1. Which of the following is incorrect pertaining to the ribs?
A) The first 7 are referred to as vertebrosternal ribs.
B) Ribs 11 and 12 are typically “floating” (vertebral, free) ribs.
C) The tubercle of a typical rib attaches to the inferior articular facet of the
corresponding vertebrae.
D) The head of a typical rib articulates with the bodies of two vertebrae.
E) The costal groove is associated with the intercostal vessels and nerve.
2. Rib fractures:
A) are more likely to occur in children than adults.
B) are most likely to occur at the junction of the rib and its corresponding vertebrae.
C) most often occur in the 1st rib.
D) in the lower ribs may be associated with tearing of the diaphragm.
E) are not typically painful.
3. The sternal angle:
A) indicates the location of the joint between the costal cartilage of the 2nd rib and the
sternum.
B) occurs where the 1st rib attaches to the sternum.
C) is the least likely part of the sternum to fracture in the elderly.
D) occurs at the sternoclavicular joint.
E) is a depression in the body of the sternum.
4. Which of the following is incorrect pertaining to the sternum?
A) It may be surgically split in the median plane to gain access to the thoracic cavity.
B) It may be used for a bone marrow biopsy.
C) It may have a perforation (sternal foramen) that is sometimes the site of a pleural
herniation, which is a life-threatening situation.
D) In violent thoracic trauma (e.g., automobile accident), comminuted fractures are
not uncommon.
E) Its xiphoid process may partially ossify, producing a pronounced lump.
5. The superior thoracic aperture:
A) is bounded posteriorly by the axis.
B) is bounded anterolaterally by the clavicle.
C) is bounded anteriorly by the trachea.
D) is a larger opening than the inferior thoracic aperture.
E) is, anatomically, the thoracic inlet.
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,6. Which of the following associations is incorrect?
A) rib separation—separation of a rib and its costal cartilage
B) rib dislocation (slipping rib syndrome)—separation of a costal cartilage from the
sternum
C) joints between costal cartilage of ribs 2–7 and sternum—symphyses
D) rib movements—mostly around a transverse axis passing through the head, neck,
and tubercle
E) rib movements—increase A-P diameter of the thorax during respiration
7. Which of the following associations is incorrect?
A) serratus posterior superior—potentially can elevate superior ribs
B) scalenus anterior—stabilizes 1st rib enabling more effective rib elevation during
forced inspiration
C) external intercostal muscles—attach to the sternum
D) intercostal vessels and nerve—travel between internal and innermost intercostals
muscles
E) diaphragm—primary muscle of respiration
8. The endothoracic fascia:
A) is continuous with the clavipectoral fascia.
B) provides a surgical cleavage plane between the thoracic wall and the costal parietal
pleura.
C) attaches to the suspensory ligaments of the breast.
D) contains the intercostal muscles.
E) may become fibrous and thus interfere with normal respiratory movements.
9. A patient complains to you of pain in a limited strip on one side of his chest and back.
Upon examination you notice that the skin associated with the T3 dermatome of that
side is red with vesicular eruptions. Which of the following is your most reasonable
conclusion about your patient's illness?
A) He has syphilis.
B) He has shingles (herpes zoster).
C) He has localized dermatitis.
D) An underlying thoracic disease has spread through the thoracic wall to the skin.
E) It is likely that the condition will spread to surrounding dermatomes before it
improves.
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,10. Which of the following is incorrect pertaining to the internal thoracic (mammary)
artery?
A) It helps supply the breast via its anterior intercostal branches.
B) It passes anterior to the clavicle.
C) It lies superficial to the slips of the transverse thoracic muscle.
D) It is in contact with the parietal pleura.
E) It terminates in the 6th intercostal space by becoming the superior epigastric and
musculophrenic arteries.
11. A women patient complains to you that her breasts have a strange appearance. Upon
examination you notice dimples in the skin of her breast. You know that the most likely
explanation for these dimples (peau d' orange sign) is:
A) interference with lymph drainage.
B) pregnancy.
C) overproduction of milk.
D) menopause.
E) bacterial infection of the lactiferous ducts (ductus lactiferi).
12. Lymphatic drainage of the breast:
A) is principally to the ipsilateral parasternal lymph nodes.
B) and ultimately from both breasts enters the thoracic duct.
C) is principally to the ipsilateral internal thoracic vein.
D) is principally to the ipsilateral axillary nodes.
E) is principally to the ipsilateral lymph vessels running deep to the pectoralis major.
13. Simple mastectomy for breast cancer involves removal of:
A) all breast tissue and the underlying muscles.
B) the nipple and areola.
C) only one breast quadrant.
D) all breast tissue superficial to the retromammary space.
E) all of the lymph nodes that drain the breast.
14. Your examination of a male patient reveals a tender subareolar mass in his breast.
Which of the following conditions is most likely based on this finding?
