BRS Anatomy Block 1
The answer is D. The scapular notch transmits the suprascapular nerve below the superior transverse ligament, whereas the suprascapular artery and vein run over the ligament. The suprascapular nerve supplies the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. The axillary nerve innervates the deltoid and teres minor muscles. The subscapular nerves innervate the teres major and subscapularis muscles.
An 11-year-old boy falls down the stairs. A physician examines a radiograph of the boy's shoulder region (see figure). If the structure indicated by the letter A is calcified, which of the following muscles is most likely paralyzed? (A) Deltoid (B) Teres major (C) Teres minor (D) Infraspinatus (E) Subscapularis
The answer is D. Fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus occurs commonly and dam- ages the axillary nerve and the posterior humeral circumflex artery.
An 11-year-old boy falls down the stairs. A physician examines a radiograph of the boy's shoulder region (see figure). If the structure indicated by the letter B is fractured, which of the following structures is most likely injured? (A) Musculocutaneous nerve (B) Radial nerve (C) Deep brachial artery (D) Posterior humeral circumflex artery (E) Scapular circumflex artery
The answer is C. The hook of hamate and the pisiform provide insertion for the flexor carpi ulnaris.
Choose the appropriate lettered site or structure in the following radiograph of the wrist and hand (see figure). Destruction of the structure indicated by the letter E most likely causes weakness of which of the following muscles? (A) Flexor carpi radialis (B) Palmaris longus (C) Flexor carpi ulnaris (D) Brachioradialis (E) Flexor digitorum superficialis
The answer is B. The scaphoid forms the floor of the anatomic snuffbox and provides a site for origin of the abductor pollicis brevis.
Choose the appropriate lettered site or structure in the following radiograph of the wrist and hand (see figure). If the floor of the anatomic snuffbox and origin of the abductor pollicis brevis are damaged, which of the following bones is most likely to be involved? (A) A (B) B (C) C (D) D (E) E
The answer is D. The olecranon is the site for insertion of the triceps brachii, which is innervated by the radial nerve. When the olecranon is destroyed, the triceps brachii is paralyzed.
Choose the appropriate lettered site or structure in the radiograph of the elbow joint (see figure) and its associated structures to match the following descriptions. A lesion of the radial nerve would most likely cause paralysis of muscles that are attached to this area.
The answer is E. The medial epicondyle is the site of origin for the common flexor tendon and pronator teres. The common flexors include the flexor carpi radialis and ulnaris and palmaris longus muscles, which can flex the elbow and wrist joints. Thus, destruction of this area causes weakness of pronation because the pronator teres is paralyzed but the pronator quadratus is normal. Similarly, destruction of this area causes paralysis of the flexors of the wrist. However, it can be weakly flexed by the flexor pollicis longus, flexor digitorum superficialis, and profundus muscles.
Choose the appropriate lettered site or structure in the radiograph of the elbow joint (see figure) and its associated structures to match the following descriptions. Destruction of this area would most likely cause weakness of pronation of the forearm and flexion of the wrist joints.
The answer is B. The radial tuberosity is the site for tendinous attachment of the biceps brachii muscle, which supinates and flexes the forearm. When the tuberosity is destroyed, the biceps brachii is paralyzed.
Choose the appropriate lettered site or structure in the radiograph of the elbow joint (see figure) and its associated structures to match the following descriptions. Destruction of this area would most likely cause weakness of supination and flexion of the forearm.
The answer is A. This is the flexor pollicis longus, which is innervated by the median nerve.
Choose the appropriate lettered site or structure in this transverse magnetic resonance imaging through the middle of the palm of a woman's right hand (see figure) that matches the following descriptions. A lesion of the median nerve causes paralysis of this structure.
The answer is E. The extensor digitorum extends both the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints.
Choose the appropriate lettered site or structure in this transverse magnetic resonance imaging through the middle of the palm of a woman's right hand (see figure) that matches the following descriptions. Atrophy of this structure impairs extension of both the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints.
The answer is D. This is the second dorsal interosseous muscle, which abducts the middle finger.
Choose the appropriate lettered site or structure in this transverse magnetic resonance imaging through the middle of the palm of a woman's right hand (see figure) that matches the following descriptions. The patient is unable to abduct her middle finger because of paralysis of this structure.
The answer is G. This is the third palmar interosseous muscle, which adducts the little finger.
Choose the appropriate lettered site or structure in this transverse magnetic resonance imaging through the middle of the palm of a woman's right hand (see figure) that matches the following descriptions. The patient is unable to adduct her little finger because of paralysis of this structure.
During a domestic dispute, a 16-year-old boy receives a deep stab wound around the superior angle of the scapula near the medial border, which injures both the dorsal scapular and spinal accessory nerves. Such an injury could result in paralysis or weakness of which of the following muscles? (A) Trapezius and serratus posterior superior (B) Rhomboid major and trapezius (C) Rhomboidminorandlatissimusdorsi (D) Splenius cervicis and sternocleidomastoid (E) Levator scapulae and erector spinae
The Answer is B. The dorsal scapular nerve innervates the levator scapulae and rhomboid muscles, whereas the accessory nerve innervates the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles. The serratus posterior superior is innervated by ventral primary rami of the spinal nerves, whereas the splenius cervicis and erector spinae are innervated by dorsal primary rami of the spinal nerves.
After a 26-year-old man's car was broad-sided by a large truck, he is brought to the emergency department with multiple frac- tures of the transverse processes of the cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae. Which of the following muscles might be affected? (A) Trapezius (B) Levator scapulae (C) Rhomboidmajor (D) Serratus posterior superior (E) Rectuscapitis posterior major
The Answer is B. The levator scapulae arise from the transverse processes of the upper cervical vertebrae and inserts on the medial border of the scapula. The other muscles are attached to the spinous processes of the vertebrae.
A 39-year-old woman with headaches presents to her primary care physician with a possible herniated disk. Her magnetic res- onance imaging (MRI) scan reveals that the posterolateral protrusion of the interverte- bral disk between L4 and L5 vertebrae would most likely affect nerve roots of which of the following spinal nerves? (A) Third lumbar nerve (B) Fourth lumbar nerve (C) Fifth lumbar nerve (D) First sacral nerve (E) Second sacral nerve
The Answer is C. A posterolateral herniation of the intervertebral disk at disk level L4-L5 affects the fifth lumbar nerve root but rarely affects the fourth lumbar nerve root because of a progressive descending obliquity of the fourth and fifth lumbar nerve roots. The first seven cervical nerves exit above the corresponding vertebra, and the eighth cervical nerve exits below the seventh cervical vertebra because there are eight cervical nerves but only seven cervical vertebrae. The rest of the spinal nerves exit below their corresponding vertebrae.
A 57-year-old woman comes into her physician's office complaining of fever, nausea, vomiting, and the worst headache of her life. Tests and physical examination suggest hydrocephalus (widening ventricles) resulting from a decrease in the absorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A decrease of flow in the CSF through which of the following structures would be responsible for these findings? (A) Choroid plexus (B) Vertebral venous plexus (C) Arachnoid villi (D) Internal jugular vein (E) Subarachnoid trabeculae
The Answer is C. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is absorbed into the venous system primarily through the arachnoid villi projecting into the cranial dural venous sinuses, particularly the superior sagittal sinus. CSF is produced by the choroid plexuses of the ventricles of the brain and is circulated in the subarachnoid space, in which subarachnoid trabeculae are also found. The vertebral venous plexus and internal jugular vein are not involved in the absorption of CSF.
A young toddler presents to her pediatrician with rather new onset of bowel and bladder dysfunction and loss of the lower limb function. Her mother had not taken enough folic acid (to the point of a deficiency) during her pregnancy. On examination, the child has protrusion of the spinal cord and meninges and is diagnosed with which of the following conditions? (A) Spina bifida occulta (B) Meningocele (C) Meningomyelocele (D) Myeloschisis (E) Syringomyelocele
The Answer is C. Meningomyelocele is protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord through the unfused arch of the vertebra. A sufficient amount of folic acid during pregnancy is shown to prevent these kinds of neural tube defects. Spina bifida occulta is failure of the vertebral arch to fuse (bony defect only). Meningocele is protrusion of the meninges through the defective vertebral arch. Syringomyelocele is protrusion of the meninges and a pathologic tubular cavity in the spinal cord or brain.
