1. General Principles & Basic Science MCQs

During a posterolateral approach to the ankle for fixation of a posterior malleolar fracture, the internervous plane is developed between the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and the peroneal muscles. Which nerve is at greatest risk during the superficial dissection of this approach?

During the anterior (Smith-Petersen) approach to the hip, an internervous plane is utilized. Which of the following describes the correct muscular interval and their respective innervations?

During a posterior approach to the humerus, the radial nerve is identified. It passes from the posterior compartment to the anterior compartment through the lateral intermuscular septum. At what average distance proximal to the lateral epicondyle does this occur?

During an ilioinguinal approach for an acetabular fracture, significant hemorrhage occurs while dissecting near the superior pubic ramus. This is most likely due to an injury of an anastomotic vessel connecting which two vascular systems?

When extending the anterolateral approach to the distal tibia, which of the following neurologic structures is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury as it crosses the surgical field?

The volar (Henry) approach to the radius utilizes an internervous plane. Proximally, this plane is found between which of the following two muscles?

Placement of an anterior shoulder arthroscopy portal typically requires passing lateral to the coracoid process. If the portal is placed medially to the coracoid by mistake, which structure is at greatest immediate risk of injury?

The anterolateral (Watson-Jones) approach to the hip joint utilizes the interval between the gluteus medius and the tensor fasciae latae. Since both are innervated by the superior gluteal nerve, what anatomical characteristic makes this approach viable?

To safely expose the anterior L4-L5 disc space during an anterior retroperitoneal approach, which of the following vascular structures typically requires ligation and division to allow mobilization of the common iliac vessels?

When performing a volar Henry approach to the proximal radius, which structure must be ligated to safely mobilize the brachioradialis laterally and the pronator teres medially?

During an ilioinguinal approach to the acetabulum, the surgeon encounters bleeding from the 'corona mortis.' This vascular structure represents an anastomosis between which two vascular systems?

A patient is undergoing arthroscopic medial meniscus repair using an inside-out technique. Which anatomic structure is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury when passing sutures through the posterior horn?

During a direct anterior approach (Smith-Petersen) for total hip arthroplasty, the superficial internervous plane is developed between which two muscles?

In an adult patient, which vessel provides the primary blood supply to the weight-bearing dome of the femoral head?

During an anterolateral approach to the distal tibia, the superficial peroneal nerve must be identified and protected. At what approximate distance proximal to the lateral malleolus does this nerve typically pierce the deep fascia to become subcutaneous?

During hip arthroscopy, a variety of portals are established. Which nerve is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury during the placement of the anteroinferior portal?

The internervous plane for the Smith-Petersen (anterior) approach to the hip lies between muscles innervated by which of the following pairs of nerves?

During a volar Henry approach to the forearm, which of the following vascular structures must be mobilized and its recurrent branches ligated to safely expose the proximal radius?

What nerve is at greatest risk of injury during a standard medial approach to the knee for a medial meniscus repair?

A 25-year-old male sustains a midshaft humerus fracture and is noted to have a profound wrist drop on examination. The nerve responsible for this deficit passes through which of the following anatomical spaces?