ARIZONA NEUROSURGERY SPECIALIST EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES LATEST 2025-2026 UPDATE
1–10: Neuroanatomy & Physiology
1. The primary blood supply to the lateral medulla is the:
A. Anterior cerebral artery
B. Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)
C. Basilar artery
D. Middle cerebral artery
Answer: B
Rationale: PICA supplies the lateral medulla; infarction causes
Wallenberg syndrome.
2. Broca’s area is located in the:
A. Occipital lobe
B. Temporal lobe
C. Frontal lobe
D. Parietal lobe
Answer: C
Rationale: Broca’s area (speech production) is in the dominant frontal
lobe.
3. The cavernous sinus contains all EXCEPT:
A. Internal carotid artery
B. Cranial nerve VI
C. Optic nerve
D. Cranial nerve III
,Answer: C
Rationale: Optic nerve passes through optic canal, not cavernous sinus.
4. The primary motor cortex is located in the:
A. Precentral gyrus
B. Postcentral gyrus
C. Cingulate gyrus
D. Hippocampus
Answer: A
Rationale: Precentral gyrus controls voluntary motor activity.
5. The artery of Adamkiewicz typically arises from:
A. T1–T4
B. T5–T8
C. T9–L2
D. L4–S1
Answer: C
Rationale: Major anterior spinal artery feeder supplying lower spinal
cord.
6. CSF is primarily produced in the:
A. Arachnoid granulations
B. Choroid plexus
C. Pia mater
D. Dura mater
Answer: B
Rationale: Choroid plexus produces most cerebrospinal fluid.
, 7. The cerebellar peduncle connecting cerebellum to pons is:
A. Superior
B. Middle
C. Inferior
D. Lateral
Answer: B
Rationale: Middle cerebellar peduncle connects pons to cerebellum.
8. The limbic system is primarily responsible for:
A. Vision
B. Balance
C. Emotion and memory
D. Motor control
Answer: C
9. The dura mater consists of:
A. One layer
B. Two layers
C. Three layers
D. No layers
Answer: B
Rationale: Periosteal and meningeal layers.
10. The most common site of berry aneurysm rupture is:
A. MCA bifurcation
B. Basilar tip
C. ACOM artery
D. PCA
Answer: C
Rationale: Anterior communicating artery is most common rupture site.
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES LATEST 2025-2026 UPDATE
1–10: Neuroanatomy & Physiology
1. The primary blood supply to the lateral medulla is the:
A. Anterior cerebral artery
B. Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)
C. Basilar artery
D. Middle cerebral artery
Answer: B
Rationale: PICA supplies the lateral medulla; infarction causes
Wallenberg syndrome.
2. Broca’s area is located in the:
A. Occipital lobe
B. Temporal lobe
C. Frontal lobe
D. Parietal lobe
Answer: C
Rationale: Broca’s area (speech production) is in the dominant frontal
lobe.
3. The cavernous sinus contains all EXCEPT:
A. Internal carotid artery
B. Cranial nerve VI
C. Optic nerve
D. Cranial nerve III
,Answer: C
Rationale: Optic nerve passes through optic canal, not cavernous sinus.
4. The primary motor cortex is located in the:
A. Precentral gyrus
B. Postcentral gyrus
C. Cingulate gyrus
D. Hippocampus
Answer: A
Rationale: Precentral gyrus controls voluntary motor activity.
5. The artery of Adamkiewicz typically arises from:
A. T1–T4
B. T5–T8
C. T9–L2
D. L4–S1
Answer: C
Rationale: Major anterior spinal artery feeder supplying lower spinal
cord.
6. CSF is primarily produced in the:
A. Arachnoid granulations
B. Choroid plexus
C. Pia mater
D. Dura mater
Answer: B
Rationale: Choroid plexus produces most cerebrospinal fluid.
, 7. The cerebellar peduncle connecting cerebellum to pons is:
A. Superior
B. Middle
C. Inferior
D. Lateral
Answer: B
Rationale: Middle cerebellar peduncle connects pons to cerebellum.
8. The limbic system is primarily responsible for:
A. Vision
B. Balance
C. Emotion and memory
D. Motor control
Answer: C
9. The dura mater consists of:
A. One layer
B. Two layers
C. Three layers
D. No layers
Answer: B
Rationale: Periosteal and meningeal layers.
10. The most common site of berry aneurysm rupture is:
A. MCA bifurcation
B. Basilar tip
C. ACOM artery
D. PCA
Answer: C
Rationale: Anterior communicating artery is most common rupture site.
