NBSTSA Anatomy & Physiology for Surgical Technology 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which ligament connects the liver to the anterior abdominal wall and contains the remnant of the umbilical vein?
- Falciform ligament (Correct answer)
- Hepatoduodenal ligament
- Coronary ligament
- Round ligament of the uterus
Correct answer: Falciform ligament
The falciform ligament attaches the liver to the anterior abdominal wall and diaphragm and contains the ligamentum teres, which is the fibrous remnant of the umbilical vein.
Question 2: Regarding the brachial plexus, which nerve root injury would cause 'wrist drop' by paralyzing the wrist extensors?
- Radial nerve (C5–C8, T1) (Correct answer)
- Ulnar nerve (C8, T1)
- Median nerve (C5–C8, T1)
- Musculocutaneous nerve (C5–C7)
Correct answer: Radial nerve (C5–C8, T1)
The radial nerve innervates the extensor compartment of the forearm; injury to it results in inability to extend the wrist, producing the characteristic wrist drop deformity.
Question 3: Which valve is located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery?
- Pulmonic (pulmonary) semilunar valve (Correct answer)
- Tricuspid valve
- Mitral valve
- Aortic semilunar valve
Correct answer: Pulmonic (pulmonary) semilunar valve
The pulmonic semilunar valve prevents backflow of blood from the pulmonary artery into the right ventricle during diastole.
Question 4: The thoracic duct, the largest lymphatic vessel, empties lymph into which venous junction?
- Left subclavian and left internal jugular vein junction (Correct answer)
- Right subclavian and right internal jugular vein junction
- Superior vena cava
- Left brachiocephalic vein directly
Correct answer: Left subclavian and left internal jugular vein junction
The thoracic duct drains the majority of the body's lymph and terminates at the junction of the left subclavian and left internal jugular veins (left venous angle).
Question 5: During a thyroidectomy, which parathyroid finding would most concern the surgical team regarding postoperative hypocalcemia?
- Inadvertent removal of all four parathyroid glands (Correct answer)
- Ligation of the superior thyroid artery
- Identification of the superior laryngeal nerve
- Division of the isthmus
Correct answer: Inadvertent removal of all four parathyroid glands
The parathyroid glands regulate calcium homeostasis; their accidental removal leads to postoperative hypocalcemia, causing tetany and potentially laryngospasm.
Question 6: Which muscle group is responsible for plantar flexion of the foot and is tested by asking a patient to stand on their toes?
- Gastrocnemius and soleus (triceps surae) (Correct answer)
- Tibialis anterior
- Peroneus longus and brevis
- Extensor digitorum longus
Correct answer: Gastrocnemius and soleus (triceps surae)
The gastrocnemius and soleus together form the triceps surae and are the primary plantar flexors of the foot, inserting via the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon.
Question 7: Which segment of the nephron is responsible for the majority of obligatory water reabsorption driven by the osmotic gradient established by solute reabsorption?
- Proximal convoluted tubule (Correct answer)
- Distal convoluted tubule
- Collecting duct
- Thin descending limb of the loop of Henle
Correct answer: Proximal convoluted tubule
Approximately 65–70% of filtered water is reabsorbed iso-osmotically in the proximal convoluted tubule, following sodium and other solutes passively.
NBSTSA Anatomy & Physiology for Surgical Technology 5
Which ligament connects the liver to the anterior abdominal wall and contains the remnant of the umbilical vein?