1. General Principles & Basic Science MCQs

The anterolateral (Watson-Jones) approach to the hip is frequently used for hemiarthroplasty. This approach develops an intermuscular plane between which two muscles?

A 65-year-old female sustains a severely displaced surgical neck fracture of the proximal humerus. She exhibits weakness in shoulder abduction. The most likely injured nerve exits the axilla through which anatomical space?

In the anterior intrapelvic (modified Stoppa) approach for acetabular fracture fixation, dissection proceeds along the pelvic brim. Which nerve lies directly on the anterior surface of the obturator internus muscle and is highly vulnerable during placement of sub-pelvic retractors?

During an anterolateral approach to the distal third of the humerus, the brachialis muscle is split longitudinally. Which nerve innervates the lateral half of the split brachialis muscle?

A surgeon is performing a standard deltopectoral approach to the shoulder. Which of the following best describes the internervous plane utilized in this approach?

During an anterior (Smith-Petersen) approach to the hip, a superficial internervous plane is developed. Between which two muscles is this plane located?

A patient requires surgical excision of a tumor located within the quadrangular space of the shoulder. Which vascular structure normally accompanies the axillary nerve in this space?

During a volar Henry approach to the forearm for a radius fracture, the surgeon must mobilize the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) and brachioradialis. What represents the internervous plane for the proximal third of this approach?

During an ilioinguinal approach for an anterior column acetabular fracture, life-threatening hemorrhage occurs behind the superior pubic ramus. What vascular anomaly is the most likely source?

When performing a standard posterior approach to the hip (Kocher-Langenbeck), which structure is utilized to protect the sciatic nerve during deep retraction?

A patient presents with a severe knee dislocation. Post-reduction examination reveals intact plantar flexion and inversion, but isolated weakness in ankle dorsiflexion and eversion. Which nerve is injured?

A 55-year-old male undergoes open plating for a displaced midshaft humerus fracture. The radial nerve runs in the spiral groove of the humerus between which two muscle heads?

While performing a direct anterior approach to the hip, placement of a blunt retractor directly over the anterior rim of the acetabulum can inadvertently compress which nerve?

During the proximal extension of the anterior (Henry) approach to the radius, the surgeon identifies a leash of vessels that must be ligated to mobilize the mobile wad laterally. These vessels are direct branches of which of the following structures?

A surgeon is performing an ilioinguinal approach for an anterior column acetabular fracture. While working in the second (middle) window, which of the following structures is found immediately medial to the iliopectineal fascia?

During resection of a soft tissue sarcoma in the proximal thigh, the surgeon carefully traces the femoral nerve. Which of the following muscles is primarily innervated by a branch of the femoral nerve despite functioning as a medial compartment adductor?

Repair of a posterior horn tear of the medial meniscus using an inside-out technique places certain extra-articular structures at risk. What is the most critical neural structure at risk when placing sutures blindly in the posteromedial corner of the knee?

During a deltopectoral approach to the shoulder, the cephalic vein is identified. It is typically retracted laterally with the deltoid to preserve its major tributaries. If the dissection proceeds too aggressively medial to the conjoined tendon, which of the following nerves is at greatest risk of direct injury?

A trauma surgeon is performing an ilioinguinal approach for an anterior column acetabular fracture. While working in the second (middle) window, massive acute hemorrhage occurs. Which of the following vascular structures is the most likely source of this bleeding?

The anterolateral approach to the distal humerus is often utilized for fracture fixation, requiring exposure and protection of the radial nerve. At what approximate distance proximal to the radiocapitellar joint does the radial nerve pierce the lateral intermuscular septum to enter the anterior compartment?