A 27-year-old stuntman is thrown out of his vehicle prematurely when the car used for a particular scene speeds out of control. His spinal cord is crushed at the level of the fourth lumbar spinal segment. Which of the following structures would most likely be spared from destruction? (A) Dorsal horn (B) Ventral horn (C) Lateralhorn (D) Gray matter (E) Pia mater
The Answer is C. The lateral horns, which contain sympathetic preganglionic neuron cell bodies, are present between the first thoracic and second lumbar spinal cord levels (T1-L2). The lateral horns of the second, third, and fourth sacral spinal cord levels (S2-S4) contain parasympathetic preganglionic neuron cell bodies. The entire spinal cord is sur- rounded by the pia mater and has the dorsal horn, ventral horn, and gray matter. Note that the fourth lumbar spinal cord level is not the same as the fourth vertebral level.
A 42-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer is known to have tumors in the intervertebral foramina between the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae and between the fourth and fifth thoracic vertebrae. Which of the following spinal nerves may be damaged? (A) Fourth cervical and fourth thoracic nerves (B) Fifth cervical and fifth thoracic nerves (C) Fourth cervical and fifth thoracic nerves (D) Fifth cervical and fourth thoracic nerves (E) Third cervical and fourth thoracic nerves
The Answer is D. All cervical spinal nerves exit through the intervertebral foramina above the corresponding vertebrae, except the eighth cervical nerves, which run inferior to the seventh cervical vertebra. All other spinal nerves exit the intervertebral foramina below the corresponding vertebrae. Therefore, the fifth cervical nerve passes between the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae, and the fourth thoracic nerve runs between the fourth and fifth thoracic vertebrae.
During an outbreak of meningitis at a local college, a 20-year-old student presents to a hospital emergency department complaining of headache, fever, chills, and stiff neck. On examination, it appears that he may have meningitis and needs a lumbar puncture or a spinal tap. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is normally withdrawn from which of the following spaces? (A) Epidural space (B) Subdural space (C) Space between the spinal cord and the pia mater (D) Subarachnoid space (E) Space between the arachnoid and dura maters
The Answer is D. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is found in the subarachnoid space, which is a wide interval between the arachnoid layer and the pia mater. The epidural space contains the internal vertebral venous plexus and epidural fat. The subdural space between the arachnoid and the dura contains a little fluid to moisten the meningeal surface. The pia mater closely covers the spinal cord and enmeshes blood vessels on the surfaces of the spinal cord. Thus, the space between the spinal cord and the pia is a potential space.
A 27-year-old mountain climber falls from a steep rock wall and is brought to the emergency department. His physical examination and computed tomography (CT) scan reveal dislocation fracture of the upper thoracic vertebrae. The fractured body of the T4 vertebra articulates with which of the following parts of the ribs? (A) Head of the third rib (B) Neck of the fourth rib (C) Tubercle of the fourth rib (D) Head of the fifth rib (E) Tubercle of the fifth rib
The Answer is D. The body of vertebra T4 articulates with the heads of the fourth and fifth ribs. The body of the T3 vertebra articulates with the head of the third and fourth ribs. The neck of a rib does not articulate with any part of the vertebra. The transverse process of the vertebra articulates with the tubercle of the corresponding rib. Therefore, the transverse process of vertebra T4 articulates with the tubercle of the fourth rib.
An elderly man at a nursing home is known to have degenerative brain disease. When cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is withdrawn by lumbar puncture for further examination, which of the following structures is most likely penetrated by the needle? (A) Pia mater (B) Filum terminale externum (C) Posterior longitudinal ligament (D) Ligamentum flavum (E) Annulus fibrosus
The Answer is D. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is located in the subarachnoid space, between the arachnoid layer and the pia mater. In a lumbar puncture, the needle pene- trates the skin, fascia, ligamentum flavum, epidural space, dura mater, subdural space, and arachnoid mater. The pia mater forms the internal boundary of the subarachnoid space; thus, it cannot be penetrated by needle. The posterior longitudinal ligament lies anterior to the spinal cord; thus, it is not penetrated by the needle. The filum terminale externum is the downward prolongation of the spinal dura mater from the second sacral vertebra to the dorsum of the coccyx. The annulus fibrosus consists of concentric layers of fibrous tissue and fibrocartilage surrounding and retaining the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disk, which lies anterior to the spinal cord.
A 34-year-old woman crashes into a tree during a skiing lesson and is brought to a hospital with multiple injuries that impinge the dorsal primary rami of several spinal nerves. Such lesions could affect which of the following muscles? (A) Rhomboid major (B) Levator scapulae (C) Serratusposteriorsuperior (D) Iliocostalis (E) Latissimusdorsi
The Answer is D. The dorsal primary rami of the spinal nerves innervate the deep muscles of the back, including the iliocostalis. The other muscles are the superficial muscles of the back, which are innervated by the ventral primary rami of the spinal nerves.
A 23-year-old jockey falls from her horse and complains of headache, backache, and weakness. Radiologic examination would reveal blood in which of the following spaces if the internal vertebral venous plexus was ruptured? (A) Space deep to the pia mater (B) Space between the arachnoid and dura maters (C) Subduralspace (D) Epidural space (E) Subarachnoid space
The Answer is D. The space between the vertebral canal and the dura mater is the epidural space, which contains the internal vertebral venous plexus. The spinal cord and blood vessels lie deep to the pia mater. The space between the arachnoid and dura maters is the subdural space, which contains a film of fluid. The subarachnoid space contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
A 16 year-old boy fell from a motorcycle, and his radial nerve was severely damaged because of a fracture of the midshaft of the humerus. Which of the following condi- tions would most likely result from this accident? (A) Loss of wrist extension leading to wrist drop (B) Weakness in pronating the forearm (C) Sensory loss over the ventral aspect of the base of the thumb (D) Inability to oppose the thumb (E) Inability to abduct the fingers
The answer is A. Injury to the radial nerve results in loss of wrist extension, leading to wrist drop. The median nerve innervates the pronator teres, pronator quadratus, and opponens pollicis muscles and the skin over the ventral aspect of the thumb. The ulnar nerve innervates the dorsal interosseous muscles, which act to abduct the fingers.
An 18-year-old boy involved in an auto- mobile accident presents with arm that cannot abduct. His paralysis is caused by damage to which of the following nerves? (A) Suprascapular and axillary (B) Thoracodorsal and upper subscapular (C) Axillary and musculocutaneous (D) Radial and lower subscapular (E) Suprascapular and dorsal scapular
The answer is A. The abductors of the arm are the deltoid and supraspinatus muscles, which are innervated by the axillary and suprascapular nerves, respectively. The thoraco- dorsal nerve supplies the latissimus dorsi, which can adduct, extend, and rotate the arm medially. The upper and lower subscapular nerves supply the subscapularis, and the lower subscapular nerve also supplies the teres major; both of these structures can adduct and rotate the arm medially. The musculocutaneous nerve supplies the flexors of the arm, and the radial nerve supplies the extensors of the arm. The dorsal scapular nerve supplies the levator scapulae and rhomboid muscles; these muscles elevate and adduct the scapula, respectively.
A patient bleeding from the shoulder secondary to a knife wound is in fair condi- tion because there is vascular anastomosis around the shoulder. Which of the following arteries is most likely a direct branch of the subclavian artery that is involved in the anastomosis? (A) Dorsal scapular artery (B) Thoracoacromial artery (C) Circumflex scapular artery (D) Transverse cervical artery (E) Suprascapular artery
The answer is A. The dorsal scapular artery arises directly from the third part of the sub- clavian artery and replaces the deep (descending) branch of the transverse cervical artery. The suprascapular and transverse cervical arteries are branches of the thyrocervical trunk of the subclavian artery. The thoracoacromial artery is a short trunk from the first or second part of the axillary artery and has pectoral, clavicular, acromial, and deltoid branches.
