Anatomy & Physiology for Surgical Technology Flashcards

Which physiological response is triggered by the surgical stress response, causing hyperglycemia during surgery?

Answer: Release of cortisol and catecholamines causing insulin resistance

Surgical stress triggers cortisol and catecholamine release, which promote gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, and insulin resistance, resulting in perioperative hyperglycemia.

The portal triad (portal tract) of the liver contains which three structures?

Answer: Portal vein, hepatic artery, bile duct

Each portal tract contains a branch of the portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct — the three structures that travel together as the 'portal triad' within the liver lobule.

Which phase of the cardiac cycle does the heart muscle receive its blood supply from the coronary arteries?

Answer: Diastole

Coronary artery filling occurs primarily during diastole when ventricular pressure drops and the coronary ostia are no longer occluded by high ventricular pressure.

Which abdominal muscle layer has fibers running in a transverse (horizontal) direction?

Answer: Transversus abdominis

The transversus abdominis is the deepest of the three flat abdominal muscles, with horizontally oriented fibers that compress the abdominal contents.

Which anatomical landmark defines the transition from the jejunum to the ileum in the small bowel?

Answer: There is no distinct anatomical landmark

There is no distinct gross anatomical landmark between the jejunum and ileum; they are distinguished by histological differences, caliber, and relative position in the peritoneal cavity.

During a nephrectomy, which structure is identified first in the renal hilum to control hemorrhage safely?

Answer: Renal artery

The renal artery is ligated first during nephrectomy to devascularize the kidney and reduce venous engorgement, making subsequent dissection safer.