General Surgery Board Review Anatomy & Surgical Procedures Flashcards

Which vessel is the primary blood supply to the parathyroid glands and must be preserved during thyroid surgery?

Answer: Inferior thyroid artery

Both superior and inferior parathyroid glands receive their blood supply predominantly from the inferior thyroid artery, making its preservation critical during thyroid surgery.

The marginal artery of Drummond connects which two major arterial systems supplying the colon?

Answer: Superior mesenteric artery and inferior mesenteric artery

The marginal artery of Drummond runs along the mesenteric border of the colon and provides collateral flow between the SMA and IMA distributions, critical during colon resection.

Which structure passes through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm alongside the esophagus?

Answer: Vagus nerves (anterior and posterior trunks)

The anterior (left) and posterior (right) vagal trunks travel with the esophagus through the esophageal hiatus at T10, while the aorta and thoracic duct pass through the aortic hiatus at T12.

Hesselbach's triangle, the site of direct inguinal hernias, is bounded medially by the rectus abdominis, laterally by the inferior epigastric vessels, and inferiorly by which structure?

Answer: Inguinal ligament

Hesselbach's triangle is bounded medially by the rectus abdominis, laterally by the inferior epigastric vessels, and inferiorly by the inguinal ligament; direct hernias protrude through this region.

During right hemicolectomy, which structure is most at risk for inadvertent injury due to its retroperitoneal course?

Answer: Right ureter

The right ureter courses beneath the right mesocolon and is at risk during right hemicolectomy, particularly during medial-to-lateral dissection near the iliac vessels.

A structure passes posterior to the pancreatic neck and is formed by the confluence of the superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein — what is this structure?

Answer: Portal vein

The portal vein forms posterior to the neck of the pancreas by the junction of the superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein and is at risk during pancreatic neck resection.