A 64-year-old man with a history of liver cirrhosis has been examined for hepatitis A, B, and C viruses. In an attempt to obtain a blood sample from the patient's median cubital vein, a registered nurse inadvertently procures arterial blood. The blood most likely comes from which of the following arteries? (A) Brachial (B) Radial (C) Ulnar (D) Common interosseous (E) Superior ulnar collateral
The answer is A. The median cubital vein lies superficial to the bicipital aponeurosis and thus separates it from the brachial artery, which can be punctured during intravenous injections and blood transfusions.
A patient with a stab wound receives a laceration of the musculocutaneous nerve. Which of the following conditions is most likely to have occurred? (A) Lack of sweating on the lateral side of the forearm (B) Inability to extend the forearm (C) Paralysis of brachioradialis muscle (D) Loss of tactile sensation on the arm (E) Constriction of blood vessels on the hand
The answer is A. The musculocutaneous nerve contains sympathetic postganglionic fibers that supply sweat glands and blood vessels on the lateral side of the forearm as the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve. The musculocutaneous nerve does not supply the exten- sors of the forearm and the brachioradialis. This nerve also supplies tactile sensation on the lateral side of the forearm but not the arm and supplies blood vessels on the lateral side of the forearm but not the hand.
A 19-year-old college student came to his doctor's office for a neurologic examination. His physician told him that normally syn- apses are absent in or on which of the following structures? (A) Anterior horn of the spinal cord (B) Dorsal root ganglia (C) Sympatheticchainganglia (D) Dendrites (E) Cellbodies
The answer is B. Dorsal root ganglia consist of cell bodies of the unipolar or pseudouni- polar neurons and have no synapses. Axosomatic and axodendritic synapses are the most common, but axoaxonal and dendrodendritic contacts are also found in many nerve tis- sues.
A 26-year-old woman has an amenorrhea, followed by uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, and pelvic mass. Her obstetrician performed a thorough examination, and the patient was diagnosed as having an ectopic pregnancy. Which of the following organs is most likely to provide a normal site of fertilization? (A) Fundus of the uterus (B) Ampulla of the uterine tube (C) Fimbriae (D) Infundibulum of the uterine tube (E) Body of the uterus
The answer is B. Fertilization occurs in the ampulla of the uterine tube, and a fertilized oocyte forms a blastocyst by day 7 after fertilization and becomes embedded or implanted in the wall of the uterus during the progestational (secretory) phase of the menstrual cycle. Fertilization is the process beginning with the penetration of the secondary oocyte by the sperm and completed by fusion of the male and female pronuclei.
A 49-year-old woman is diagnosed as having a large lump in her right breast. Lymph from the cancerous breast drains primarily into which of the following nodes? (A) Apical nodes (B) Anterior (pectoral) nodes (C) Parasternal (internal thoracic) nodes (D) Supraclavicular nodes (E) Nodes of the anterior abdominal wall
The answer is B. Lymph from the breast drains mainly (75%) to the axillary nodes, more specifically to the anterior (pectoral) nodes.
A 33-year-old male patient complains of feeling severe pain when he tries to turn his neck. A physician realizes that the problem is in his pivot (trochoid) joint. Which of the following joints would most likely be examined? (A) Atlantooccipital joint (B) Atlantoaxial joint (C) Carpometacarpaljoint (D) Proximal tibiofibular joint (E) Intervertebraldisks
The answer is B. The atlantoaxial joint is the pivot or trochoid joint. The atlantooccipital joints are the condyloid (ellipsoidal) joints, the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb is the saddle (sellar) joint, and the proximal tibiofibular joint is the plane (gliding) joint. The intervertebral disk is the secondary cartilaginous (symphysis) joint.
A 10-year-old boy falls off his bike, has difficulty in moving his shoulder, and is brought to an emergency department. His radiogram and angiogram reveal fracture of the surgical neck of his humerus and bleeding from the point of the fracture. Which of the following nerves is most likely injured as a result of this accident? (A) Musculocutaneous (B) Axillary (C) Radial (D) Median (E) Ulnar
The answer is B. The axillary nerve runs posteriorly around the surgical neck of the humerus and is vulnerable to injury such as fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus or inferior dislocation of the humerus. The other nerves listed are not in contact with the surgical neck of the humerus.
A 16-year-old patient received a stab wound, and axons of the general somatic efferent (GSE) neurons to the shoulder mus- cles were severed. The damaged axons: (A) Would carry impulses toward the cell bodies (B) Would carry impulses away from the cell bodies (C) Would carry pain impulses (D) Are several in numbers for multipolar neurons (E) Are found primarily in the gray matter
The answer is B. The axons of the neurons carry impulses away from the cell bodies, and dendrites carry impulses to the cell bodies. The axons contain sensory or motor fibers. Multipolar neurons have several dendrites and one axon. The GSE neurons do not carry sensory impulses. The gray matter of the central nervous system consists largely of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, and neuroglia, whereas the white matter consists largely of axons and neuroglia
A 27-year-old baseball player is hit on his forearm by a high-speed ball during the World Series, and the muscles that form the floor of the cubital fossa appear to be torn. Which of the following groups of muscles have lost their functions? (A) Brachioradialis and supinator (B) Brachialis and supinator (C) Pronator teres and supinator (D) Supinator and pronator quadratus (E) Brachialis and pronator teres
The answer is B. The brachialis and supinator muscles form the floor of the cubital fossa. The brachioradialis and pronator teres muscles form the lateral and medial boundaries, respectively. The pronator quadratus is attached to the distal ends of the radius and the ulna.
A 22-year-old man presented to his family physician with a laceration of the fibrous sheets or bands that cover his body under the skin and invest the muscles. Which of the following structures would most likely be injured? (A) Tendon (B) Fascia (C) Synovial tendon sheath (D) Aponeurosis (E) Ligament
The answer is B. The fascia is a fibrous sheet or band that covers the body under the skin and invests the muscles. Although they are fibrous, tendons connect muscles to bones or cartilage, aponeuroses serve as the means of origin or insertion of a flat muscle, and liga- ments connect bones to bones or cartilage. Synovial tendon sheets are tubular sacs filled with synovial fluid that wrap around the tendons.
A 37-year-old female patient has a fracture of the clavicle. The junction of the middle and lateral thirds of the bone exhibits overriding of the medial and lateral fragments. Which of the following conditions is most likely to occur secondary to the frac- tured clavicle? (A) A fatal hemorrhage from the brachio- cephalic vein (B) Thrombosis of the subclavian vein, causing a pulmonary embolism (C) Thrombosis of the subclavian artery, causing an embolism in the ascending aorta (D) Damage to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus (E) Damage to the long thoracic nerve, causing the winged scapula
The answer is B. The fractured clavicle may damage the subclavian vein, resulting in a pulmonary embolism; cause thrombosis of the subclavian artery, resulting in embolism of the brachial artery; or damage the lower trunk of the brachial plexus.
A 27-year-old woman involved in a car accident is brought into the emergency department. Her magnetic resonance imag- ing reveals that she has a laceration of the spinal cord at the L4 spinal cord level. Which of the following structures would you expect to be intact? (A) Dorsal horn (B) Lateral horn (C) Ventralhorn (D) Gray matter (E) Whitematter
The answer is B. The lateral horns are found in the gray matter of the spinal cord between T1 and L2 and also between S2 and S4. Therefore, the lateral horns are absent at the L4 spinal cord level.
A 10-year-old boy falls off his bike, has difficulty in moving his shoulder, and is brought to an emergency department. His radiogram and angiogram reveal fracture of the surgical neck of his humerus and bleeding from the point of the fracture. Following this accident, the boy has weakness in rotating his arm laterally. Which of the following muscles are paralyzed? (A) Teres major and teres minor (B) Teres minor and deltoid (C) Infraspinatus and deltoid (D) Supraspinatus and subscapularis (E) Teres minor and infraspinatus
The answer is B. The lateral rotators of the arm include the teres minor, deltoid, and infra- spinatus muscles, but the infraspinatus muscle is innervated by the suprascapular nerve.
