1. General Principles & Basic Science MCQs

A 28-year-old overhead athlete presents with poorly localized shoulder pain and deltoid weakness. An MRI reveals atrophy of the teres minor. Entrapment of the involved nerve typically occurs within a space bounded medially by which of the following structures?

During an ilioinguinal approach for an acetabular fracture, the surgeon must identify and ligate the corona mortis to prevent massive hemorrhage. This structure typically represents an anastomosis between the obturator vessels and which of the following systems?

When performing a medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy, a retractor is placed carefully along the posterior tibial cortex to protect neurovascular structures. Which of the following vessels is at greatest risk of injury during the posterolateral cortical cut?

A surgeon utilizes the volar (Henry) approach to expose the proximal third of the radius. To achieve this, the supinator muscle must be mobilized. Which nerve is at risk during this step, and what is its relationship to the muscle?

During an anterior (Smith-Petersen) approach to the hip, the superficial internervous plane utilized is between the sartorius and the tensor fasciae latae. What is the innervation of these two muscles, respectively?

During the ilioinguinal approach to the acetabulum, severe hemorrhage can occur if the corona mortis is inadvertently injured. The corona mortis is an anastomotic vascular connection between which two systems?

A 40-year-old overhead athlete presents with vague posterior shoulder pain and paresthesias over the lateral deltoid. MRI demonstrates a paralabral cyst compressing the quadrilateral space. Which nerve and artery pass through this anatomical space?

A patient sustains a posterior knee dislocation resulting in suspected vascular compromise. When exploring the popliteal fossa, what is the normal anatomical arrangement of the major neurovascular structures from superficial (posterior) to deep (anterior)?

A surgeon uses a two-incision technique for a distal biceps tendon repair. During the posterolateral approach to secure the tendon to the radial tuberosity, which nerve is at greatest risk if the arm is not maintained in maximal pronation?

The medial circumflex femoral artery provides the primary blood supply to the adult femoral head. After originating from the deep profunda femoris, it consistently passes posteriorly between which two muscles?

A 45-year-old female undergoes midfoot surgery. During exploration of the deep plantar structures, the surgeon identifies the Master Knot of Henry. This key anatomical landmark represents the intersection of which two tendons?

When utilizing an ilioinguinal approach for an anterior column acetabular fracture, the surgeon must carefully expose and protect the corona mortis. This variable vascular anastomosis most commonly connects the obturator vessels with which of the following?

A patient undergoes plating for a midshaft humerus fracture via an anterolateral approach. At approximately what distance proximal to the lateral epicondyle does the radial nerve pierce the lateral intermuscular septum to transition from the posterior to the anterior compartment?

During a Smith-Petersen (anterior) approach to the hip for a core decompression, the surgeon develops both superficial and deep internervous planes. The deep internervous plane is located between which two muscles?

A surgeon utilizes the volar (Henry) approach to the forearm to perform open reduction and internal fixation of a proximal radius fracture. What muscle must be supinated and elevated off its ulnar origin to expose the proximal radius safely while protecting the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN)?

During an anterior ilioinguinal approach to the acetabulum, severe hemorrhage is encountered near the superior pubic ramus. This bleeding is most likely from an anastomotic vessel connecting which two vascular systems?

When performing a lateral deltoid-splitting approach to the proximal humerus, the axillary nerve is at risk. On average, how far distal to the lateral acromial edge does the main trunk of the axillary nerve cross the humerus?

During a volar (Henry) approach to the proximal radius, supination of the forearm protects the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN). Supination achieves this by shifting the PIN in which direction relative to the surgical field?

The main blood supply to the adult femoral head is derived from the deep branch of the medial femoral circumflex artery (MFCA). This vessel crosses the posterior aspect of the hip joint in close proximity to which of the following structures?

A surgeon is performing an anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). During lateral decompression, the vertebral artery is at risk. At which cervical level does the vertebral artery typically enter the transverse foramen?