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Surgical Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

7 cards from real CSFA 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 and Physiology flashcards as text

  1. Which layer of the abdominal wall is avascular and serves as a surgical landmark during laparotomy closures?

    Answer: Scarpa's fascia

    Scarpa's fascia is the deep membranous layer of the superficial fascia that is relatively avascular and is often reapproximated during closure.

  2. During a right hemicolectomy, which structure is at greatest risk of injury at the hepatic flexure?

    Answer: Duodenum

    The duodenum lies in close proximity to the hepatic flexure and is at risk during mobilization of the right colon.

  3. The ansa cervicalis nerve supplies which group of muscles relevant to anterior neck dissection?

    Answer: Infrahyoid strap muscles

    The ansa cervicalis (C1–C3) innervates the infrahyoid strap muscles including the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and omohyoid.

  4. Which physiologic mechanism primarily maintains mean arterial pressure when a patient transitions from supine to upright positioning on the operating table?

    Answer: Baroreceptor-mediated sympathetic vasoconstriction

    Baroreceptors in the carotid sinus and aortic arch detect pressure drops and trigger sympathetic vasoconstriction to maintain MAP.

  5. The fascial compartment containing the carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve is called the:

    Answer: Carotid sheath

    The carotid sheath is a condensation of cervical fascia enclosing the carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve.

  6. During a low anterior resection, meticulous dissection of the total mesorectal excision (TME) plane stays within which embryologic tissue plane?

    Answer: Waldeyer's fascia posteriorly and Denonvilliers' fascia anteriorly

    TME requires sharp dissection within the avascular holy plane bounded posteriorly by Waldeyer's fascia and anteriorly by Denonvilliers' fascia.

  7. Which cardiac valve is located at the atrioventricular junction on the left side and has two leaflets?

    Answer: Mitral valve

    The mitral (bicuspid) valve has two leaflets and guards the left atrioventricular orifice, distinguishing it from the three-leaflet tricuspid valve on the right.