FRCR Anatomy Mock 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On a barium swallow, an indentation on the posterior oesophagus at the level of T4 is most likely caused by which structure?
- Aortic arch (Correct answer)
- Left atrium
- Right pulmonary artery
- Aberrant right subclavian artery
Correct answer: Aortic arch
The aortic arch creates a smooth extrinsic impression on the left and posterior oesophageal wall at approximately T4 on barium swallow studies.
Question 2: Which nerve is at risk during a posterior surgical approach to the hip and runs on the posterior surface of the quadratus femoris?
- Nerve to quadratus femoris (Correct answer)
- Sciatic nerve
- Inferior gluteal nerve
- Obturator nerve
Correct answer: Nerve to quadratus femoris
The nerve to quadratus femoris (L4–S1) runs on the posterior surface of the muscle, supplying both quadratus femoris and inferior gemellus, and carries articular branches to the hip joint.
Question 3: On CT angiography, the coeliac trunk typically arises from the aorta at which vertebral level?
- T12–L1 (Correct answer)
- L1–L2
- T10–T11
- L2–L3
Correct answer: T12–L1
The coeliac trunk arises from the anterior surface of the aorta at the T12–L1 level, just below the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm.
Question 4: The parotid gland is traversed by which cranial nerve, and this relationship is important in parotid surgery?
- Facial nerve (VII) (Correct answer)
- Auriculotemporal nerve (V3)
- Great auricular nerve (C2/C3)
- Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
Correct answer: Facial nerve (VII)
The facial nerve (VII) divides into its five terminal branches within the substance of the parotid gland, dividing it into superficial and deep lobes.
Question 5: On ultrasound, which structure lies immediately lateral to the common carotid artery in the neck at the level of the thyroid?
- Internal jugular vein (Correct answer)
- External jugular vein
- Vagus nerve
- Subclavian vein
Correct answer: Internal jugular vein
The internal jugular vein lies lateral and slightly anterior to the common carotid artery within the carotid sheath at all levels of the neck.
Question 6: In the pelvis, the ureter passes medial to which structure as it crosses the pelvic brim?
- Iliac vessels (crossing anterior to common/external iliac artery) (Correct answer)
- Obturator nerve
- Psoas major muscle
- Femoral nerve
Correct answer: Iliac vessels (crossing anterior to common/external iliac artery)
The ureter crosses the pelvic brim anterior to the bifurcation of the common iliac artery (or over the external iliac artery), a key landmark in pelvic surgery.
Question 7: On coronal CT of the chest, which structure separates the superior mediastinum from the posterior mediastinum?
- Plane of the sternal angle (angle of Louis) (Correct answer)
- Carina
- Level of T8
- Anterior pericardium
Correct answer: Plane of the sternal angle (angle of Louis)
A transverse plane through the sternal angle (T4–T5) separates the superior mediastinum above from the three inferior mediastinal compartments below.
FRCR Anatomy Mock 4
On a barium swallow, an indentation on the posterior oesophagus at the level of T4 is most likely caused by which structure?