Anatomy Flashcards
7 cards from real USMLE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Anatomy flashcards as text
The femoral sheath is divided into three compartments. Which structure occupies the most medial compartment (femoral canal)?
Answer: Lymphatics and loose connective tissue
The femoral canal is the most medial compartment of the femoral sheath and contains lymphatics and loose connective tissue, forming the site of potential femoral hernias.
A patient presents with weakness of hip flexion and knee extension along with loss of sensation over the anterior thigh and medial leg. Which nerve is most likely damaged?
Answer: Femoral nerve
The femoral nerve innervates the iliopsoas (hip flexion) and quadriceps (knee extension), and its saphenous branch provides sensation to the anterior thigh and medial leg.
During a thyroidectomy a surgeon must preserve all intrinsic laryngeal muscles. Which muscle is NOT innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve?
Answer: Cricothyroid
The cricothyroid is the only intrinsic laryngeal muscle innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, not the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
A patient sustains a stab wound to the posterior triangle of the neck and subsequently develops shoulder droop with difficulty elevating the arm above 90 degrees. Which nerve was most likely injured?
Answer: Accessory nerve (CN XI)
The accessory nerve (CN XI) traverses the posterior triangle of the neck and innervates the trapezius; its injury causes shoulder droop and impairs full arm elevation.
As the ureter descends into the pelvis, it crosses posterior to which structure at the pelvic brim?
Answer: Common iliac artery bifurcation
The ureter crosses posterior to the bifurcation of the common iliac artery at the pelvic brim, an important landmark during pelvic and urologic surgery.
Which of the following best describes the drainage territory of the right lymphatic duct?
Answer: Right side of the head, neck, thorax, and right upper limb
The right lymphatic duct drains the right side of the head, neck, and thorax plus the right upper limb, emptying into the junction of the right internal jugular and subclavian veins.
A patient with a Colles' fracture develops weakness of thumb opposition and loss of sensation over the lateral palm and first 3.5 fingers. Which nerve is most likely affected?
Answer: Median nerve
The median nerve innervates the thenar muscles via its recurrent branch and provides sensory innervation to the lateral palm and first 3.5 fingers; it can be compressed in the carpal tunnel following a Colles' fracture.