A 23-year-old man complains of numb- ness on the medial side of the arm following a stab wound in the axilla. On examination, he is diagnosed with an injury of his medial brachial cutaneous nerve. In which of the following structures are the cell bodies of the damaged nerve involved in numbness located? (A) Sympathetic chain ganglion (B) Dorsal root ganglion (C) Anterior horn of the spinal cord (D) Lateral horn of the spinal cord (E) Posterior horn of the spinal cord
The answer is B. The medial brachial cutaneous nerve contains sensory (general somatic afferent [GSA]) fibers that have cell bodies in the dorsal root ganglia, and an injury of these GSA fibers causes numbness of the medial side of the arm. It also contains sympathetic postganglionic fibers that have cell bodies in the sympathetic chain ganglia. The anterior horn of the spinal cord contains cell bodies of skeletal motor (general somatic efferent [GSE]) fibers, and the lateral horn contains cell bodies of sympathetic preganglionic fibers. The posterior horn contains cell bodies of interneurons.
A 64-year-old man with a history of liver cirrhosis has been examined for hepatitis A, B, and C viruses. In an attempt to obtain a blood sample from the patient's median cubital vein, a registered nurse inadvertently procures arterial blood. During the procedure, the needle hits a nerve medial to the artery. Which of the following nerves is most likely damaged? (A) Radial (B) Median (C) Ulnar (D) Lateralantebrachial (E) Medialantebrachial
The answer is B. The median nerve is damaged because it lies medial to the brachial artery. The bicipital aponeurosis lies on the brachial artery and the median nerve. The V-shaped cubital fossa contains (from medial to lateral) the median nerve, brachial artery, biceps tendon, and radial nerve. The ulnar nerve runs behind the medial epicondyle; the lateral and medial antebrachial cutaneous nerves are not closely related to the brachial artery.
A17-year-old boy is injured in an automobile accident. He has a fracture of the shaft of the humerus. Which of the following nerves is most likely damaged? (A) Axillary nerve (B) Radial nerve (C) Musculocutaneous nerve (D) Median nerve (E) Ulnar nerve
The answer is B. The radial nerve runs in the radial groove on the back of the shaft of the humerus with the profunda brachii artery. The axillary nerve passes around the surgical neck of the humerus. The ulnar nerve passes the back of the medial epicondyle. The mus- culocutaneous and median nerves are not in contact with the bone, but the median nerve can be damaged by supracondylar fracture.
A 53-year-old man with a known history of emphysema is examined in the emergency department. Laboratory findings along with examination indicate that the patient is una- ble to exchange oxygen in the air and carbon dioxide in the blood. This exchange occurs in which portion of the respiratory system? (A) Bronchi (B) Alveolar (air) sac (C) Nasal cavity (D) Larynx (E) Trachea
The answer is B. The respiratory portion of the lung contains the alveolar (air) sacs or alveoli, which are surrounded by networks of pulmonary capillaries. Oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange occurs across the thin walls of the alveoli and blood capillaries with the aid of the diaphragm and thoracic cage. The nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, and bronchi are air-conducting portions.
A 29-year-old woman with abdominal pain was admitted to a local hospital, and examination shows that a retroperitoneal infection is affecting a purely endocrine gland. Which of the following structures is infected? (A) Ovary (B) Suprarenal gland (C) Pancreas (D) Liver (E) Stomach
The answer is B. The suprarenal gland is a retroperitoneal organ and is a purely endocrine gland. The pancreas is a retroperitoneal organ and contains endocrine cells, but it is not a purely endocrine gland. The liver and stomach contain endocrine cells, but they are not purely endocrine glands and also are surrounded by peritoneum. The ovary contains endocrine cells and is located in the pelvic cavity.
A 21-year-old patient has a lesion of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus (Erb- Duchenne paralysis). Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis? (A) Paralysis of the rhomboid major (B) Inability to elevate the arm above the horizontal (C) Arm tending to lie in medial rotation (D) Loss of sensation on the medial side of the arm (E) Inability to adduct the thumb
The answer is C. A lesion of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus results in a condition called "waiter's tip hand," in which the arm tends to lie in medial rotation because of paralysis of lateral rotators and abductors of the arm. The long thoracic nerve, which arises from the root (C5-C7) of the brachial plexus, innervates the serratus anterior muscle that can elevate the arm above the horizontal. The dorsal scapular nerve, which arises from the root (C5), innervates the rhomboid major. The medial side of the arm receives cutaneous innervation from the medial brachial cutaneous nerve of the medial cord. The adductor pollicis is innervated by the ulnar nerve.
A 46-year-old male patient with high blood pressure was examined in the emergency department, and his physician found a leakage of blood from the blood vessel that normally carries richly oxygenated blood. Which of the following vessels would most likely be damaged? (A) Superior vena cava (B) Pulmonary arteries (C) Pulmonaryveins (D) Portal vein (E) Coronarysinus
The answer is C. Pulmonary veins return oxygenated blood to the heart from the lungs. Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygen renewal. The portal vein carries deoxygenated blood with nutrients from the intestine to the liver. The superior vena cava and coronary sinus carry deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.
A patient presents with a loss of sensation to the skin over the shoulder. Injury to which of the following nerve cells would most likely affect the conduction of sensory information to the central nervous system? (A) Multipolar neurons (B) Bipolar neurons (C) Unipolarorpseudounipolarneurons (D) Neurons in the ventral horn (E) Neuronsinsympatheticchainganglia
The answer is C. Sensation from the skin is carried by GSA fibers, and their cells are uni- polar or pseudounipolar types located in the dorsal root ganglia. Multipolar neurons and neurons in the ventral horn and in sympathetic chain ganglia are motor neurons. Bipolar neurons are sensory neurons, but they are not somatic sensory neurons.
A 10-year-old boy falls off his bike, has difficulty in moving his shoulder, and is brought to an emergency department. His radiogram and angiogram reveal fracture of the surgical neck of his humerus and bleeding from the point of the fracture. Following this accident, the damaged nerve causes difficulty in abduction, extension, and lateral rotation of his arm. Cell bodies of the injured nerve involved in movement of his arm are located in which of the following structures? (A) Dorsal root ganglion (B) Sympathetic chain ganglion (C) Anterior horn of the spinal cord (D) Lateral horn of the spinal cord (E) Posterior horn of the spinal cord
The answer is C. The (injured) axillary nerve contains GSE fibers whose cell bodies are located in the anterior horn of the spinal cord, and these GSE fibers supply the deltoid and teres minor muscles. The axillary nerve also contains GSA and GVA fibers, whose cell bodies are located in the dorsal root ganglia, and sympathetic postganglionic fibers, whose cell bodies are located in sympathetic chain ganglia. The lateral horn of the spinal cord between T1 and L2 contains cell bodies of sympathetic preganglionic fibers. The posterior horn of the spinal cord contains cell bodies of interneurons.
A patient with a deep stab wound in the middle of the forearm has impaired move- ment of the thumb. Examination indicates a lesion of the anterior interosseous nerve. Which of the following muscles is paralyzed? (A) Flexor pollicis longus and brevis (B) Flexor pollicis longus and opponens pollicis (C) Flexor digitorum profundus and pronator quadratus (D) Flexor digitorum profundus and superfi- cialis (E) Flexor pollicis brevis and pronator quad- ratus
The answer is C. The anterior interosseous nerve is a branch of the median nerve and sup- plies the flexor pollicis longus, half of the flexor digitorum profundus, and the pronator quadratus. The median nerve supplies the pronator teres, flexor digitorum superficialis, palmaris longus, and flexor carpi radialis muscles. A muscular branch (the recurrent branch) of the median nerve innervates the thenar muscles.
A 17-year-old boy fell from his motorcy- cle and complains of numbness of the lat- eral part of the arm. Examination reveals that the axillary nerve is severed. Which of the following types of axons is most likely spared? (A) Postganglionic sympathetic axons (B) Somatic afferent axons (C) Preganglionic sympathetic axons (D) General somatic efferent axons (E) General visceral afferent axons
The answer is C. The axillary nerve contains no preganglionic sympathetic general visceral efferent (GVE) fibers, but it contains postganglionic sympathetic GVE fibers. The axillary nerve also contains GSA, GSE, and general visceral afferent (GVA) fibers.
