1. General Principles & Basic Science MCQs

A patient sustains a pelvic fracture involving the greater sciatic notch. Which of the following structures exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen but superior to the piriformis muscle?

The obturator nerve provides motor innervation to the adductor compartment of the thigh. If the nerve is completely transected within the obturator canal, which muscle in the medial compartment will retain partial innervation?

Which of the following landmarks serves as the primary anatomic reference for the inferior limit of the superficial interval in the Watson-Jones (anterolateral) approach to the hip?

A patient undergoes a pelvic osteotomy and develops persistent weakness in hip external rotation. The surgeon suspects injury to the nerve to the quadratus femoris. This nerve typically leaves the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen and runs deep to which of the following structures?

A patient undergoes an anterior pelvic ring fixation via an ilioinguinal approach. During dissection along the superior pubic ramus, brisk bleeding occurs. This is most likely due to injury of an anastomosis between which two vascular systems?

During a direct anterior approach to the hip (Smith-Petersen), the superficial internervous plane is utilized. Which nerves supply the muscles defining this superficial plane?

In approximately 15-20% of the population, the sciatic nerve has an anatomical variation in its relationship with the piriformis muscle. What is the most common variant?

A 45-year-old female presents with persistent lateral hip pain and a Trendelenburg gait after a fall. MRI reveals an isolated avulsion of the gluteus medius tendon. Which aspect of the greater trochanter is the primary footprint for the gluteus medius?

The sacrospinous ligament is a critical anatomical landmark during pelvic surgery. Which two spaces does this ligament separate?

A patient complains of perineal numbness and fecal incontinence after a difficult vaginal delivery. The nerve responsible for these symptoms exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen and re-enters through the lesser sciatic foramen. What is this nerve?

What ligament of the hip is considered the strongest in the human body, acting primarily to prevent hyperextension of the hip joint?

During an open reduction and internal fixation of a symphysis pubis diastasis, the surgeon must be aware of the boundaries of the femoral canal to avoid incarcerating a hernia or injuring vascular structures. What forms the medial boundary of the femoral ring?

The ligamentum teres of the hip contains a small artery that supplies a minor portion of the femoral head in adults. This artery is a branch of which of the following vessels?

A patient undergoes pelvic lymph node dissection and subsequently presents with weakness in hip adduction and paresthesias over the medial aspect of the thigh. Which nerve was most likely injured as it courses through the pelvis?

During an anterolateral approach to the hip (Watson-Jones), the internervous plane is between the tensor fasciae latae and the gluteus medius. What is the nerve supply to these two muscles?

The hip joint capsule is reinforced by several ligaments. Which capsular ligament is located posteriorly and is primarily responsible for limiting internal rotation of the hip in extension?

A 30-year-old male sustains a posterior hip dislocation. Post-reduction, he exhibits a foot drop and weakness in great toe extension, but plantar flexion is preserved. Which portion of the sciatic nerve is most vulnerable in this injury?

During a modified Stoppa approach for a pelvic ring fracture, the surgeon encounters massive arterial hemorrhage just posterior to the superior pubic ramus. This bleeding is most likely originating from an anastomosis between which of the following vessels?

An anterior (Smith-Petersen) approach to the hip is selected for an open reduction of a developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). What represents the superficial internervous plane for this approach?

During a piriformis-sparing posterior approach to the hip, the surgeon visualizes an anatomic variant of the sciatic nerve. In approximately 10% of the population, a portion of the sciatic nerve pierces or passes superior to the piriformis. Which neural element is most commonly involved in this variant?