ABSITE: 25 Thoracic Verified Exam Questions and Answers Latest
update 2026/2027
Question:
Course of the azygos vein
Answer:
Right side Dumps into SVC
Question:
Course of thoracic duct
Answer:
Right side > crosses midline at T4-5 > dumps into L SCV at junction with IJV
Question:
Course of phrenic nerve in relation to the lung hilum
Answer:
Anterior to the hilum
Question:
Course of vagus nerve in relation to the lung hilum
Answer:
Posterior to the hilum
Question:
Function of type I pneumocytes
Answer:
Gas exchange
Question:
Function of type II pneumocytes
Answer:
surfactant production
Question:
Function of Pores of Kahn
Answer:
Direct air exchange between alveoli
, Question:
Pre-op requirements to allow for pneumonectomy?
Answer:
Predicted post-op FEV1 > 0.8 > If borderline, get V/Q scan to see how much the lung you are taking
out actually contributes
- Predicted post-op DLCO >10mL/min/mmHg CO
- pCO2 <50, pO2 >50
- VO2 max >10-12mL/min (max O2 consumption)
Question:
DCLO
Answer:
Measures carbon monoxide diffusion and represents O2 exchange capacity Depends on pulmonary
capillary surface area, hemogloblin content, alveolar architecture
Question:
Common complications after lung resections?
Answer:
Persistent air leak (segmentectomy/wedge) Atelectasis (lobectomy) Arrhythmias (pneumonectomy)
Question:
Most common site of lung cancer metastases?
Answer:
Brain Other: SCLN, other lung, bone, liver, adrenals
Question:
T-staging lung cancer?
Answer:
T1: <3cm T2: >3cm but >2cm away from carina T3: Invasion of chest wall, pericardium, diaphragm
or <2cm from carina T4: Mediatinum, esophagus, trachea, vertebra, heart, great vessels, malignant
effusion (unresectable)
Question:
N-staging lung cancer?
Answer:
N1: ipsilateral hilum nodes N2: ipsilateral mediastinal or subcarinal (unresectable) N3: Contralateral
mediastinal or suprclavicular (unresectable)
update 2026/2027
Question:
Course of the azygos vein
Answer:
Right side Dumps into SVC
Question:
Course of thoracic duct
Answer:
Right side > crosses midline at T4-5 > dumps into L SCV at junction with IJV
Question:
Course of phrenic nerve in relation to the lung hilum
Answer:
Anterior to the hilum
Question:
Course of vagus nerve in relation to the lung hilum
Answer:
Posterior to the hilum
Question:
Function of type I pneumocytes
Answer:
Gas exchange
Question:
Function of type II pneumocytes
Answer:
surfactant production
Question:
Function of Pores of Kahn
Answer:
Direct air exchange between alveoli
, Question:
Pre-op requirements to allow for pneumonectomy?
Answer:
Predicted post-op FEV1 > 0.8 > If borderline, get V/Q scan to see how much the lung you are taking
out actually contributes
- Predicted post-op DLCO >10mL/min/mmHg CO
- pCO2 <50, pO2 >50
- VO2 max >10-12mL/min (max O2 consumption)
Question:
DCLO
Answer:
Measures carbon monoxide diffusion and represents O2 exchange capacity Depends on pulmonary
capillary surface area, hemogloblin content, alveolar architecture
Question:
Common complications after lung resections?
Answer:
Persistent air leak (segmentectomy/wedge) Atelectasis (lobectomy) Arrhythmias (pneumonectomy)
Question:
Most common site of lung cancer metastases?
Answer:
Brain Other: SCLN, other lung, bone, liver, adrenals
Question:
T-staging lung cancer?
Answer:
T1: <3cm T2: >3cm but >2cm away from carina T3: Invasion of chest wall, pericardium, diaphragm
or <2cm from carina T4: Mediatinum, esophagus, trachea, vertebra, heart, great vessels, malignant
effusion (unresectable)
Question:
N-staging lung cancer?
Answer:
N1: ipsilateral hilum nodes N2: ipsilateral mediastinal or subcarinal (unresectable) N3: Contralateral
mediastinal or suprclavicular (unresectable)