A 12-year-old boy walks in; he fell out of a tree and fractured the upper portion of his humerus. Which of the following nerves are intimately related to the humerus and are most likely to be injured by such a fracture? (A) Axillary and musculocutaneous (B) Radial and ulnar (C) Radial and axillary (D) Median and musculocutaneous (E) Median and ulnar
The answer is C. The axillary nerve passes posteriorly around the surgical neck of the humerus, and the radial nerve lies in the radial groove of the middle of the shaft of the humerus. The ulnar nerve passes behind the medial epicondyle, and the median nerve is vulnerable to injury by supracondylar fracture of the humerus, but these nerves lie close to or in contact with the lower portion of the humerus. The musculocutaneous nerve is not in direct contact with the humerus.
A secretary comes in to your office com- plaining of pain in her wrists from typing all day. You determine that she likely has carpal tunnel syndrome. Which of the following conditions would help you determine the diagnosis? (A) Inability to adduct the little finger (B) Inability to flex the DIP joint of the ring finger (C) Flattened thenar eminence (D) Loss of skin sensation of the medial one and one-half fingers (E) Atrophied adductor pollicis muscle
The answer is C. The carpal tunnel contains the median nerve and the tendons of flexor pollicis longus, flexor digitorum profundus, and flexor digitorum superficialis muscles. Carpal tunnel syndrome results from injury to the median nerve, which supplies the the- nar muscle. Thus, injury to this nerve causes the flattened thenar eminence. The middle finger has no attachment for the adductors. The ulnar nerve innervates the medial half of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle, which allows flexion of the DIP joints of the ring and little fingers. The ulnar nerve supplies the skin over the medial one and one-half fin- gers and adductor pollicis muscle.
An automobile body shop worker has his middle finger crushed while working on a transmission. Which of the following mus- cles is most likely to retain function? (A) Extensor digitorum (B) Flexor digitorum profundus (C) Palmar interosseous (D) Dorsal interosseous (E) Lumbrical
The answer is C. The extensor digitorum, flexor digitorum profundus, dorsal interosseous, and lumbrical muscles are attached to the middle digit, but no palmar interosseous mus- cle is attached to the middle digit.
A 29-year-old patient comes in; he can- not flex the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of the index finger. His physician determines that he has nerve damage from a supra- condylar fracture. Which of the following conditions is also a symptom of this nerve damage? (A) Inability to flex the DIP joint of the ring finger (B) Atrophy of the hypothenar eminence (C) Loss of sensation over the distal part of the second digit (D) Paralysis of all the thumb muscles (E) Loss of supination
The answer is C. The flexor digitorum profundus muscle flexes the DIP joints of the index and middle fingers and is innervated by the median nerve, which also supplies sensation over the distal part of the second digit. The same muscle flexes the DIP joints of the ring and little fingers but receives innervation from the ulnar nerve, which also innervates the hypothenar muscles. The median nerve innervates the thenar muscles. The radial nerve innervates the supinator, abductor pollicis longus, and extensor pollicis longus and brevis muscles. The ulnar nerve innervates the adductor pollicis. The musculocutaneous nerve supplies the biceps brachii that can supinate the arm.
A 7-year-old girl comes to the emergency department with severe diarrhea. Tests show that the diarrhea is due to decreased capac- ity of normal absorption in one of her organs. Which of the following organs is involved? (A) Stomach (B) Gallbladder (C) Largeintestine (D) Liver (E) Pancreas
The answer is C. The large intestine absorbs water, salts, and electrolytes. Hence, the patient's diarrhea stems from an absorption problem. The stomach mixes food with mucus and gastric juice, which contains hydrochloric acid and enzymes, and forms chyme. The gallbladder receives bile, concentrates it, and stores it. The liver produces bile, whereas the pancreas secretes pancreatic juice, which contains digestive enzymes and which releases hormones, such as insulin and glucagon.
A 21-year-old woman walks in with a shoulder and arm injury after falling during horseback riding. Examination indicates that she cannot adduct her arm because of paralysis of which of the following muscles? (A) Teres minor (B) Supraspinatus (C) Latissimus dorsi (D) Infraspinatus (E) Serratus anterior
The answer is C. The latissimus dorsi adducts the arm, and the supraspinatus muscle abducts the arm. The infraspinatus and the teres minor rotate the arm laterally. The serra- tus anterior rotates the glenoid cavity of the scapula upward, abducts the arm, and ele- vates it above a horizontal position.
A 27-year-old pianist with a known car- pal tunnel syndrome experiences difficulty in finger movements. Which of the following intrinsic muscles of her hand is paralyzed? (A) Palmar interossei and adductor pollicis (B) Dorsal interossei and lateral two lumbricals (C) Lateral two lumbricals and opponenspollicis (D) Abductor pollicis brevis and palmar interossei (E) Medial two and lateral two lumbricals
The answer is C. The median nerve innervates the abductor pollicis brevis, opponens pol- licis, and two lateral lumbricals. The ulnar nerve innervates all interossei (palmar and dor- sal), the adductor pollicis, and the two medial lumbricals.
A patient with Bennett's fracture (a frac- ture of the base of the first metacarpal bone) experiences an impaired thumb movement. Which of the following intrinsic muscles of the thumb is most likely injured? (A) Abductor pollicis brevis (B) Flexor pollicis brevis (superficial head) (C) Opponens pollicis (D) Adductor pollicis (E) Flexor pollicis brevis (deep head)
The answer is C. The opponens pollicis inserts on the first metacarpal. All other intrinsic muscles of the thumb, including the abductor pollicis brevis, the flexor pollicis brevis, and the adductor pollicis muscles, insert on the proximal phalanges.
A 27-year-old patient presents with an inability to draw the scapula forward and downward because of paralysis of the pecto- ralis minor. Which of the following would most likely be a cause of his condition? (A) Fracture of the clavicle (B) Injury to the posterior cord of the brachial plexus (C) Fracture of the coracoid process (D) Axillary nerve injury (E) Defects in the posterior wall of the axilla
The answer is C. The pectoralis minor inserts on the coracoid process, originates from the second to the fifth ribs, and is innervated by the medial and lateral pectoral nerves that arise from the medial and lateral cords of the brachial plexus. It depresses the shoulder and forms the anterior wall of the axilla. The pectoralis minor has no attachment on the clavicle.
A 10-year-old boy falls off his bike, has difficulty in moving his shoulder, and is brought to an emergency department. His radiogram and angiogram reveal fracture of the surgical neck of his humerus and bleeding from the point of the fracture. This accident most likely leads to damage of which of the following arteries? (A) Axillary (B) Deep brachial (C) Posterior humeral circumflex (D) Superior ulnar collateral (E) Scapular circumflex
The answer is C. The posterior humeral circumflex artery accompanies the axillary nerve that passes around the surgical neck of the humerus. None of the other arteries are involved.
A 17-year-old boy with a stab wound received multiple injuries on the upper part of the arm and required surgery. If the bra- chial artery were ligated at its origin, which of the following arteries would supply blood to the profunda brachii artery? (A) Lateral thoracic (B) Subscapular (C) Posterior humeral circumflex (D) Superior ulnar collateral (E) Radial recurrent
The answer is C. The posterior humeral circumflex artery anastomoses with an ascending branch of the profunda brachii artery, whereas the lateral thoracic and subscapular arter- ies do not. The superior ulnar collateral and radial recurrent arteries arise inferior to the origin of the profunda brachii artery.
A17-year-old boy is injured in an automobile accident. He has a fracture of the shaft of the humerus. Which of the following arteries may be damaged? (A) Brachial artery (B) Posterior humeral circumflex artery (C) Profunda brachii artery (D) Radial artery (E) Radial recurrent artery
The answer is C. The radial nerve accompanies the profunda brachii artery in the radial groove on the posterior aspect of the shaft of the humerus. The posterior humeral circum- flex artery accompanies the axillary nerve around the surgical neck of the humerus. Other arteries are not associated with the radial groove of the humerus.
