Practice 30 MCQs on Abdomen and Pelvis Anatomy MCQs with OmpathStudy. Built for Kenyan medical and health students to revise key concepts and prepare for exams.
Q1. A midline abdominal incision below the umbilicus passes through all the following EXCEPT:
Answer: pyramidalis
Explanation: The pyramidalis muscle is not consistently present in all individuals (absent in about 20% of people) and when present, it lies within the rectus sheath but is not always encountered in midline incisions below the umbilicus. ---
Q2. The spleen:
Answer: as it enlarges, glides in contact with the anterior abdominal wall in front of the splenic flexure of the colon
Explanation: When the spleen enlarges (splenomegaly), it moves anteriorly and inferiorly, coming into contact with the anterior abdominal wall anterior to the splenic flexure of the colon. ---
Q3. Which is the most common site for the appendix found at appendicectomy?
Answer: retro-caecal
Explanation: The retro-caecal position is the most common anatomical position of the appendix, found in approximately 65% of cases. ---
Q4. The abdominal aorta:
Answer: gives rise to the coeliac artery at the level of the body of the 10th thoracic vertebra
Explanation: The coeliac trunk arises at the level of T12. The aorta enters the abdomen at T12, bifurcates at L4, and renal arteries arise at L1-L2 level. ---
Q5. With regard to the spleen, which is NOT true?
Answer: in splenomegaly, the splenic flexure of the colon lies superficial to its anterior border
Explanation: In splenomegaly, the enlarged spleen moves anteriorly and the splenic flexure of the colon lies deep (posterior) to the spleen. ---
Q6. With regard to the duodenum, which is NOT true?
Answer: the duodenal cap has plicae circulares which are often evident on x-ray
Explanation: The duodenal cap (first part of duodenum) is characteristically smooth and lacks plicae circulares. ---
Q7. The ejaculatory ducts:
Answer: have none of the above properties
Explanation: Ejaculatory ducts are formed by the union of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle ducts, lie within the prostate, open into the prostatic urethra, and contract with sympathetic stimulation. ---
Q8. The ureter passes deep to the:
Answer: gonadal artery
Explanation: The ureter passes deep (posterior) to the gonadal vessels (testicular/ovarian artery and vein) as it descends. ---
Q9. With respect to the testicle:
Answer: the appendix testis (if present) is attached to the upper pole of the testicle
Explanation: The appendix testis is a small remnant structure attached to the upper pole of the testis. ---
Q10. With regard to the spleen, which is NOT true?
Answer: it receives both sympathetic and parasympathetic supply
Explanation: The spleen receives only sympathetic innervation from the celiac plexus. ---
Q11. Regarding abdominal vascular anatomy, all of the following are true EXCEPT:
Answer: the duodenum receives no supply from the superior mesenteric artery
Explanation: The duodenum receives blood supply from the SMA via the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery. ---
Q12. With regard to the ureter, which is NOT true?
Answer: it lies just lateral to the tips of the transverse processes of L3-5
Explanation: The ureter lies medial to the tips of the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae. ---
Q13. With regard to the female pelvis, which is NOT true?
Answer: the cervix is separated from the bladder by the vesicouterine pouch
Explanation: The vesicouterine pouch is between the body of the uterus and the bladder, not between the cervix and bladder. ---
Q14. With regard to the duodenum:
Answer: the head of pancreas is wholly contained within its c-shaped loop
Explanation: Part of the pancreatic head and the uncinate process extend beyond the duodenal C-loop. ---
Q15. The transversalis fascia contributes to which of the following structures on the anterior abdominal wall?
Answer: deep inguinal ring
Explanation: The deep inguinal ring is an opening in the transversalis fascia. ---
Q16. The transpyloric plane of the abdomen (passing through the lower border of L1 vertebra) passes through:
Answer: the origin of the superior mesenteric artery
Explanation: The transpyloric plane passes through the origin of the SMA at the level of L1. ---
Q17. Afferent pain fibres for the biliary tract:
Answer: may run with the right phrenic nerve
Explanation: Gallbladder pain can be referred to the right shoulder via the right phrenic nerve. ---
Q18. With regard to the usual vasculature of the abdomen, which is NOT true?
Answer: the splenic vein mainly drains into the inferior vena cava
Explanation: The splenic vein drains into the portal vein, not the IVC. ---
Q19. Which is NOT related to the kidneys as indicated:
Answer: the splenic artery, anterior to the lower pole of the left kidney
Explanation: The splenic artery runs along the superior border of the pancreas and is not related to the lower pole of the left kidney. ---
Q20. With regard to the kidneys, which is NOT true?
Answer: in horseshoe kidneys, ureters pass behind the isthmus of the kidney substance
Explanation: In horseshoe kidneys, the ureters pass anterior to the isthmus. ---
Q21. With regard to the urethra in the young adult male, which is NOT true?
Answer: the prostatic urethra is narrower than the membranous urethra
Explanation: The membranous urethra is the narrowest part of the male urethra; the prostatic part is wider. ---
Q22. The first part of the duodenum:
Answer: partially overlies the right crus of the diaphragm and psoas muscle
Explanation: The first part of the duodenum lies at L1 and is related posteriorly to the right crus and psoas. ---
Q23. Which of the following forms the posterior wall of the inguinal canal?
Answer: conjoint tendon
Explanation: The posterior wall is formed by the conjoint tendon medially and transversalis fascia laterally. ---
Q24. Fibres of transversus abdominus arise from which part of the inguinal ligament?
Answer: lateral half
Explanation: Transversus abdominis arises from the lateral half of the inguinal ligament. ---
Q25. A patient presents with a deep stab wound high up in the costovertebral angle beneath the 12th rib on the left side. The most likely internal injury is?
Answer: pneumothorax of the left lung
Explanation: The pleura extends below the 12th rib in the costovertebral angle, making pneumothorax the most likely injury. ---
Q26. Concerning the abdominal aorta and branches:
Answer: the renal artery arises below the level of the superior mesenteric artery
Explanation: Renal arteries arise at L1-L2, while the SMA arises at L1. ---
Q27. The relations of the THIRD part of the duodenum include:
Answer: the superior mesenteric vein
Explanation: The third part of the duodenum is crossed anteriorly by the superior mesenteric vessels. ---
Q28. All of the following are true regarding the pancreas EXCEPT:
Answer: the splenic artery supplies all of the pancreas
Explanation: The head and uncinate process are supplied by pancreaticoduodenal arteries, not the splenic artery. ---
Q29. The spleen:
Answer: lymphatic drainage is to coeliac nodes
Explanation: Lymphatic drainage proceeds to pancreaticosplenic nodes and then to the coeliac nodes. ---
Q30. Regarding the kidneys:
Answer: the right kidney lies at a lower level to the left kidney
Explanation: The liver pushes the right kidney to a slightly lower position than the left.