located between which two structures?

A surgeon utilizes the volar (Henry) approach to the forearm for fixation of a proximal radius fracture. The proximal internervous plane of this surgical approach lies between the brachioradialis and which other muscle?

During the harvest of a hamstring autograft for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, care must be taken to avoid injury to a cutaneous nerve that supplies sensation to the anteromedial aspect of the lower leg. This nerve is a direct terminal branch of which of the following nerves?

During an anterior (ilioinguinal) surgical approach to the pelvic ring for an acetabular fracture, life-threatening hemorrhage can occur if a vascular structure known as the 'corona mortis' is inadvertently lacerated. This vascular anomaly represents an anastomosis between which two vascular systems?

A 28-year-old male is involved in a motor vehicle collision and sustains a traumatic posterior dislocation of the right hip. Which specific nerve division is most frequently injured in association with this specific dislocation?

During a Latarjet procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability, which nerve is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury during coracoid osteotomy and mobilization?

A 38-year-old female sustains a Dubberley Type 3B capitellum fracture (involving the capitellum and trochlea with posterior condylar comminution). What surgical approach provides the most optimal exposure for fixation of the posterior comminution?

A 68-year-old female sustains a 3-part proximal humerus fracture. She demonstrates isolated weakness of the deltoid and decreased sensation over the lateral shoulder. Which structural pathway does the injured nerve traverse to innervate these areas?

A 34-year-old woman presents with a complex coronal shear fracture of the capitellum with extensive posterior comminution extending into the trochlea (Dubberley Type 3B). Which surgical approach provides the most optimal visualization for reduction and fixation of this articular extension?

A 30-year-old overhead laborer presents with vague posterior shoulder pain and numbness over the lateral deltoid. MRI shows isolated fatty infiltration and atrophy of the teres minor. Which vascular structure is most likely being compressed alongside the affected nerve?

A surgeon is utilizing the direct anterior approach (Smith-Petersen) for a total hip arthroplasty. The superficial surgical interval utilizes a true internervous plane. Which of the following identifies the correct muscles and their respective innervations that form this superficial plane?

During a primary THA utilizing a posterior approach, the surgeon places a retractor anteriorly, hooking it over the anterior acetabular rim to retract the soft tissues and improve visualization of the anterior labrum. Which nerve is most at risk of injury due to compression from this specific retractor?

During a direct anterior approach (Smith-Petersen) for a primary total hip arthroplasty, the surgeon develops the superficial internervous plane. Which two nerves supply the specific muscles that define the boundaries of this superficial plane?

The direct anterior (Smith-Petersen) approach is frequently utilized in modern primary total hip arthroplasty due to its intermuscular and internervous properties. Which of the following accurately describes the true internervous superficial surgical interval utilized in this approach?

A 28-year-old man sustains an anterior shoulder dislocation. Post-reduction, he has weakness in shoulder abduction and decreased sensation over the lateral deltoid. EMG confirms an isolated axillary nerve injury. Through which anatomical space does this nerve normally exit the axilla?

During the ilioinguinal approach for open reduction and internal fixation of an anterior column acetabular fracture, life-threatening hemorrhage occurs while dissecting along the posterior aspect of the superior pubic ramus. Which of the following vascular structures, which represents an anastomosis between the external iliac and obturator systems, is most likely injured?

During a total hip arthroplasty utilizing the direct anterior approach (DAA), the surgeon develops an internervous plane to access the hip joint capsule. This true internervous plane exists between muscles innervated by which of the following pairs of nerves?

A 35-year-old male presents with a transverse plus posterior wall acetabular fracture following a high-speed motor vehicle collision. The anterior displacement is minimal. Which surgical approach is most appropriate for definitive fixation?