1. General Principles & Basic Science MCQs

A patient is evaluated for an inability to actively extend the fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints, though wrist extension is maintained with slight radial deviation. The compressed nerve normally enters the posterior forearm by passing between the two heads of which muscle?

A patient sustains a midshaft humerus fracture. Upon examination, they are unable to extend their wrist or digits. Assuming the lesion is distal to the spiral groove, which of the following muscles is typically the first to regain function during spontaneous nerve recovery?

During an anterior approach (Smith-Petersen) to the hip, the superficial internervous plane is between the sartorius and the tensor fasciae latae. What are the respective nerve supplies of these muscles?

During the Henry approach to the proximal radius, the deep dissection requires managing the supinator to expose the bone. To minimize the risk of injury to the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN), how should the supinator be managed?

Which of the following neurovascular structures pass through the quadrangular space of the shoulder?

Which muscle is primarily responsible for internal rotation of the tibia on the femur, a motion necessary to 'unlock' the knee from terminal extension?

A patient sustains a traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation. The most commonly injured nerve in this scenario arises primarily from which of the following roots of the brachial plexus?

During a posterior approach to the shoulder, the axillary nerve must be identified to prevent iatrogenic injury. Which of the following sets of structures forms the borders of the quadrangular space, through which the axillary nerve exits?

During an anterior intrapelvic (modified Stoppa) approach for an acetabular fracture, massive bleeding is encountered directly posterior to the superior pubic ramus. This is most likely due to injury to the corona mortis, which represents an anastomosis between which two vascular systems?

During a plantar approach for an excision of a midfoot mass, dissection proceeds deep near the Master Knot of Henry. Which two tendons cross at this specific anatomic decussation?

To safely access the posterior hip joint, an understanding of the relationship between the sciatic nerve and the piriformis muscle is essential. In the normal and most common anatomic arrangement, where does the sciatic nerve pass?

During anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion, aggressive lateral dissection places the vertebral artery at risk. Ascending from the subclavian artery, the vertebral artery classically enters the foramen transversarium at which cervical level?

During an anterolateral (Henry) approach to the distal humerus, the brachialis muscle is split to expose the humeral shaft. Which of the following describes the innervation of the medial and lateral portions of the brachialis muscle?

During an ilioinguinal approach for an acetabular fracture, significant hemorrhage occurs while dissecting near the superior pubic ramus. This is most likely due to a variant anastomotic vessel connecting the external iliac system to which of the following arteries?

A 28-year-old overhead athlete presents with posterior shoulder pain and deltoid weakness. An MRI demonstrates isolated atrophy of the teres minor. Entrapment of a nerve in which of the following spaces is most likely responsible?

During a surgical approach to the medial thigh, the boundaries of the femoral triangle must be respected to avoid neurovascular injury. What structure forms the medial border of the femoral triangle?

The posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) is most commonly entrapped at the Arcade of Frohse. This anatomic structure represents the proximal fibrous edge of which muscle?

The standard deltopectoral approach to the shoulder utilizes a true internervous plane. This plane exists between muscles innervated by which of the following pairs of nerves?

A 28-year-old overhead throwing athlete presents with posterior shoulder pain and isolated teres minor atrophy on MRI. Compression of the axillary nerve is suspected in the quadrilateral space. Which structure forms the superior border of this space?

The main blood supply to the adult femoral head is derived from the medial circumflex femoral artery (MCFA). The deep branch of the MCFA travels to the hip capsule in the interval between which two muscles?