A patient has a torn rotator cuff of the shoulder joint as the result of an automobile accident. Which of the following muscle tendons is intact and has normal function? (A) Supraspinatus (B) Subscapularis (C) Teres major (D) Teres minor (E) Infraspinatus
The answer is C. The rotator cuff consists of the tendons of the supraspinatus, infraspina- tus, subscapularis, and teres minor muscles. It stabilizes the shoulder joint by holding the head of the humerus in the glenoid cavity during movement. The teres major inserts on the medial lip of the intertubercular groove of the humerus.
A rock climber falls on his shoulder, resulting in a chipping off of the lesser tubercle of the humerus. Which of the fol- lowing structures would most likely have structural and functional damage? (A) Supraspinatus muscle (B) Infraspinatus muscle (C) Subscapularis muscle (D) Teres minor muscle (E) Coracohumeral ligament
The answer is C. The subscapularis muscle inserts on the lesser tubercle of the humerus. The supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles insert on the greater tubercle of the humerus. The coracohumeral ligament attaches to the greater tubercle.
A 22-year-old female Macarena dancer fell from the stage and complains of elbow pain and inability to supinate her forearm. Which of the following nerves are most likely injured from this accident? (A) Median and ulnar nerves (B) Axillary and radial nerves (C) Radial and musculocutaneous nerves (D) Ulnar and axillary nerves (E) Musculocutaneous and median nerves
The answer is C. The supinator and biceps brachii muscles supinate the forearm. The supinator is innervated by the radial nerve, and the biceps brachii is innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve.
A 31-year-old roofer walks in with teno- synovitis resulting from a deep penetrated wound in the palm by a big nail. Examina- tion indicates that he has an infection in the ulnar bursa. This infection most likely resulted in necrosis of which of the following tendons? (A) Tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris (B) Tendon of the flexor pollicis longus (C) Tendon of the flexor digitorum profundus (D) Tendon of the flexor carpi radialis (E) Tendon of the palmaris longus
The answer is C. The ulnar bursa, or common synovial flexor sheath, contains the tendons of both the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus muscles. The radial bursa envel- ops the tendon of the flexor pollicis longus. The tendons of the flexor carpi ulnaris and the palmaris longus are not contained in the ulnar bursa.
A 27-year-old man with cubital tunnel syndrome complains of numbness and tin- gling in the ring and little finger and back and sides of his hand because of damage to a nerve in the tunnel at the elbow. Which of the following muscles is most likely to be paralyzed? (A) Flexor digitorum superficialis (B) Opponens pollicis (C) Two medial lumbricals (D) Pronator teres (E) Supinator
The answer is C. The ulnar nerve innervates the two medial lumbricals. However, the median nerve innervates the two lateral lumbricals, the flexor digitorum superficialis, the opponens pollicis, and the pronator teres muscles.
A man is unable to hold typing paper between his index and middle fingers. Which of the following nerves was likely injured? (A) Radial nerve (B) Median nerve (C) Ulnar nerve (D) Musculocutaneous nerve (E) Axillary nerve
The answer is C. To hold a typing paper, the index finger is adducted by the palmar inter- osseous muscle, and the middle finger is abducted by the dorsal interosseous muscle. Both muscles are innervated by the ulnar nerve.
A17-year-old boy is injured in an automobile accident. He has a fracture of the shaft of the humerus. After this accident, supination is still possible through contraction of which of the following muscles? (A) Supinator (B) Pronator teres (C) Brachioradialis (D) Biceps brachii (E) Supraspinatus
The answer is D. A lesion of the radial nerve causes paralysis of the supinator and brachio- radialis. The biceps brachii muscle is a flexor of the elbow and also a strong supinator; thus, supination is still possible through action of the biceps brachii muscle. Other mus- cles cannot supinate the forearm.
A 10-year-old boy falls off his bike, has difficulty in moving his shoulder, and is brought to an emergency department. His radiogram and angiogram reveal fracture of the surgical neck of his humerus and bleeding from the point of the fracture. The damaged nerve causes numbness of the lateral side of the arm. Cell bodies of the injured nerve fibers involved in sensory loss are located in which of the following struc- tures? (A) Anterior horn of the spinal cord (B) Posterior horn of the spinal cord (C) Lateral horn of the spinal cord (D) Dorsal root ganglia (E) Sympathetic chain ganglia
The answer is D. Axillary nerve contains GSE, GSA, GVA, and sympathetic postganglionic GVE fibers. Cell bodies of GSA and GVA fibers are located in the dorsal root ganglia. Cell bodies of GSE fibers are located in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. Cell bodies of sympathetic postganglionic GVE fibers are located in the sympathetic chain ganglia, but cell bodies of sympathetic preganglionic GVE fibers lie in the lateral horn of the spinal cord.
During a breast examination of a 56-year-old woman, the physician found a palpable mass in her breast. Which of the following characteristics of breast cancer and its diagnosis is correct? (A) Elevated nipple (B) Polymastia (C) Shortening of the clavipectoral fascia (D) Dimpling of the overlying skin (E) Enlargement of the breast
The answer is D. Breast cancer may cause dimpling of the overlying skin because of short- ening of the suspensory (Cooper's) ligaments and inverted or retracted nipple because of pulling on the lactiferous ducts. Polymastia is a condition in which more than two breasts are present.
A 7-year-old boy falls from a tree house and is brought to the emergency department of a local hospital. On examination, he has weakness in rotating his arm laterally because of an injury of a nerve. Which of the following conditions is most likely to cause a loss of this nerve function? (A) Injury to the lateral cord of the brachial plexus (B) Fracture of the anatomic neck of the humerus (C) Knife wound on the teres major muscle (D) Inferior dislocation of the head of the humerus (E) A tumor in the triangular space in the shoulder region
The answer is D. Inferior dislocation of the head of the humerus may damage the axillary nerve, which arises from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus, runs through the quad- rangular space accompanied by the posterior humeral circumflex vessels around the sur- gical neck of the humerus, and supplies the deltoid and teres minor, which are lateral rotators of the arm.
The police bring in a murder suspect who has been in a gunfight with a police officer. The suspect was struck by a bullet in the arm; his median nerve has been dam- aged. Which of the following symptoms is likely produced by this nerve damage? (A) Waiter's tip hand (B) Claw hand (C) Wrist drop (D) Ape hand (E) Flattening of the hypothenar eminence
The answer is D. Injury to the median nerve produces the ape hand (a hand with the thumb permanently extended). Injury to the radial nerve results in loss of wrist extension, leading to wrist drop. Damage to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus produces waiter's tip hand. A claw hand and flattening of the hypothenar eminence or atrophy of the hypothenar muscles result from damage to the ulnar nerve.
A 36-year-old woman received a first- degree burn on her neck, arm, and forearm from a house fire. Which of the following skin structures or functions is most likely damaged or impaired? (A) GSE nerves (B) Parasympathetic general visceral efferent nerves (C) Trophic hormone production (D) Exocrine gland secretion (E) VitaminAproduction
The answer is D. Skin has sweat glands and sebaceous glands, which are exocrine glands. Skin produces vitamin D, but it does not produce a trophic hormone and does not pro- duce vitamin A. In addition, skin contains no GSE and parasympathetic GVE nerve fibers.
On the basis of the examination at her doctor's office, a patient is told that her parasympathetic nerves are damaged. Which of the following muscles would most likely be affected? (A) Muscles in the hair follicles (B) Muscles in blood vessels (C) Muscles that act at the elbow joint (D) Muscles in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (E) Muscles enclosed by epimysium
The answer is D. Smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract are innervated by both par- asympathetic and sympathetic nerves. Smooth muscles in the wall of the blood vessels and arrector pili muscles in hair follicles are innervated only by sympathetic nerves. Mus- cles that act at the elbow joint and muscles enclosed by epimysium are skeletal muscles that are innervated by somatic motor (general somatic efferent [GSE]) nerves.
