VABC Vascular Anatomy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The femoral vein becomes the external iliac vein at which anatomical landmark?
- Inguinal ligament (Correct answer)
- Iliac crest
- Obturator foramen
- Pubic symphysis
Correct answer: Inguinal ligament
The femoral vein passes beneath the inguinal ligament, at which point it becomes the external iliac vein.
Question 2: Which branch of the aorta supplies oxygenated blood to the right arm?
- Left subclavian artery
- Right subclavian artery
- Brachiocephalic (innominate) artery (Correct answer)
- Right common carotid artery
Correct answer: Brachiocephalic (innominate) artery
The brachiocephalic (innominate) artery branches from the aortic arch and divides into the right subclavian artery and right common carotid artery.
Question 3: The axillary vein transitions into the subclavian vein at which border of the first rib?
- Medial border (Correct answer)
- Lateral border
- Superior border
- Inferior border
Correct answer: Medial border
The axillary vein becomes the subclavian vein at the lateral border of the first rib, or alternatively described at the medial border as it crosses over.
Question 4: Which structure separates the subclavian artery from the subclavian vein in the infraclavicular region?
- Brachial plexus
- Anterior scalene muscle (Correct answer)
- Middle scalene muscle
- Pectoralis minor muscle
Correct answer: Anterior scalene muscle
The anterior scalene muscle lies between the subclavian artery (posterior) and the subclavian vein (anterior), serving as an important anatomical separator.
Question 5: In which direction does the left subclavian vein travel to join the left internal jugular vein forming the left brachiocephalic vein?
- Superiorly and medially
- Inferiorly and laterally
- Horizontally and medially (Correct answer)
- Posteriorly and superiorly
Correct answer: Horizontally and medially
The left subclavian vein travels horizontally and medially across the mediastinum to join the left internal jugular vein, forming the longer left brachiocephalic vein.
Question 6: The popliteal vein is located in which compartment relative to the popliteal artery?
- Anterior to the artery
- Lateral to the artery
- Posterior and superficial to the artery (Correct answer)
- Medial and deep to the artery
Correct answer: Posterior and superficial to the artery
In the popliteal fossa, the popliteal vein lies posterior and superficial to the popliteal artery, with the tibial nerve most superficial.
Question 7: Which vein is most commonly used as a landmark for ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein access because of its proximity?
- External jugular vein
- Common carotid artery (Correct answer)
- Anterior jugular vein
- Vertebral vein
Correct answer: Common carotid artery
The common carotid artery is the primary landmark during ultrasound-guided IJ access; the IJ vein lies lateral and superficial to the carotid artery.
VABC Vascular Anatomy 3
The femoral vein becomes the external iliac vein at which anatomical landmark?