CST Surgical Anatomy by Specialty 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the 'critical view of safety' requires dissection of which anatomical space?
- Hepatoduodenal ligament
- Calot's triangle (Correct answer)
- Morrison's pouch
- Foramen of Winslow
Correct answer: Calot's triangle
Calot's triangle must be fully dissected to clearly identify the cystic duct and cystic artery before clipping, establishing the critical view of safety.
Question 2: In thoracic surgery, which structure passes through the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm at the T12 level?
- Inferior vena cava
- Esophagus
- Aorta (Correct answer)
- Thoracic duct only
Correct answer: Aorta
The aorta passes through the aortic hiatus at T12, accompanied by the thoracic duct and azygos vein.
Question 3: During a radical prostatectomy, which nerve bundles are most critical to preserve for postoperative erectile function?
- Pudendal nerve branches
- Neurovascular bundles of Walsh (Correct answer)
- Inferior hypogastric plexus trunks
- Genitofemoral nerve fibers
Correct answer: Neurovascular bundles of Walsh
The neurovascular bundles of Walsh, running posterolateral to the prostate, contain the cavernous nerves responsible for erectile function.
Question 4: In a total knee arthroplasty, the popliteal artery is at greatest risk because it lies immediately posterior to which structure?
- Medial collateral ligament
- Posterior cruciate ligament
- Posterior joint capsule (Correct answer)
- Biceps femoris tendon
Correct answer: Posterior joint capsule
The popliteal artery runs directly posterior to the knee joint capsule, placing it at risk during posterior capsule release.
Question 5: During a parotidectomy, the facial nerve exits the stylomastoid foramen and divides into its main branches within which structure?
- Superficial parotid lobe
- Masseter muscle fascia
- Parenchyma of the parotid gland (Correct answer)
- Platysma layer
Correct answer: Parenchyma of the parotid gland
The facial nerve enters and divides into temporofacial and cervicofacial divisions within the substance of the parotid gland parenchyma.
Question 6: In cardiac surgery, the sinoatrial (SA) node is typically located at the junction of the superior vena cava and which cardiac structure?
- Right ventricle
- Right atrium (Correct answer)
- Left atrium
- Interatrial septum
Correct answer: Right atrium
The SA node sits at the sulcus terminalis at the junction of the superior vena cava and right atrium, near the right atrial appendage.
Question 7: During a thyroidectomy, the recurrent laryngeal nerve is most vulnerable at which location?
- Posterior to the inferior thyroid artery
- At its entry into the tracheoesophageal groove
- Where it crosses the Berry ligament near the cricothyroid junction (Correct answer)
- At the level of the thyroid isthmus
Correct answer: Where it crosses the Berry ligament near the cricothyroid junction
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is most at risk where it passes beneath or through the Berry ligament just before entering the larynx at the cricothyroid joint.
CST Surgical Anatomy by Specialty 2
During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the 'critical view of safety' requires dissection of which anatomical space?