Page 1 of 111
ABSA EXAM – AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGICAL ASSISTANT (SA-
C) ACTUAL EXAM PREP 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
ABSA EXAM – AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGICAL ASSISTANT (SA-C)
ACTUAL EXAM PREP – QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: SURGICAL ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
Questions 1–75
1. The concave notch in the kidney through which the ureter, arteries, and veins enter and
leave is the:
A) Medulla
B) Cortex
C) Hilum
D) Renal pyramid
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The hilum is the entry/exit point for the renal artery, renal vein, and ureter. It is
essential for kidney function and is a common anatomical landmark tested on the ABSA exam.
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2. An abnormal accumulation of fluid within the scrotum around the capsule of the testis and
the tunica vaginalis is a:
A) Varicocele
B) Hydrocele
C) Spermatocele
D) Testicular torsion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A hydrocele is a fluid-filled sac surrounding the testicle. It is distinguished from a
varicocele (dilated veins), spermatocele (cyst in the epididymis), and testicular torsion (twisted
spermatic cord).
3. The ligament that suspends the ovary and connects it to the lateral pelvic wall is the:
A) Round ligament
B) Broad ligament
C) Suspensory ligament of the ovary
D) Ovarian ligament
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The suspensory ligament of the ovary (infundibulopelvic ligament) contains the
ovarian vessels and connects the ovary to the pelvic wall. The ovarian ligament connects the
ovary to the uterus.
4. The primary blood supply to the stomach is provided by which artery?
A) Left gastric artery
B) Splenic artery
C) Common hepatic artery
D) All of the above
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Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The stomach receives its primary blood supply from branches of the celiac trunk: the
left gastric artery, splenic artery, and common hepatic artery. These form an anastomotic ring
around the stomach.
5. The surgical landmark that marks the junction between the foregut and midgut is the:
A) Ligament of Treitz
B) Pylorus
C) Ileocecal valve
D) Ampulla of Vater
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The ligament of Treitz (suspensory ligament of the duodenum) marks the
duodenojejunal flexure and the junction between the foregut and midgut. It is a critical
landmark in gastrointestinal surgery.
6. The cystic duct and common hepatic duct join to form the:
A) Common bile duct
B) Pancreatic duct
C) Cystic artery
D) Hepatic vein
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The cystic duct (from the gallbladder) joins the common hepatic duct (from the liver)
to form the common bile duct. This is a critical anatomical relationship in cholecystectomy
surgery.
7. Which structure passes through the inguinal canal in males?
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A) Round ligament
B) Spermatic cord
C) Ovarian ligament
D) Uterine artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In males, the spermatic cord passes through the inguinal canal. In females, the round
ligament passes through. Inguinal hernias are more common in males due to the larger size of
the canal and the presence of the spermatic cord.
8. The most common type of inguinal hernia is:
A) Direct inguinal hernia
B) Indirect inguinal hernia
C) Femoral hernia
D) Obturator hernia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Indirect inguinal hernias are the most common type, occurring when the hernia
protrudes through the internal inguinal ring. Direct hernias protrude through the floor of the
inguinal canal (Hesselbach's triangle).
9. Which of the following is NOT a branch of the abdominal aorta?
A) Celiac trunk
B) Superior mesenteric artery
C) Inferior mesenteric artery
D) Portal vein
ABSA EXAM – AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGICAL ASSISTANT (SA-
C) ACTUAL EXAM PREP 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
ABSA EXAM – AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGICAL ASSISTANT (SA-C)
ACTUAL EXAM PREP – QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: SURGICAL ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
Questions 1–75
1. The concave notch in the kidney through which the ureter, arteries, and veins enter and
leave is the:
A) Medulla
B) Cortex
C) Hilum
D) Renal pyramid
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The hilum is the entry/exit point for the renal artery, renal vein, and ureter. It is
essential for kidney function and is a common anatomical landmark tested on the ABSA exam.
,Page 2 of 111
2. An abnormal accumulation of fluid within the scrotum around the capsule of the testis and
the tunica vaginalis is a:
A) Varicocele
B) Hydrocele
C) Spermatocele
D) Testicular torsion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A hydrocele is a fluid-filled sac surrounding the testicle. It is distinguished from a
varicocele (dilated veins), spermatocele (cyst in the epididymis), and testicular torsion (twisted
spermatic cord).
3. The ligament that suspends the ovary and connects it to the lateral pelvic wall is the:
A) Round ligament
B) Broad ligament
C) Suspensory ligament of the ovary
D) Ovarian ligament
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The suspensory ligament of the ovary (infundibulopelvic ligament) contains the
ovarian vessels and connects the ovary to the pelvic wall. The ovarian ligament connects the
ovary to the uterus.
4. The primary blood supply to the stomach is provided by which artery?
A) Left gastric artery
B) Splenic artery
C) Common hepatic artery
D) All of the above
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Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The stomach receives its primary blood supply from branches of the celiac trunk: the
left gastric artery, splenic artery, and common hepatic artery. These form an anastomotic ring
around the stomach.
5. The surgical landmark that marks the junction between the foregut and midgut is the:
A) Ligament of Treitz
B) Pylorus
C) Ileocecal valve
D) Ampulla of Vater
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The ligament of Treitz (suspensory ligament of the duodenum) marks the
duodenojejunal flexure and the junction between the foregut and midgut. It is a critical
landmark in gastrointestinal surgery.
6. The cystic duct and common hepatic duct join to form the:
A) Common bile duct
B) Pancreatic duct
C) Cystic artery
D) Hepatic vein
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The cystic duct (from the gallbladder) joins the common hepatic duct (from the liver)
to form the common bile duct. This is a critical anatomical relationship in cholecystectomy
surgery.
7. Which structure passes through the inguinal canal in males?
, Page 4 of 111
A) Round ligament
B) Spermatic cord
C) Ovarian ligament
D) Uterine artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In males, the spermatic cord passes through the inguinal canal. In females, the round
ligament passes through. Inguinal hernias are more common in males due to the larger size of
the canal and the presence of the spermatic cord.
8. The most common type of inguinal hernia is:
A) Direct inguinal hernia
B) Indirect inguinal hernia
C) Femoral hernia
D) Obturator hernia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Indirect inguinal hernias are the most common type, occurring when the hernia
protrudes through the internal inguinal ring. Direct hernias protrude through the floor of the
inguinal canal (Hesselbach's triangle).
9. Which of the following is NOT a branch of the abdominal aorta?
A) Celiac trunk
B) Superior mesenteric artery
C) Inferior mesenteric artery
D) Portal vein
