STEP 1 USMLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
What gland is found in the muscular triangle of the neck? - (ANSWER)Thyroid gland
Is an afferent or efferent pupillary defect described as B/L pupillary constriction when light is shined in
the unaffected eye and B/L paradoxical dilation when light is shined in the affected eye? -
(ANSWER)Afferent pupillary defect (CN II lesion); in an efferent pupillary defect (CN III), B/L constrict
when light is shined in the unaffected eye and consentual pupil constriction occurs when light is shined
in the affected eye.
What is the name of the spinal cord passing within the subarachnoid space and forming the spinal
nerves that exit the lumbar and sacral foramina? - (ANSWER)Cauda equina
Name the laryngeal muscle described by the following: • Pulls the arytenoids cartilages closer to the
thyroid, relaxing the vocal ligaments and thereby decreasing the pitch - (ANSWER)Thyroarytenoid
muscles
Name the laryngeal muscle described by the following: • Tenses the vocal ligaments, increasing the
distance between the cartilages, thereby increasing the pitch - (ANSWER)Cricothyroid muscles
Name the laryngeal muscle described by the following: • Adducts the vocal ligaments, closes the air
passageway during swallowing, and allows phonation - (ANSWER)Lateral cricoarytenoid muscles
Name the laryngeal muscle described by the following: • Only muscle to abduct the vocal cords -
(ANSWER)Posterior cricoarytenoid muscles
Where does the parotid (Stensen's) duct enter the oral cavity? - (ANSWER)Opposite the second upper
molar tooth
From what aortic arch are the following structures derived? • Common and internal carotid arteries -
(ANSWER)Third aortic arch MS CARD is my mnemonic for the aortic arch derivatives
From what aortic arch are the following structures derived? • Degenerates - (ANSWER)Fifth MS CARD is
my mnemonic for the aortic arch derivatives
,STEP 1 USMLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
From what aortic arch are the following structures derived? • Stapes artery - (ANSWER)Second MS CARD
is my mnemonic for the aortic arch derivatives
From what aortic arch are the following structures derived? • Maxillary artery - (ANSWER)First MS CARD
is my mnemonic for the aortic arch derivatives
From what aortic arch are the following structures derived? • Arch of the aorta and right subclavian
artery - (ANSWER)Fourth MS CARD is my mnemonic for the aortic arch derivatives
From what aortic arch are the following structures derived? • Right and left pulmonary arteries and the
ductus arteriosus - (ANSWER)Sixth MS CARD is my mnemonic for the aortic arch derivatives
What abdominal muscle contributes to the anterior layer of the rectus sheath, forms the inguinal
ligament, and in men gives rise to the external spermatic fascia of the spermatic cord? -
(ANSWER)External abdominal oblique
Name the compartment of the lower extremity and the nerve based on its movements. • Adduct the
thigh and flex the hip - (ANSWER)Medial compartment of the thigh, obturator nerve
Name the compartment of the lower extremity and the nerve based on its movements. • Plantar flex
the foot, flex the toes, and invert the foot - (ANSWER)Posterior compartment of the leg, tibial nerve
Name the compartment of the lower extremity and the nerve based on its movements. • Dorsiflex the
foot, extend the toes, and invert the foot - (ANSWER)Anterior compartment of the leg, deep peroneal
nerve
Name the compartment of the lower extremity and the nerve based on its movements. • Flex the hip
and extend the knee - (ANSWER)Anterior compartment of the thigh, femoral nerve
Name the compartment of the lower extremity and the nerve based on its movements. • Extend the hip
and flex the knee - (ANSWER)Posterior compartment of the thigh, tibial nerve
,STEP 1 USMLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
Name the compartment of the lower extremity and the nerve based on its movements. • Plantar flex
the foot and evert the foot - (ANSWER)Lateral compartment of the leg, superficial peroneal nerve
What are the five branches of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus? - (ANSWER)STARS 1. Upper
Subscapularis 2. Thoracodorsal 3. Axillary 4. Radial 5. Lower Subscapularis
Name the correct artery. • The right recurrent laryngeal nerve passes around it. - (ANSWER)Right
brachiocephalic artery
Name the correct artery. • The left recurrent laryngeal nerve passes around it. - (ANSWER)Arch of the
aorta
The inferior mesenteric artery drains into it. - (ANSWER)The splenic vein
Are the quadrate and caudate lobes of the liver functionally part of the left or right lobe? -
(ANSWER)Functionally they are part of the left lobe of the liver because they receive their blood supply
from the left hepatic artery. Anatomically they are considered part of the right lobe of the liver.