A) gynecomastia
B) Klinefelter's syndrome
C) cancer
D) shingles
E) fibrous atrophy of his pectoralis major
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,15. It is common to explain the relationships between the lung and surrounding structures
by using the analogy of a fist inserted into a balloon. Accordingly, which of the
following group of associations would be accurate?
A) fist—pleural cavity; space between inner and outer balloon layers—mediastinum;
outer layer of balloon—endothoracic fascia
B) fist—lung; space between inner and outer balloon layers—pleural cavity; outer
layer of balloon—endothoracic fascia
C) fist—lung; space between inner and outer balloon layers—pleural cavity; outer
layer of balloon—parietal pleura
D) fist—lung; space between inner and outer balloon layers—pleural cavity; outer
layer of balloon—visceral pleura
E) fist—pleural cavity; inner layer of balloon—visceral pleural; space between inner
and outer balloon layers—endothoracic surgical plane
16. Pertaining to the pleura, the:
A) diaphragmatic pleura is part of the visceral pleura.
B) suprapleural membrane is part of the parietal pleura.
C) costodiaphragmatic recess is larger during inspiration than during expiration.
D) costal pleural reflection passes obliquely across the 6th rib in the midclavicular
line, the 8th rib in the midaxillary line, and the 10th rib at its neck.
E) parietal and visceral layers of pleura are continuous at the pulmonary ligament.
17. A plain radiograph of a patient following a knife wound to the left side of his neck
showed elevation of the left hemidiaphragm, narrowing of the left intercostals spaces,
and displacement of the trachea to the left. You suspect:
A) hemothorax due to blood from the wound.
B) pneumothorax due to knife penetration of the cervical pleura.
C) transection of the phrenic nerve.
D) transection of the sympathetic trunk.
E) pleurisy.
18. Which of the following would be the safest locations to insert a needle for
thoracocentesis of the pleural cavity during expiration?
A) immediately superior to the 10th rib at the midaxillary line
B) immediately inferior to the 9th rib at the midaxillary line
C) immediately superior to the 5th rib at the midclavicular line
D) between the costal cartilages of the left 4th and 5th ribs
E) between the costal cartilages of the right 4th and 5th ribs
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,19. During auscultation of the lungs:
A) it is normal to hear the sliding of the parietal and visceral layers of pleura.
B) it is normal to hear the movement of the pleural fluid.
C) pleural rub sounds indicate pleuritis or pleurisy.
D) pleural rub sounds indicate a loss of negative pressure in the pleural cavity.
E) pleural rub sounds indicate pneumonia.
20. Which of the following is incorrect pertaining to the surface anatomy of the lungs?
A) Typically, the right lung has three lobes, and the left lung has two.
B) The lingula extends into and out of the costodiaphragmatic recess during
respiration.
C) Vascular and nervous structures enter each lung at its hilum.
D) The apex of each lung is in contact with the diaphragm.
E) The mediastinal surface of each lung is related to the heart and pericardium.
21. Which of the following is incorrect pertaining to bronchopulmonary segments?
A) Each is separated from adjacent segments by visceral pleura.
B) Each is supplied independently by a tertiary bronchus and tertiary branch of the
pulmonary artery.
C) Each is surgically resectable.
D) Each is drained by intersegmental parts of the pulmonary veins that lie in the tissue
between segments.
E) There are approximately eight to ten in each lung.
22. Spread of bronchiogenic carcinoma to the bronchiomediastinal lymph nodes might be
indicated by:
A) loss of cough reflex.
B) pleurisy.
C) distorted and displaced carina.
D) fluid sounds upon lung percussion.
E) segmental atelectasis.
23. Which of the following is incorrect pertaining to any bronchial artery or vein?
A) drains to the azygos vein
B) supplies lung tissue
C) arises from the pulmonary trunk
D) supplies the esophagus
E) supplies visceral pleura
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,24. Almost immediately following a compound fracture of the femur in an automobile
accident, an otherwise healthy patient suffered severe respiratory distress and died.
The most likely cause of death was:
A) loss of blood.
B) infection.
C) pulmonary fat embolism.
D) sympathetic overactivity.
E) myocardial infarction.
25. Which of the following pertaining to lung (bronchiogenic) carcinoma is least likely?
A) a persistent cough
B) spitting of blood (hemoptysis)
C) metastasis to bronchopulmonary nodes
D) enlarged supraclavicular nodes
E) enlarged axillary nodes
26. Which of the following is incorrect pertaining to the innervation of the lung or any part
of the pleura?
A) It receives both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers.
B) Cough reflex fibers (visceral afferents) accompany the vagus nerve.
C) Pain fibers supplied by intercostal nerves.
D) Pain can be referred to the shoulder.
E) Intrinsic smooth muscle is supplied by phrenic nerve.
27. Which of the following is incorrect pertaining to the anatomy of the lung and/or
pleura?
A) The parietal pleural generally extends three ribs inferior to the lung.
B) The bifurcation of the trachea occurs approximately at the level of the sternal
angle.
