1. General Principles & Basic Science MCQs

During a Latarjet procedure, careful retraction is required when exposing the anterior glenoid neck to avoid irogenic nerve injury. Which nerve is most at risk when retracting the conjoint tendon medially?

During a Latarjet procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability, the coracoid process is transferred to the anterior glenoid. Which nerve is most at risk during the distal exposure and mobilization of the conjoined tendon?

During open reduction and internal fixation of a proximal humerus fracture, a deltopectoral approach is utilized. Which two nerves supply the muscles that form the internervous plane for this approach?

A 32-year-old man sustains a displaced 3-part proximal humerus fracture after a high-speed motorcycle accident. An axillary nerve injury is suspected. Which clinical finding is the most reliable indicator of axillary nerve dysfunction?

A 28-year-old male bodybuilder feels a pop in his anterior chest while performing a heavy bench press. Examination reveals an asymmetric chest wall contour and weakness in internal rotation. Which of the following describes the most common anatomic location of a pectoralis major rupture in this demographic?

During an open reduction and internal fixation of a proximal humerus fracture using an extended deltopectoral approach, which nerve is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury when mobilizing the inferior capsule and placing retractors inferior to the humeral head?

A 35-year-old man sustains a closed midshaft humerus fracture. Initial emergency department examination reveals normal distal neurovascular function. Following the application of a coaptation splint and closed reduction, the patient is unable to actively extend his wrist or fingers. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

During a classic posterior approach to the shoulder for internal fixation of a scapular neck fracture, the internervous plane is developed. Which of the following nerves is at greatest risk of injury during overzealous medial retraction of the superior muscle in this interval?

A 24-year-old weightlifter feels a "pop" in his anterior axilla while performing a heavy bench press. Examination reveals an asymmetric axillary fold and weakness in internal rotation. If surgical repair of the ruptured structure is undertaken, where should the tendon be anatomically reattached?

Following a traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation, a 65-year-old patient develops numbness over the lateral aspect of the shoulder and an inability to actively abduct the arm past 15 degrees. Which peripheral nerve is most likely injured?

A 35-year-old man sustains a closed midshaft humerus fracture. Upon presentation in the emergency department, his radial nerve function is intact. He undergoes a closed reduction and splinting. Post-reduction examination reveals a new-onset complete loss of wrist extension and thumb extension. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

Recent anatomic injection studies have redefined the primary arterial blood supply to the humeral head. Which of the following vessels provides the most significant perfusion to the humeral head?

A 58-year-old female sustains a displaced two-part surgical neck fracture of the proximal humerus. She complains of numbness over the lateral aspect of her shoulder. Which nerve is most likely injured, and what is its correct anatomic relationship in the shoulder?

Based on recent quantitative anatomic studies, which of the following arterial branches provides the majority of the blood supply to the humeral head?

When performing an anterolateral approach (deltoid split) for plating a proximal humerus fracture, how far distal to the lateral edge of the acromion is it generally safe to split the deltoid before placing the axillary nerve at significant risk?

A 65-year-old female sustains a closed, highly displaced proximal humerus fracture after a fall. Following closed reduction and splinting, she is noted to have decreased sensation over the lateral aspect of her shoulder and is unable to actively contract her deltoid. Injury to which of the following nerves is most likely responsible for these findings?

During a deltopectoral approach for open reduction and internal fixation of a proximal humerus fracture, the cephalic vein is identified. Which of the following correctly describes the internervous plane utilized in this surgical approach?

Which zone of normal articular cartilage contains the highest concentration of collagen, the lowest concentration of proteoglycans, and chondrocytes that are oriented parallel to the joint surface?

A 65-year-old patient undergoes an isolated tibial shaft fracture fixation. A stainless steel plate is accidentally secured with titanium screws. This construct is at high risk for which of the following types of corrosion?

During the design of a solid intramedullary titanium nail, the radius of the nail is doubled. Assuming the material properties remain constant, how does this modification affect the theoretical bending stiffness of the implant?