American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) SA-C Certification
Exam Prep –Actual Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales (Surgical Assistant Test 2026–2028)
Section A: General & Surgical Anatomy (1–15)
1. The main blood supply to the liver is provided by the:
A. Superior mesenteric artery
B. Hepatic artery and portal vein
C. Celiac vein
D. Inferior vena cava
Explanation: The liver receives dual blood supply: oxygenated blood from the hepatic artery
and nutrient-rich blood from the portal vein.+1
2. The structure that separates the right and left ventricles is the:
A. Interatrial septum
B. Interventricular septum
C. Chordae tendineae
D. Papillary muscle
Explanation: The interventricular septum divides the right and left ventricles and is critical in
ventricular conduction and function.
3. The inguinal canal in males contains the:
A. Femoral artery
B. Spermatic cord
, C. Round ligament
D. Obturator nerve
Explanation: The spermatic cord passes through the inguinal canal in males, containing
vessels, nerves, and the vas deferens.
4. The primary function of the parathyroid glands is to regulate:
A. Blood glucose
B. Serum calcium and phosphate
C. Thyroid hormone levels
D. Cortisol secretion
Explanation: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) maintains calcium and phosphate balance through
effects on bone, kidney, and intestine.
5. The ligament of Treitz is located at the:
A. Ileocecal junction
B. Duodenojejunal junction
C. Pylorus
D. Hepatic flexure
Explanation: The ligament of Treitz suspends the duodenojejunal flexure and is an
important landmark for upper vs. lower GI bleeding.
6. The radial artery is most commonly palpated at the:
A. Antecubital fossa
B. Lateral aspect of the wrist
C. Medial ankle
D. Lateral neck
,Explanation: The radial pulse is typically felt at the lateral wrist proximal to the thumb.
7. The main nerve at risk during a thyroidectomy is the:
A. Phrenic nerve
B. Recurrent laryngeal nerve
C. Median nerve
D. Femoral nerve
Explanation: Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve can cause vocal cord paralysis and
hoarseness; it is carefully preserved in thyroid surgery.
8. The peritoneal cavity is best described as:
A. A solid organ
B. A potential space lined by serous membrane
C. A vascular plexus
D. A lymph node chain
Explanation: The peritoneal cavity is a potential space between visceral and parietal
peritoneum, normally containing small amounts of fluid.
9. The primary stabilizing ligaments of the knee are the:
A. Collateral and annular ligaments
B. Anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments plus medial and lateral collateral
ligaments
C. Cruciate and rotator cuff tendons
D. Menisci only
Explanation: Knee stability relies on cruciate and collateral ligaments, along with menisci;
cruciates prevent anterior/posterior translation.
, 10. The appendix is usually located in which abdominal quadrant?
A. Left upper
B. Left lower
C. Right lower
D. Right upper
Explanation: The vermiform appendix typically arises from the cecum in the right lower
quadrant, near McBurney’s point.
11. The SA node (sinoatrial node) is located in the:
A. Left atrium
B. Left ventricle
C. Right atrium
D. Right ventricle
Explanation: The SA node, the heart’s natural pacemaker, lies in the right atrium near the
superior vena cava.
12. The major muscle responsible for inspiration at rest is the:
A. External oblique
B. Diaphragm
C. Rectus abdominis
D. Gluteus maximus
Explanation: The diaphragm provides the primary force for quiet inspiration by contracting
and flattening.
13. The calyx and pelvis are parts of which organ?
A. Liver
Exam Prep –Actual Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales (Surgical Assistant Test 2026–2028)
Section A: General & Surgical Anatomy (1–15)
1. The main blood supply to the liver is provided by the:
A. Superior mesenteric artery
B. Hepatic artery and portal vein
C. Celiac vein
D. Inferior vena cava
Explanation: The liver receives dual blood supply: oxygenated blood from the hepatic artery
and nutrient-rich blood from the portal vein.+1
2. The structure that separates the right and left ventricles is the:
A. Interatrial septum
B. Interventricular septum
C. Chordae tendineae
D. Papillary muscle
Explanation: The interventricular septum divides the right and left ventricles and is critical in
ventricular conduction and function.
3. The inguinal canal in males contains the:
A. Femoral artery
B. Spermatic cord
, C. Round ligament
D. Obturator nerve
Explanation: The spermatic cord passes through the inguinal canal in males, containing
vessels, nerves, and the vas deferens.
4. The primary function of the parathyroid glands is to regulate:
A. Blood glucose
B. Serum calcium and phosphate
C. Thyroid hormone levels
D. Cortisol secretion
Explanation: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) maintains calcium and phosphate balance through
effects on bone, kidney, and intestine.
5. The ligament of Treitz is located at the:
A. Ileocecal junction
B. Duodenojejunal junction
C. Pylorus
D. Hepatic flexure
Explanation: The ligament of Treitz suspends the duodenojejunal flexure and is an
important landmark for upper vs. lower GI bleeding.
6. The radial artery is most commonly palpated at the:
A. Antecubital fossa
B. Lateral aspect of the wrist
C. Medial ankle
D. Lateral neck
,Explanation: The radial pulse is typically felt at the lateral wrist proximal to the thumb.
7. The main nerve at risk during a thyroidectomy is the:
A. Phrenic nerve
B. Recurrent laryngeal nerve
C. Median nerve
D. Femoral nerve
Explanation: Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve can cause vocal cord paralysis and
hoarseness; it is carefully preserved in thyroid surgery.
8. The peritoneal cavity is best described as:
A. A solid organ
B. A potential space lined by serous membrane
C. A vascular plexus
D. A lymph node chain
Explanation: The peritoneal cavity is a potential space between visceral and parietal
peritoneum, normally containing small amounts of fluid.
9. The primary stabilizing ligaments of the knee are the:
A. Collateral and annular ligaments
B. Anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments plus medial and lateral collateral
ligaments
C. Cruciate and rotator cuff tendons
D. Menisci only
Explanation: Knee stability relies on cruciate and collateral ligaments, along with menisci;
cruciates prevent anterior/posterior translation.
, 10. The appendix is usually located in which abdominal quadrant?
A. Left upper
B. Left lower
C. Right lower
D. Right upper
Explanation: The vermiform appendix typically arises from the cecum in the right lower
quadrant, near McBurney’s point.
11. The SA node (sinoatrial node) is located in the:
A. Left atrium
B. Left ventricle
C. Right atrium
D. Right ventricle
Explanation: The SA node, the heart’s natural pacemaker, lies in the right atrium near the
superior vena cava.
12. The major muscle responsible for inspiration at rest is the:
A. External oblique
B. Diaphragm
C. Rectus abdominis
D. Gluteus maximus
Explanation: The diaphragm provides the primary force for quiet inspiration by contracting
and flattening.
13. The calyx and pelvis are parts of which organ?
A. Liver