C) The right main bronchus is wider and more vertical than the left.
D) Each main bronchus supplies a lung.
E) The right lung has a horizontal fissure.
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,28. In jthe jfollowing jPA jradiograph jof jthe jthorax, jthe jarrow jpoints jto:
A) the jstomach.
B) the jdome jof jthe jright jhemidiaphragm.
C) the j12th jrib.
D) the jlower jmargin jof jthe jleft jlung.
E) the jlower jmargin jof jthe jright jlung.
29. In jthe jfollowing jillustration, jthe jarrows jpoints jto ja jline jthat jrepresents jthe:
A) separation jbetween jthe jsuperior jthoracic japerture jand jthe jmediastinum.
B) separation jbetween jthe jsuperior jmediastinum jand jthe jinferior jmediastinum.
C) separation jbetween jthe jsuperior jand jinferior jthoracic jlymph jdrainage jareas.
D) separation jbetween jthe jaxillary jand jabdominal jlymph jdrainage jof jthe jbreast.
E) level jof jthe jjugular jnotch.
30. All jof jthe jfollowing jare jtrue jof jthe jmediastinum jexcept:
A) it jconsists jprimarily jof jhollow j(air jor jliquid jfilled) jvisceral jstructures.
B) it jcontains jthe jlungs.
C) it jhas jrelationships jthat jchange jdepending jon jwhether jthe jpatient jis jin jthe jupright
jor jsupine jposition.
D) when jwidened jinferiorly, jit jmay jindicate jheart jfailure.
E) it jcontains jlymph jnodes.
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,31. Which jof jthe jfollowing jis jincorrect jpertaining jto jthe jpericardium?
A) It jconsists jof jvisceral jand jparietal jlayers jof jserous jpericardium, jand jthe jfibrous
jpericardium.
B) The jvisceral jand jparietal jlayers jof jthe jserous jpericardium jare jcontinuous jaround
jthe jaorta jand jpulmonary jtrunk jwhere jthey jexit jthe jheart.
C) It jis jmainly jsupplied jwith jblood jfrom jthe jpericardiophrenic jartery.
D) It jhas jpain jfibers jthat jare jconveyed jby jthe jintercostal jnerves.
E) It jencloses jthe jterminal jpart jof jthe jinferior jvena jcava.
32. Cardiac jtamponade jrefers jto:
A) the jeffect jof ja jpneumothorax jon jthe jheart.
B) the jbuildup jof jfluid jin jthe jpericardial jcavity jthat jimpedes jthe jpumping jof jthe jheart.
C) the jrustle-of-silk jsound jheard jin ja jstethoscope jwhen jthere jis jpericarditis.
D) pericardial jcalcification.
E) pain jfrom ja jheart jattack.
33. Which jof jthe jfollowing jis jincorrect jpertaining jto jthe japex jof jthe jheart?
A) It jis jformed jby jthe jinferolateral jpart jof jthe jleft jventricle.
B) Typically jit jlies jposterior jto jthe jleft j5th jintercostal jspace jin jadults.
C) It junderlies jthe jsite jwhere jthe j“heartbeat” jmay jbe jauscultated jon jthe jthoracic jwall.
D) It jis jwhere jthe jsounds jof jthe jmitral jvalve jclosure jare jmaximal j(apex jbeat).
E) It jis jbisected jby jthe jcoronary jgroove.
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, 34. In jthe jfollowing jillustration, jthe jarrow jtraverses jthe:
A) transverse jpericardial jsinus.
B) oblique jpericardial jsinus.
C) costopericardial jrecess.
D) pericardial jvenous jsinus.
E) sinus jvenosus.
35. Which jof jthe jfollowing jassociations jis jincorrect?
A) right jborder jof jthe jheart—right jatrium
B) diaphragmatic jsurface jof jthe jheart—mainly jleft jventricle
C) left jborder jof jthe jheart—mainly jleft jatrium
D) anterior jsurface jof jthe jheart—mainly jright jventricle
E) superior jborder—right jand jleft jatria jand jauricles
36. Which jof jthe jfollowing jstructures jis jnot jassociated jwith jthe jright jatrium?
A) crista jterminalis
B) pectinate jmuscles
C) oval jfossa j(fossa jovalis)
D) opening jof jcoronary jsinus
E) tendinous jchords j(chordae jtendinea)
37. The jseptomarginal jtrabeculae j(moderator jband) jis jimportant jbecause jit:
A) conducts jsubendocardial jbranches j(Purkinje jfibers) jfrom jthe jAV jnode jto jthe
janterior jpapillary jmuscle.
B) funnels jthe jblood jof jthe jright jventricle jinto jthe jinfundibulum.
C) is jthe jthickest jpart jof jthe jmyocardium jof jthe jleft jventricle.
D) prevents jblood jduring jsystole jfrom jreentering jthe jleft jatrium.
E) provides jthe jfibrous jskeleton jto jwhich jthe jheart jvalves jare jattached.
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