Weekly Year 1: Anatomy Exam - May 29, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)

Question 1

A midline abdominal incision below the umbilicus passes through all the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Rectus abdominis muscle — A midline incision in the abdomen divides the skin, subcutaneous tissue, linea alba, transversalis fascia, extraperitoneal fat, and peritoneum. It does not typically involve cutting through the rectus abdominis muscle itself, but rather splitting its fibers.

Question 2

The spleen:

Accepted Answer

All of the above. — The spleen is situated in the left upper quadrant, is a major organ of the lymphatic system, and is largely covered by visceral peritoneum, except at its hilum.

Question 3

Which is the most common site for the appendix found at appendicectomy?

Accepted Answer

Retrocecal — The retrocecal position is the most common anatomical location for the appendix, though its variability is well-known.

Question 4

The abdominal aorta:

Accepted Answer

All of the above. — The abdominal aorta originates at the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm, bifurcates into the common iliac arteries at the level of L4, and gives off major unpaired visceral branches such as the celiac trunk, SMA, and IMA.

Question 5

With regard to the spleen, which is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

It drains into the inferior vena cava. — The spleen drains into the splenic vein, which is part of the portal venous system, not directly into the inferior vena cava.

Question 6

With regard to the duodenum, which is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

It is mostly retroperitoneal. — While the second, third, and fourth parts of the duodenum are retroperitoneal, the first part is intraperitoneal.

Question 7

The ejaculatory ducts:

Accepted Answer

All of the above. — The ejaculatory ducts are formed by the fusion of the vas deferens and the duct of the seminal vesicle, traverse the prostate, and empty into the prostatic urethra at the seminal colliculus.

Question 8

The ureter passes deep to the:

Accepted Answer

Common iliac artery — The ureters pass posterior to the common iliac arteries (or external and internal iliac arteries as they bifurcate) as they descend towards the pelvis.

Question 9

With respect to the testicle:

Accepted Answer

All of the above. — The testicle originates from the gonadal ridge, undergoes descent through the inguinal canal, and is suspended by the spermatic cord.

Question 10

Regarding abdominal vascular anatomy, all of the following are true EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The splenic artery supplies the stomach and spleen. — The inferior mesenteric artery typically supplies the distal third of the transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum, not the ascending colon.

Question 11

With regard to the ureter, which is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

It is completely covered by peritoneum. — The ureters are muscular tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. They are retroperitoneal for most of their length and are not completely covered by peritoneum.

Question 12

With regard to the female pelvis, which is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

The ovaries are suspended by the suspensory ligament of the ovary. — The ovaries are primarily suspended by the mesovarium (part of the broad ligament) and the ovarian ligament, not the suspensory ligament of the ovary (which contains the ovarian vessels).

Question 13

Tensor fasciae latae is supplied by:

Accepted Answer

Superior gluteal nerve — The tensor fasciae latae muscle is innervated by the superior gluteal nerve.

Question 14

Which structure is intrasynovial at the knee joint:

Accepted Answer

Anterior cruciate ligament — Both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments are considered intrasynovial at the knee joint, meaning they are covered by the synovial membrane, although they are extrasynovial in the strictest sense as they lie within the joint capsule but outside the synovial cavity.

Question 15

The 'screw-home' movement in extension of the knee joint begins with tightening of the:

Accepted Answer

Popliteus — The 'screw-home' mechanism is initiated by the popliteus muscle, which laterally rotates the femur on the tibia during the final degrees of knee extension.

Question 16

Tibialis anterior:

Accepted Answer

All of the above. — Tibialis anterior is a primary dorsiflexor of the foot, innervated by the deep peroneal nerve, and is located on the anterior aspect of the lower leg.

Question 17

The adductor canal:

Accepted Answer

All of the above. — The adductor canal (also known as Hunter's canal) is a fascial tunnel in the medial thigh that transmits the femoral artery and vein, and the saphenous nerve.

Question 18

The great saphenous vein:

Accepted Answer

All of the above. — The great saphenous vein is the longest superficial vein in the body, draining into the femoral vein at the saphenofemoral junction.

Question 19

Regarding the femoral artery:

Accepted Answer

All of the above. — The femoral artery is a continuation of the external iliac artery, traverses the adductor canal, and branches into the profunda femoris artery.

Question 20

Gluteus maximus:

Accepted Answer

All of the above. — Gluteus maximus is the largest gluteal muscle, plays a major role in hip extension, and is innervated by the inferior gluteal nerve.

Question 21

Regarding the adductor compartment:

Accepted Answer

All of the above. — The adductor compartment contains multiple muscles responsible for hip adduction. Adductor longus and magnus are key examples, with specific innervation patterns.

