Surgical Anatomy by Specialty Flashcards
7 cards from real CST practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Surgical Anatomy by Specialty flashcards as text
During a total hip arthroplasty via the posterior approach, which short external rotators are typically detached and later repaired to reduce dislocation risk?
Answer: Piriformis and conjoined short external rotators
The piriformis and conjoined tendons (obturator internus and gemelli) are detached during the posterior approach and repaired at closure to restore posterior capsular stability.
In urology, during a nephrectomy the renal hilum is approached and vessels controlled. Which vessel is typically ligated FIRST to reduce blood loss?
Answer: Renal artery
The renal artery is ligated first to prevent engorgement of the kidney; ligating the vein first causes the kidney to fill with blood from continued arterial inflow.
During a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), the internal mammary artery (IMA) is the preferred conduit primarily because of its long-term patency related to which anatomical feature?
Answer: Absence of atherosclerosis due to its endothelial nitric oxide production
The IMA's endothelium produces high levels of nitric oxide and prostacyclin, making it highly resistant to atherosclerosis and providing superior long-term patency over 10+ years.
In spine surgery, the conus medullaris typically ends at which vertebral level in adults?
Answer: L1–L2
In adults, the conus medullaris ends at approximately L1–L2, below which only the cauda equina (nerve roots) are present in the spinal canal.
During a mastectomy, the long thoracic nerve must be preserved because its injury causes which clinical finding?
Answer: Winged scapula
The long thoracic nerve innervates the serratus anterior; injury causes winging of the scapula due to inability to hold the scapula against the thorax.
In gynecologic surgery, the ureter is at highest risk of injury during ligation of which vascular structure in a hysterectomy?
Answer: Uterine artery at the level of the uterine isthmus
The ureter passes within 1–2 cm of the uterine artery at the level of the uterine isthmus ('water under the bridge'), making it most vulnerable during uterine artery ligation.
During an open appendectomy via a McBurney's incision, the base of the appendix is identified at the convergence of which colonic structure?
Answer: Taeniae coli
The three taeniae coli converge at the base of the appendix on the cecum, making them a reliable intraoperative guide to locate the appendix.