What bones make up the acetabulum? - (ANSWER)Pubis, ilium, and ischium
What is the anatomic positioning of the right and left gastric nerve plexus of the esophagus as they pass
through the diaphragm? - (ANSWER)LARP: Left goes Anterior and Right goes Posterior (because of the
rotation of the gut; remember your embryology!)
What vessel is lacerated in an epidural hematoma? - (ANSWER)Middle meningeal artery
True or false? Below the arcuate line, all the aponeurotic fibers run anterior to the rectus abdominis. -
(ANSWER)TRUE
, STEP 1 USMLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
What ocular muscle • Adducts the eyeball and is involved in horizontal conjugate gaze? -
(ANSWER)Medial rectus (CN III) (LR6 SO4)3
What ocular muscle • Elevates and adducts the eyeball? - (ANSWER)Superior rectus (CN III) (LR6 SO4)3
What ocular muscle • Depresses and abducts the eyeball? - (ANSWER)Superior Oblique (CN IV) (LR6
SO4)3
What ocular muscle • Elevates and abducts the eyeball? - (ANSWER)Inferior Oblique (CN III) (LR6 SO4)3
What ocular muscle • Abducts the eyeball and is involved in horizontal conjugate gaze? -
(ANSWER)Lateral rectus (CN VI) (LR6 SO4)3
What ocular muscle • Depresses and adducts the eyeball? - (ANSWER)Inferior rectus (CN III) (LR6 SO4)3
Which muscles of the eye are under parasympathetic control? - (ANSWER)Constrictor pupillae and
ciliary muscles
Which direction does the uvula deviate in a left vagus nerve lesion? - (ANSWER)A left CN X lesion results
in the uvula deviating to the right. (Uvula points away from the affected side.)
Is a subdural hematoma an arterial or venous bleed? - (ANSWER)Subdural hematoma is a rupture of the
cerebral veins where they enter the superior sagittal sinus.
Which CNs are found in the midline of the brainstem? - (ANSWER)CN I, II, III, VI, and XII Add 1 + 1 = 2, 1 +
2 = 3, 1 + 2 + 3 = 6, 1 + 2 + 3 + 6 = 12
What muscles insert in or on the intertubercular groove of the humerus? - (ANSWER)"Lady between two
Majors": latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, and teres major
What gland is found in the muscular triangle of the neck? - (ANSWER)Thyroid gland
Is an afferent or efferent pupillary defect described as B/L pupillary constriction when light is shined in
the unaffected eye and B/L paradoxical dilation when light is shined in the affected eye? -
(ANSWER)Afferent pupillary defect (CN II lesion); in an efferent pupillary defect (CN III), B/L constrict
when light is shined in the unaffected eye and consentual pupil constriction occurs when light is shined
in the affected eye.
What is the name of the spinal cord passing within the subarachnoid space and forming the spinal
nerves that exit the lumbar and sacral foramina? - (ANSWER)Cauda equina
Name the laryngeal muscle described by the following: • Pulls the arytenoids cartilages closer to the
thyroid, relaxing the vocal ligaments and thereby decreasing the pitch - (ANSWER)Thyroarytenoid
muscles
Name the laryngeal muscle described by the following: • Tenses the vocal ligaments, increasing the
distance between the cartilages, thereby increasing the pitch - (ANSWER)Cricothyroid muscles
Name the laryngeal muscle described by the following: • Adducts the vocal ligaments, closes the air
passageway during swallowing, and allows phonation - (ANSWER)Lateral cricoarytenoid muscles
Name the laryngeal muscle described by the following: • Only muscle to abduct the vocal cords -
(ANSWER)Posterior cricoarytenoid muscles
Where does the parotid (Stensen's) duct enter the oral cavity? - (ANSWER)Opposite the second upper
molar tooth
From what aortic arch are the following structures derived? • Common and internal carotid arteries -
(ANSWER)Third aortic arch MS CARD is my mnemonic for the aortic arch derivatives
From what aortic arch are the following structures derived? • Degenerates - (ANSWER)Fifth MS CARD is
my mnemonic for the aortic arch derivatives
,STEP 1 USMLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
From what aortic arch are the following structures derived? • Stapes artery - (ANSWER)Second MS CARD
is my mnemonic for the aortic arch derivatives
From what aortic arch are the following structures derived? • Maxillary artery - (ANSWER)First MS CARD
is my mnemonic for the aortic arch derivatives
From what aortic arch are the following structures derived? • Arch of the aorta and right subclavian
artery - (ANSWER)Fourth MS CARD is my mnemonic for the aortic arch derivatives
