Certified Surgical Technologist Anatomy and Physiology 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The common bile duct joins the pancreatic duct at which structure before emptying into the duodenum?
- Sphincter of Oddi
- Ampulla of Vater (Correct answer)
- Hartmann's pouch
- Cystic duct
Correct answer: Ampulla of Vater
The common bile duct and pancreatic duct merge at the ampulla of Vater (hepatopancreatic ampulla) before entering the duodenum through the sphincter of Oddi.
Question 2: During a thyroidectomy, which small glands embedded in the posterior thyroid capsule must be identified and preserved?
- Adrenal glands
- Parathyroid glands (Correct answer)
- Thymus gland
- Submandibular glands
Correct answer: Parathyroid glands
The four parathyroid glands are embedded in or near the posterior thyroid capsule and regulate calcium homeostasis; their inadvertent removal causes hypocalcemia.
Question 3: Which tendon is most commonly ruptured in an Achilles tendon repair procedure?
- Tibialis posterior tendon
- Peroneus longus tendon
- Calcaneal (Achilles) tendon (Correct answer)
- Flexor hallucis longus tendon
Correct answer: Calcaneal (Achilles) tendon
The calcaneal (Achilles) tendon, formed by the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, is the thickest tendon in the body and most commonly repaired after rupture.
Question 4: The brachial plexus originates from which spinal nerve roots?
- C1–C5
- C5–T1 (Correct answer)
- C3–C8
- T1–T6
Correct answer: C5–T1
The brachial plexus is formed by the ventral rami of spinal nerve roots C5 through T1, providing sensory and motor innervation to the upper extremity.
Question 5: Which organ is retroperitoneal and is therefore NOT covered by visceral peritoneum on all sides?
- Spleen
- Stomach
- Liver
- Pancreas (body and tail) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Pancreas (body and tail)
The pancreas (except the tail) is retroperitoneal and lies behind the peritoneum, making it secondarily retroperitoneal with only an anterior peritoneal covering.
Question 6: The saphenous vein is commonly harvested for coronary artery bypass grafting. Where does the great saphenous vein originate?
- Popliteal fossa
- Medial malleolus
- Femoral triangle
- Dorsal venous arch of the foot (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Dorsal venous arch of the foot
The great saphenous vein originates from the medial side of the dorsal venous arch of the foot and ascends along the medial leg to empty into the femoral vein.
Question 7: During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the 'critical view of safety' requires identification of the cystic duct and which other structure?
- Common bile duct
- Cystic artery (Correct answer)
- Right hepatic artery
- Common hepatic duct
Correct answer: Cystic artery
The critical view of safety requires that only the cystic duct and cystic artery are seen entering the gallbladder, preventing misidentification of the common bile duct.
Certified Surgical Technologist Anatomy and Physiology 3
The common bile duct joins the pancreatic duct at which structure before emptying into the duodenum?