A man injures his wrist on broken glass. Which of the following structures entering the palm superficial to the flexor retinacu- lum may be damaged? (A) Ulnar nerve and median nerve (B) Median nerve and flexor digitorum pro fundus (C) Median nerve and flexor pollicis longus (D) Ulnar artery and ulnar nerve (E) Ulnar nerve and flexor digitorum superficialis
The answer is D. Structures entering the palm superficial to the flexor retinaculum include the ulnar nerve, ulnar artery, palmaris longus tendon, and palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve. The median nerve, the flexor pollicis longus, and the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus run deep to the flexor retinaculum.
A17-year-old boy is injured in an automobile accident. He has a fracture of the shaft of the humerus. As a result of this fracture, the patient shows lack of sweating on the back of the arm and forearm. Cell bodies of the damaged nerve fibers involved in sweating are located in which of the following structures? (A) Anterior horn of the spinal cord (B) Posterior horn of the spinal cord (C) Lateral horn of the spinal cord (D) Sympathetic chain ganglion (E) Dorsal root ganglion
The answer is D. The (damaged) radial nerve contains sympathetic postganglionic nerve fibers whose cell bodies are located in the sympathetic chain ganglion. Sympathetic postganglionic fibers supply sweat glands, blood vessels, and hair follicles (arrector pili muscles). The radial nerve also contains GSE fibers whose cell bodies are located in the anterior horn of the spinal cord, and GSA and GVA fibers whose cell bodies are located in the dorsal root ganglion. The lateral horn of the spinal cord between T1 and L2 contains cell bodies of sympathetic preganglionic nerve fibers.
A 24-year-old carpenter suffers a crush injury of his entire little finger. Which of the following muscles is most likely to be spared? (A) Flexor digitorum profundus (B) Extensor digitorum (C) Palmar interossei (D) Dorsal interossei (E) Lumbricals
The answer is D. The dorsal interossei are abductors of the fingers. The little finger has no attachment for the dorsal interosseous muscle because it has its own abductor. Therefore, the dorsal interosseous muscle is not affected. Other muscles are attached to the little fin- ger, thus they are injured.
A patient comes in complaining that she cannot flex her proximal interphalangeal joints. Which of the following muscles appear(s) to be paralyzed on further exami- nation of her finger? (A) Palmar interossei (B) Dorsal interossei (C) Flexor digitorum profundus (D) Flexor digitorum superficialis (E) Lumbricals
The answer is D. The flexor digitorum superficialis muscle flexes the proximal inter- phalangeal joints. The flexor digitorum profundus muscle flexes the DIP joints. The pal- mar and dorsal interossei and lumbricals can flex metacarpophalangeal joints and extend the interphalangeal joints. The palmar interossei adduct the fingers, and the dorsal inter- ossei abduct the fingers.
A 22-year-old patient received a stab wound in the chest that injured the intercos- tobrachial nerve. Which of the following conditions results from the described lesion of the nerve? (A) Inability to move the ribs (B) Loss of tactile sensation on the lateral aspect of the arm (C) Absence of sweating on the posterior aspect of the arm (D) Loss of sensory fibers from the second intercostal nerve (E) Damage to the sympathetic preganglionic fibers
The answer is D. The intercostobrachial nerve arises from the lateral cutaneous branch of the second intercostal nerve and pierces the intercostal and serratus anterior muscles. It may communicate with the medial brachial cutaneous nerve, and it supplies skin on the medial side of the arm. It contains no skeletal motor fibers but does contain sympathetic postganglionic fibers, which supply sweat glands
A 23-year-old woman who receives a deep cut to her ring finger by a kitchen knife is unable to move the metacarpophalangeal joint. Which of the following pairs of nerves was damaged? (A) Median and ulnar (B) Radial and median (C) Musculocutaneous and ulnar (D) Ulnar and radial (E) Radial and axillary
The answer is D. The metacarpophalangeal joint of the ring finger is flexed by the lumbri- cal, palmar, and dorsal interosseous muscles, which are innervated by the ulnar nerve. The extensor digitorum, which is innervated by the radial nerve, extends this joint. The muscu- locutaneous and axillary nerves do not supply muscles of the hand. The median nerve supplies the lateral two lumbricals, which can flex metacarpophalangeal joints of the index and middle fingers.
The victim of an automobile accident has a destructive injury of the proximal row of carpal bones. Which of the following bones is most likely damaged? (A) Capitate (B) Hamate (C) Trapezium (D) Triquetrum (E) Trapezoid
The answer is D. The proximal row of carpal bones consists of the scaphoid, lunate, tri- quetrum, and pisiform bones, whereas the distal row consists of the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate bones.
A patient complains of having pain with repeated movements of his thumb (claudi- cation). His physician performs the Allen test and finds an insufficiency of the radial artery. Which of the following conditions would be a result of the radial artery steno- sis? (A) A marked decrease in the blood flow in the superficial palmar arterial arch (B) Decreased pulsation in the artery passing superficial to the flexor retinaculum (C) Ischemia of the entire extensor muscles of the forearm (D) A marked decrease in the blood flow in the princeps pollicis artery (E) A low blood pressure in the anterior interosseous artery
The answer is D. The radial artery divides into the princeps pollicis artery and the deep palmar arterial arch. Thus, stenosis of the radial artery results in a decreased blood flow in the princeps pollicis artery. The superficial palmar arterial arch is formed primarily by the ulnar artery, which passes superficial to the flexor retinaculum. The extensor compart- ment of the forearm receives blood from the posterior interosseous artery, which arises from the common interosseous branch of the ulnar artery. However, the radial and radial recurrent arteries supply the brachioradialis and the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis.
A 14-year-old boy falls on his out- stretched hand and has a fracture of the scaphoid bone. The fracture is most likely accompanied by a rupture of which of the following arteries? (A) Brachial artery (B) Ulnar artery (C) Deep palmar arterial arch (D) Radial artery (E) Princeps pollicis artery
The answer is D. The scaphoid bone forms the floor of the anatomic snuffbox, through which the radial artery passes to enter the palm. The radial artery divides into the prin- ceps pollicis artery and the deep palmar arch.
A 37-year-old female patient has a fracture of the clavicle. The junction of the middle and lateral thirds of the bone exhibits overriding of the medial and lateral fragments. Whichofthefollowingmusclescauses upward displacement of the medial fragment? (A) Pectoralis major (B) Deltoid (C) Trapezius (D) Sternocleidomastoid (E) Scalenus anterior
The answer is D. The sternocleidomastoid muscle is attached to the superior border of the medial third of the clavicle, and the medial fragment of a fractured clavicle is displaced upward by the pull of the muscle.
A17-year-old boy is injured in an automobile accident. He has a fracture of the shaft of the humerus. Following this accident, the patient has no cutaneous sensation in which of the following areas? (A) Medial aspect of the arm (B) Lateral aspect of the forearm (C) Palmar aspect of the second and third digits (D) Area of the anatomic snuffbox (E) Medial one and one-half fingers
The answer is D. The superficial branch of the radial nerve runs distally to the dorsum of the hand to innervate the radial side of the hand, including the area of the anatomic snuff- box and the radial two and one-half digits over the proximal phalanx. The medial aspect of the arm is innervated by the medial brachial cutaneous nerve; the lateral aspect of the forearm is innervated by the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve of the musculocutane- ous nerve; the palmar aspect of the second and third digits is innervated by the median nerve; and the medial one and one-half fingers are innervated by the ulnar nerve.
A 38-year-old homebuilder was involved in an accident and is unable to supinate his forearm. Which of the following nerves are most likely damaged? (A) Suprascapular and axillary (B) Musculocutaneous and median (C) Axillary and radial (D) Radial and musculocutaneous (E) Median and ulnar
The answer is D. The supinator and biceps brachii muscles, which are innervated by the radial and musculocutaneous nerves, respectively, produce supination of the forearm. This is a question of two muscles that can supinate the forearm.