Question 22

Which vessel is NOT involved in the trochanteric anastomosis?

Accepted Answer

Inferior gluteal artery — The trochanteric anastomosis (around the greater trochanter) is primarily formed by branches of the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries and the first perforating artery. The inferior gluteal artery is more involved in the cruciate anastomosis.

Question 23

The sciatic nerve:

Accepted Answer

All of the above. — The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, formed from spinal nerves L4 through S3, and typically divides into the tibial and common fibular nerves in the thigh.

Question 24

Which is the odd one out?

Accepted Answer

Ejaculatory duct — The epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicle are all parts of the male reproductive tract involved in sperm transport and storage, or fluid production. The ejaculatory duct is the terminal structure formed by the union of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle duct, and its primary role is to convey semen into the urethra.

Question 25

What cranial nerve supplies taste innervation for the posterior tongue?

Accepted Answer

Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) — The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) provides taste innervation to the posterior one-third of the tongue.

Question 26

Which structure is not found in the carotid sheath?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic trunk — The carotid sheath encloses the internal jugular vein, common carotid artery (or internal and external carotid arteries), and vagus nerve. The sympathetic trunk is located posterior to the carotid sheath.

Question 27

Which supplies motor innervation to the hypopharynx?

Accepted Answer

Vagus nerve (CN X) — The vagus nerve (CN X) provides motor innervation to most of the muscles of the pharynx, including the hypopharynx, via the pharyngeal plexus.

Question 28

A horizontal section of the parotid gland will show which one of the following structures piercing the gland?

Accepted Answer

Facial nerve — The facial nerve (CN VII) passes through the substance of the parotid gland, dividing it into superficial and deep lobes, before branching to innervate facial muscles. The retromandibular vein and external carotid artery are also within or deep to the gland, and Stensen's duct exits the gland.

Question 29

When a patient was asked to protrude the tongue, it was noticed the tongue protruded markedly to the left. This can be due to injury to which of the following nerves?

Accepted Answer

Right hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) — The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) innervates the genioglossus muscle, which is the primary muscle responsible for protruding the tongue. If the right hypoglossal nerve is injured, the left genioglossus muscle will be unopposed, causing the tongue to deviate to the left upon protrusion.

Question 30

Which of the following muscles is not located within or involved in the formation of the boundaries of the posterior neck triangle?

Accepted Answer

Splenius capitis — The posterior neck triangle is bounded by the trapezius (posteriorly), sternocleidomastoid (anteriorly), and the clavicle (inferiorly). The levator scapulae is also involved in its floor. The splenius capitis is more deeply located and not a primary boundary muscle.

Question 31

A 65-year-old patient presents with an inability to smile on the left side of his face. The patient reports having a penetrating injury to the side of his mouth that healed. The physical exam shows the patient's lips were unable to move upward when smiling. What nerve innervates the affected muscle?

Accepted Answer

Facial nerve (CN VII) — The facial nerve (CN VII) innervates the muscles of facial expression, including those responsible for smiling. Unilateral weakness or paralysis of these muscles suggests facial nerve dysfunction.

Question 32

The occipital and subclavian triangles are separated by:

Accepted Answer

Omohyoid muscle — The inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle divides the posterior cervical triangle into the occipital triangle (superiorly) and the subclavian (or omoclavicular) triangle (inferiorly).

Question 33

Retropharyngeal space exists between?

Accepted Answer

Buccopharyngeal fascia and alar fascia — The retropharyngeal space is located between the buccopharyngeal fascia (which covers the posterior aspect of the pharynx) and the alar fascia (a layer of the deep cervical fascia).

Question 34

Infections in the retropharyngeal space may spread to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Mediastinum — Due to its continuity with the danger space and prevertebral space, infections in the retropharyngeal space can readily spread inferiorly into the mediastinum.

Question 35

Which one of the following parts of a cell lacks a bounding membrane?

Accepted Answer

Ribosome — Ribosomes are granular structures composed of ribosomal RNA and protein, and they are not enclosed by a membrane.

Question 36

The electron dense layers of cell membranes are biochemically identified as:

Accepted Answer

Transmembrane proteins — In electron micrographs, the electron-dense layers of the cell membrane represent the hydrophilic heads of the phospholipids and associated proteins, and are often interpreted as the protein components interacting with the lipid bilayer. However, the electron-dense staining commonly observed in TEM reflects the presence of proteins associated with the membrane.

Weekly Year 1: Anatomy Exam - May 29, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)

Questions, Answers & Explanations