ABSA SA-C Certification Practice Examination | Complete
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1. The structure that connects the cricoid cartilage to the thyroid cartilage is the:
A) Hyoid bone
B) Cricothyroid membrane
C) Thyrohyoid membrane
D) Vocal ligament
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The cricothyroid membrane connects the cricoid and thyroid cartilages and is the
site for emergency surgical airway access (cricothyrotomy). The hyoid bone is superior, the
thyrohyoid membrane connects the hyoid to the thyroid, and the vocal ligament is within the
larynx.
2. The ligament of Treitz suspends which anatomical structure?
A) Liver
B) Duodenum
C) Spleen
D) Pancreas
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ligament of Treitz (suspensory ligament of the duodenum) marks the
duodenojejunal flexure and is an important surgical landmark indicating the transition from
the duodenum to the jejunum.
3. The femoral triangle is bounded by all of the following EXCEPT:
,A) Inguinal ligament
B) Sartorius muscle
C) Adductor longus muscle
D) Gracilis muscle
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The femoral triangle is bounded superiorly by the inguinal ligament, laterally by
the sartorius, and medially by the adductor longus. The gracilis is not a border of this triangle.
4. Which nerve is most commonly injured during thyroidectomy?
A) Vagus nerve
B) Phrenic nerve
C) Recurrent laryngeal nerve
D) Hypoglossal nerve
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The recurrent laryngeal nerve runs in the tracheoesophageal groove and is at
significant risk during thyroid surgery. Injury results in vocal cord paralysis and hoarseness.
5. The portal vein is formed by the union of the:
A) Splenic vein and inferior mesenteric vein
B) Superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein
C) Inferior mesenteric vein and superior mesenteric vein
D) Gastric vein and splenic vein
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The portal vein is formed posterior to the neck of the pancreas by the confluence
of the superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein.
,6. Which of the following structures is located in the posterior mediastinum?
A) Heart
B) Thymus gland
C) Esophagus
D) Trachea
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The posterior mediastinum contains the esophagus, descending thoracic aorta,
azygos vein, and thoracic duct. The heart is in the middle mediastinum, the thymus in the
superior, and the trachea in the superior mediastinum.
7. The sciatic nerve exits the pelvis through which foramen?
A) Obturator foramen
B) Greater sciatic foramen
C) Lesser sciatic foramen
D) Foramen magnum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The sciatic nerve exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen, inferior to
the piriformis muscle. This is a critical anatomical landmark for hip and pelvic procedures.
8. The blood supply to the head of the femur is primarily from:
A) Femoral artery
B) Profunda femoris artery
C) Medial circumflex femoral artery
D) Lateral circumflex femoral artery
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The medial circumflex femoral artery provides the major blood supply to the head
and neck of the femur. This is clinically significant as disruption can lead to avascular necrosis.
9. Which lobe of the liver is located posteriorly and is closely associated with the inferior vena
cava?
A) Right lobe
B) Left lobe
C) Quadrate lobe
D) Caudate lobe
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The caudate lobe is located posteriorly and wraps around the inferior vena cava
(IVC). It has a distinct blood supply and biliary drainage.
10. The carotid sheath contains all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Common carotid artery
B) Internal jugular vein
C) Vagus nerve
D) Phrenic nerve
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The carotid sheath contains the common carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and
vagus nerve. The phrenic nerve lies outside the sheath on the anterior scalene muscle.
11. The vermiform appendix is located in which quadrant of the abdomen?
A) Right upper quadrant
B) Left upper quadrant
Study Guide | Verified Questions & Answers | Latest Updated
Version | Exam Prep | 100% Pass Success Resource | Instant
Download PDF
1. The structure that connects the cricoid cartilage to the thyroid cartilage is the:
A) Hyoid bone
B) Cricothyroid membrane
C) Thyrohyoid membrane
D) Vocal ligament
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The cricothyroid membrane connects the cricoid and thyroid cartilages and is the
site for emergency surgical airway access (cricothyrotomy). The hyoid bone is superior, the
thyrohyoid membrane connects the hyoid to the thyroid, and the vocal ligament is within the
larynx.
2. The ligament of Treitz suspends which anatomical structure?
A) Liver
B) Duodenum
C) Spleen
D) Pancreas
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ligament of Treitz (suspensory ligament of the duodenum) marks the
duodenojejunal flexure and is an important surgical landmark indicating the transition from
the duodenum to the jejunum.
3. The femoral triangle is bounded by all of the following EXCEPT:
,A) Inguinal ligament
B) Sartorius muscle
C) Adductor longus muscle
D) Gracilis muscle
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The femoral triangle is bounded superiorly by the inguinal ligament, laterally by
the sartorius, and medially by the adductor longus. The gracilis is not a border of this triangle.
4. Which nerve is most commonly injured during thyroidectomy?
A) Vagus nerve
B) Phrenic nerve
C) Recurrent laryngeal nerve
D) Hypoglossal nerve
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The recurrent laryngeal nerve runs in the tracheoesophageal groove and is at
significant risk during thyroid surgery. Injury results in vocal cord paralysis and hoarseness.
5. The portal vein is formed by the union of the:
A) Splenic vein and inferior mesenteric vein
B) Superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein
C) Inferior mesenteric vein and superior mesenteric vein
D) Gastric vein and splenic vein
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The portal vein is formed posterior to the neck of the pancreas by the confluence
of the superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein.
,6. Which of the following structures is located in the posterior mediastinum?
A) Heart
B) Thymus gland
C) Esophagus
D) Trachea
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The posterior mediastinum contains the esophagus, descending thoracic aorta,
azygos vein, and thoracic duct. The heart is in the middle mediastinum, the thymus in the
superior, and the trachea in the superior mediastinum.
7. The sciatic nerve exits the pelvis through which foramen?
A) Obturator foramen
B) Greater sciatic foramen
C) Lesser sciatic foramen
D) Foramen magnum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The sciatic nerve exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen, inferior to
the piriformis muscle. This is a critical anatomical landmark for hip and pelvic procedures.
8. The blood supply to the head of the femur is primarily from:
A) Femoral artery
B) Profunda femoris artery
C) Medial circumflex femoral artery
D) Lateral circumflex femoral artery
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The medial circumflex femoral artery provides the major blood supply to the head
and neck of the femur. This is clinically significant as disruption can lead to avascular necrosis.
9. Which lobe of the liver is located posteriorly and is closely associated with the inferior vena
cava?
A) Right lobe
B) Left lobe
C) Quadrate lobe
D) Caudate lobe
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The caudate lobe is located posteriorly and wraps around the inferior vena cava
(IVC). It has a distinct blood supply and biliary drainage.
10. The carotid sheath contains all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Common carotid artery
B) Internal jugular vein
C) Vagus nerve
D) Phrenic nerve
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The carotid sheath contains the common carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and
vagus nerve. The phrenic nerve lies outside the sheath on the anterior scalene muscle.
11. The vermiform appendix is located in which quadrant of the abdomen?
A) Right upper quadrant
B) Left upper quadrant