A 21-year-old man injures his right arm in an automobile accident. Radiographic examination reveals a fracture of the medial epicondyle of the humerus. Which of the following muscles is most likely paralyzed as a result of this acci- dent? (A) Extensor pollicis brevis (B) Abductor pollicis longus (C) Abductor pollicis brevis (D) Adductor pollicis (E) Opponens pollicis
The answer is D. The ulnar nerve innervates the adductor pollicis muscle. The radial nerve innervates the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis muscles, whereas the median nerve innervates the abductor pollicis brevis and opponens pollicis muscles.
A 31-year-old patient complains of sen- sory loss over the anterior and posterior sur- faces of the medial third of the hand and the medial one and one-half fingers. He is diag- nosed by a physician as having "funny bone" symptoms. Which of the following nerves is injured? (A) Axillary (B) Radial (C) Median (D) Ulnar (E) Musculocutaneous
The answer is D. The ulnar nerve supplies sensory fibers to the skin over the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the medial third of the hand and the medial one and one-half fingers. The median nerve innervates the skin of the lateral side of the palm; the palmar side of the lateral three and one-half fingers; and the dorsal side of the index finger, the middle finger, and one-half of the ring finger. The radial nerve innervates the skin of the radial side of the hand and the radial two and one-half digits over the proximal phalanx.
A 16-year-old patient received a lacera- tion of the posterior intercostal nerves by a penetrated knife blade. A pathologist obtained needle biopsy tissues and observed numerous degenerated cell bod- ies of the unipolar or pseudounipolar neu- rons. Which of the following structures would most likely provide the abnormal cell morphology? (A) Ventral horn of the spinal cord (B) Lateral horn of the spinal cord (C) Dorsalhornofthespinalcord (D) Dorsal root ganglion (E) Sympatheticchainganglion
The answer is D. Ventral, lateral, and dorsal horns and sympathetic chain ganglia contain multipolar neurons, whereas the dorsal root ganglion contains unipolar or pseudounipo- lar neurons. A laceration of the intercostal nerve injures GSE, postganglionic sympathetic general visceral efferent (GVE), general visceral afferent, and general somatic afferent (GSA) fibers, whose cell bodies are located in the anterior horn, sympathetic chain ganglia, and dorsal root ganglia.
A 29-year-old man comes in with a stab wound, cannot raise his arm above horizon- tal, and exhibits a condition known as "winged scapula." Which of the following structures of the brachial plexus would most likely be damaged? (A) Medial cord (B) Posterior cord (C) Lower trunk (D) Roots (E) Upper trunk
The answer is D. Winged scapula is caused by paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle that results from damage to the long thoracic nerve, which arises from the roots of the brachial plexus (C5-C7).
A 35-year-old man walks in with a stab wound to the most medial side of the proxi- mal portion of the cubital fossa. Which of the following structures would most likely be damaged? (A) Biceps brachii tendon (B) Radial nerve (C) Brachial artery (D) Radial recurrent artery (E) Median nerve
The answer is E. The contents of the cubital fossa from medial to lateral side are the median nerve, the brachial artery, the biceps brachii tendon, and the radial nerve. Thus, the median nerve is damaged. The radial recurrent artery ascends medial to the radial nerve.
A 16-year-old patient has weakness flex- ing the metacarpophalangeal joint of the ring finger and is unable to adduct the same finger. Which of the following muscles is most likely paralyzed? (A) Flexor digitorum profundus (B) Extensor digitorum (C) Lumbrical (D) Dorsal interosseous (E) Palmar interosseous
The answer is E. The dorsal and palmar interosseous and lumbrical muscles can flex the metacarpophalangeal joints and extend the interphalangeal joints. The palmar interos- seous muscles adduct the fingers, while the dorsal interosseous muscles abduct the fingers. The flexor digitorum profundus flexes the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints.
A 21-year-old man injures his right arm in an automobile accident. Radiographic examination reveals a fracture of the medial epicondyle of the humerus. After this injury, the patient is unable to do which of the following? (A) Flex the proximal interphalangeal joint of his ring finger (B) Flex the DIP joint of his index finger (C) Feel sensation on his middle finger (D) Abduct his thumb (E) Adduct his index finger
The answer is E. The fingers are adducted by the palmar interosseous muscles; abduction is performed by the dorsal interosseous muscles. The palmar and dorsal interosseous muscles are innervated by the ulnar nerve. The proximal interphalangeal joints are flexed by the flexor digitorum superficialis, which is innervated by the median nerve. However, the DIP joints of the index and middle fingers are flexed by the flexor digitorum profun- dus, which is innervated by the median nerve (except the medial half of the muscle, which is innervated by the ulnar nerve). The median nerve supplies sensory innervation on the palmar aspect of the middle finger. The abductor pollicis brevis is innervated by the median nerve; the abductor pollicis longus is innervated by the radial nerve.
A 37-year-old female patient has a fracture of the clavicle. The junction of the middle and lateral thirds of the bone exhibits overriding of the medial and lateral fragments. The arm is rotated medially, but it is not rotated laterally. The lateral portion of the fractured clavi- cle is displaced downward by which of the following? (A) Deltoid and trapezius muscles (B) Pectoralis major and deltoid muscles (C) Pectoralis minor muscle and gravity (D) Trapezius and pectoralis minor muscles (E) Deltoid muscle and gravity
The answer is E. The lateral fragment of the clavicle is displaced downward by the pull of the deltoid muscle and gravity. The medial fragment is displaced upward by the pull of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. None of the other muscles are involved.
A 20-year-old man fell from the parallel bar during the Olympic trial. A neurologic examination reveals that he has a lesion of the lateral cord of the brachial plexus. Which of the following muscles is most likely weak- ened by this injury? (A) Subscapularis (B) Teres major (C) Latissimus dorsi (D) Teres minor (E) Pectoralis major
The answer is E. The pectoralis major is innervated by the lateral and medial pectoral nerves originating from the lateral and medial cords of the brachial plexus, respectively. The subscapularis, teres major, latissimus dorsi, and teres minor muscles are innervated by nerves originating from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus.
A construction worker suffers a destruc- tive injury of the structures related to the anatomic snuffbox. Which of the following structures would most likely be damaged? (A) Triquetral bone (B) Trapezoid bone (C) Extensor indicis tendon (D) Abductor pollicis brevis tendon (E) Radial artery
The answer is E. The radial artery lies on the floor of the anatomic snuffbox. Other struc- tures are not related to the snuffbox. The tendons of the extensor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis, and abductor pollicis longus muscles form the boundaries of the anatomic snuffbox. The scaphoid and trapezium bones form its floor.
A patient comes in with a gunshot wound and requires surgery in which his thoracoac- romial trunk needs to be ligated. Which of the following arterial branches would main- tain normal blood flow? (A) Acromial (B) Pectoral (C) Clavicular (D) Deltoid (E) Superior thoracic
The answer is E. The superior thoracic artery is a direct branch of the axillary artery. The thoracoacromial trunk has four branches: the pectoral, clavicular, acromial, and deltoid.
A 21-year-old man injures his right arm in an automobile accident. Radiographic examination reveals a fracture of the medial epicondyle of the humerus. Which of the following nerves is most likely injured as a result of this accident? (A) Axillary (B) Musculocutaneous (C) Radial (D) Median (E) Ulnar
The answer is E. The ulnar nerve runs down the medial aspect of the arm and behind the medial epicondyle in a groove, where it is vulnerable to damage by fracture of the medial epicondyle. Other nerves are not in contact with the medial epicondyle.
A 16-year-old girl with urinary diseases comes to a local hospital. Her urologist's examination and laboratory test results reveal that she has difficulty in removing wastes from the blood and in producing urine. Which of the following organs may have abnormal functions? (A) Ureter (B) Spleen (C) Urethra (D) Bladder (E) Kidney
The answer is E. The urinary system includes the kidneys, which remove wastes from the blood and produce the urine; the ureters, which carry urine; the urinary bladder, which stores urine; and the urethra, which conveys urine from the bladder to the exterior of the body. The spleen filters blood to remove particulate matter and cellular residue, stores red blood cells, and produces lymphocytes. Because the patient is not producing urine properly, the malfunctioning organs are the kidneys.