From what aortic arch are the following structures derived? • Right and left pulmonary arteries and the
ductus arteriosus - (ANSWER)Sixth MS CARD is my mnemonic for the aortic arch derivatives
What abdominal muscle contributes to the anterior layer of the rectus sheath, forms the inguinal
ligament, and in men gives rise to the external spermatic fascia of the spermatic cord? -
(ANSWER)External abdominal oblique
Name the compartment of the lower extremity and the nerve based on its movements. • Adduct the
thigh and flex the hip - (ANSWER)Medial compartment of the thigh, obturator nerve
Name the compartment of the lower extremity and the nerve based on its movements. • Plantar flex
the foot, flex the toes, and invert the foot - (ANSWER)Posterior compartment of the leg, tibial nerve
Name the compartment of the lower extremity and the nerve based on its movements. • Dorsiflex the
foot, extend the toes, and invert the foot - (ANSWER)Anterior compartment of the leg, deep peroneal
nerve
Name the compartment of the lower extremity and the nerve based on its movements. • Flex the hip
and extend the knee - (ANSWER)Anterior compartment of the thigh, femoral nerve
Name the compartment of the lower extremity and the nerve based on its movements. • Extend the hip
and flex the knee - (ANSWER)Posterior compartment of the thigh, tibial nerve
,STEP 1 USMLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
Name the compartment of the lower extremity and the nerve based on its movements. • Plantar flex
the foot and evert the foot - (ANSWER)Lateral compartment of the leg, superficial peroneal nerve
What are the five branches of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus? - (ANSWER)STARS 1. Upper
Subscapularis 2. Thoracodorsal 3. Axillary 4. Radial 5. Lower Subscapularis
Name the correct artery. • The right recurrent laryngeal nerve passes around it. - (ANSWER)Right
brachiocephalic artery
Name the correct artery. • The left recurrent laryngeal nerve passes around it. - (ANSWER)Arch of the
aorta
The inferior mesenteric artery drains into it. - (ANSWER)The splenic vein
Are the quadrate and caudate lobes of the liver functionally part of the left or right lobe? -
(ANSWER)Functionally they are part of the left lobe of the liver because they receive their blood supply
from the left hepatic artery. Anatomically they are considered part of the right lobe of the liver.
What bones make up the acetabulum? - (ANSWER)Pubis, ilium, and ischium
What is the anatomic positioning of the right and left gastric nerve plexus of the esophagus as they pass
through the diaphragm? - (ANSWER)LARP: Left goes Anterior and Right goes Posterior (because of the
rotation of the gut; remember your embryology!)
What vessel is lacerated in an epidural hematoma? - (ANSWER)Middle meningeal artery
True or false? Below the arcuate line, all the aponeurotic fibers run anterior to the rectus abdominis. -
(ANSWER)TRUE
, STEP 1 USMLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
What ocular muscle • Adducts the eyeball and is involved in horizontal conjugate gaze? -
(ANSWER)Medial rectus (CN III) (LR6 SO4)3
What ocular muscle • Elevates and adducts the eyeball? - (ANSWER)Superior rectus (CN III) (LR6 SO4)3
What ocular muscle • Depresses and abducts the eyeball? - (ANSWER)Superior Oblique (CN IV) (LR6
SO4)3
What ocular muscle • Elevates and abducts the eyeball? - (ANSWER)Inferior Oblique (CN III) (LR6 SO4)3
What ocular muscle • Abducts the eyeball and is involved in horizontal conjugate gaze? -
(ANSWER)Lateral rectus (CN VI) (LR6 SO4)3
What ocular muscle • Depresses and adducts the eyeball? - (ANSWER)Inferior rectus (CN III) (LR6 SO4)3
Which muscles of the eye are under parasympathetic control? - (ANSWER)Constrictor pupillae and
ciliary muscles
Which direction does the uvula deviate in a left vagus nerve lesion? - (ANSWER)A left CN X lesion results
in the uvula deviating to the right. (Uvula points away from the affected side.)
Is a subdural hematoma an arterial or venous bleed? - (ANSWER)Subdural hematoma is a rupture of the
cerebral veins where they enter the superior sagittal sinus.
Which CNs are found in the midline of the brainstem? - (ANSWER)CN I, II, III, VI, and XII Add 1 + 1 = 2, 1 +
2 = 3, 1 + 2 + 3 = 6, 1 + 2 + 3 + 6 = 12
What muscles insert in or on the intertubercular groove of the humerus? - (ANSWER)"Lady between two
Majors": latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, and teres major
