NBSTSA Anatomy & Physiology for Surgical Technology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which heart valve is located between the left atrium and left ventricle?
- Tricuspid valve
- Pulmonic valve
- Mitral (bicuspid) valve (Correct answer)
- Aortic valve
Correct answer: Mitral (bicuspid) valve
The mitral (bicuspid) valve is positioned between the left atrium and left ventricle, controlling blood flow from the pulmonary veins to the systemic circulation.
Question 2: During a radical mastectomy, which nerve, if damaged, causes 'winged scapula'?
- Thoracodorsal nerve
- Long thoracic nerve (Correct answer)
- Intercostobrachial nerve
- Medial pectoral nerve
Correct answer: Long thoracic nerve
The long thoracic nerve innervates the serratus anterior muscle; its injury causes the medial border of the scapula to protrude (winged scapula).
Question 3: The ureter crosses which structure at the pelvic brim that surgeons must identify during pelvic dissection?
- Femoral artery
- Internal iliac artery bifurcation (Correct answer)
- Obturator nerve
- Pudendal artery
Correct answer: Internal iliac artery bifurcation
The ureter crosses the bifurcation of the common iliac artery (becoming internal and external iliac arteries) at the pelvic brim — a key landmark to prevent ureteral injury.
Question 4: Which anatomical space is accessed during a total hip replacement (posterior approach) after splitting the gluteus maximus?
- Greater sciatic foramen
- Short external rotators and posterior hip capsule (Correct answer)
- Femoral triangle
- Obturator foramen
Correct answer: Short external rotators and posterior hip capsule
The posterior hip approach involves splitting the gluteus maximus and dividing the short external rotators (piriformis, obturator internus, gemelli) to access the posterior hip capsule.
Question 5: Which cranial nerve is responsible for facial expression and is at risk during parotidectomy?
- Cranial nerve V (trigeminal)
- Cranial nerve VII (facial) (Correct answer)
- Cranial nerve IX (glossopharyngeal)
- Cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal)
Correct answer: Cranial nerve VII (facial)
The facial nerve (CN VII) courses through the parotid gland and controls facial expression muscles; its branches are identified and preserved during parotidectomy.
Question 6: The saphenous vein used for coronary artery bypass grafting is harvested from which anatomical location?
- Lateral leg (peroneal region)
- Medial aspect of the lower leg and thigh (Correct answer)
- Popliteal fossa
- Anterior leg surface
Correct answer: Medial aspect of the lower leg and thigh
The great saphenous vein runs along the medial aspect of the lower leg and thigh from the ankle to the groin and is the most commonly harvested conduit for CABG.
NBSTSA Anatomy & Physiology for Surgical Technology 2
Which heart valve is located between the left atrium and left ventricle?