ABSA Exam - American Board of Surgical
Assistant (ABSA) Complete Exam Prep
Questions with Accurate Solutions and
Detailed Rationales
2026/2026 Edition - 150 Questions
SECTION 1: SURGICAL ANATOMY
Question 1
The ligament of Treitz is located at the:
A) Gastroesophageal junction
B) Duodenojejunal junction
C) Ileocecal junction
D) Hepatoduodenal junction
Correct Answer: B) Duodenojejunal junction
Rationale: The ligament of Treitz (suspensory ligament of the duodenum) is
a fibromuscular band that marks the duodenojejunal junction. It is an
important anatomical landmark that separates the upper GI tract from the
lower GI tract. It is used to identify the beginning of the jejunum during
surgery. The gastroesophageal junction (A) is marked by the Z-line. The
ileocecal junction (C) is between the ileum and cecum. The
hepatoduodenal junction (D) is part of the porta hepatis.
,Question 2
The structure that connects the cecum to the ileum is the:
A) Appendix
B) Ileocecal valve
C) Pyloric sphincter
D) Sphincter of Oddi
Correct Answer: B) Ileocecal valve
Rationale: The ileocecal valve is the sphincter that connects the ileum
(small intestine) to the cecum (large intestine). It regulates the flow of
material from the small intestine to the large intestine and prevents reflux.
The appendix (A) is attached to the cecum. The pyloric sphincter (C)
connects the stomach to the duodenum. The sphincter of Oddi (D) controls
the flow of bile and pancreatic juice into the duodenum.
Question 3
The porta hepatis contains all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Hepatic artery
B) Portal vein
C) Common bile duct
D) Inferior vena cava
Correct Answer: D) Inferior vena cava
Rationale: The porta hepatis (liver hilum) contains the hepatic artery (A),
portal vein (B), and common bile duct (C). The inferior vena cava (D) is
located posterior to the liver and does not pass through the porta hepatis.
The porta hepatis is the entry and exit point for vessels and ducts in the
,liver. The structures in the porta hepatis are collectively known as the portal
triad.
Question 4
The gallbladder is located on the inferior surface of the liver in which
anatomical relationship?
A) Right lobe, between the right and left lobes
B) Left lobe, between the right and left lobes
C) Right lobe, between the right and quadrate lobes
D) Left lobe, between the left and caudate lobes
Correct Answer: C) Right lobe, between the right and quadrate lobes
Rationale: The gallbladder is located on the inferior surface of the right lobe
of the liver, in the fossa between the right lobe and the quadrate lobe. The
gallbladder lies in the gallbladder fossa on the visceral surface of the liver.
The right lobe (A) is too vague. The left lobe (B, D) is incorrect. The
gallbladder is also related to the duodenum and transverse colon.
Question 5
The space of Retzius is located:
A) Behind the pubic symphysis
B) Behind the uterus
C) Behind the bladder
D) Behind the rectum
Correct Answer: A) Behind the pubic symphysis
, Rationale: The space of Retzius (preperitoneal space) is a potential space
located behind the pubic symphysis and anterior to the bladder. It is used
for suprapubic catheter placement and is accessed during some pelvic
surgeries. Behind the uterus (B) is the rectouterine pouch (pouch of
Douglas). Behind the bladder (C) is the vesicouterine pouch (females) or
rectovesical pouch (males). Behind the rectum (D) is the presacral space.
Question 6
The ligament that suspends the ovary is the:
A) Round ligament
B) Broad ligament
C) Suspensory ligament
D) Uterosacral ligament
Correct Answer: C) Suspensory ligament
Rationale: The suspensory ligament of the ovary (infundibulopelvic
ligament) suspends the ovary from the pelvic wall. It contains the ovarian
vessels and nerves. The round ligament (A) supports the uterus. The broad
ligament (B) is a peritoneal fold that supports the uterus, fallopian tubes,
and ovaries. The uterosacral ligament (D) supports the uterus posteriorly.
Question 7
The fascia of Scarpa is located in the:
A) Neck
B) Abdomen
C) Thorax
D) Pelvis
Assistant (ABSA) Complete Exam Prep
Questions with Accurate Solutions and
Detailed Rationales
2026/2026 Edition - 150 Questions
SECTION 1: SURGICAL ANATOMY
Question 1
The ligament of Treitz is located at the:
A) Gastroesophageal junction
B) Duodenojejunal junction
C) Ileocecal junction
D) Hepatoduodenal junction
Correct Answer: B) Duodenojejunal junction
Rationale: The ligament of Treitz (suspensory ligament of the duodenum) is
a fibromuscular band that marks the duodenojejunal junction. It is an
important anatomical landmark that separates the upper GI tract from the
lower GI tract. It is used to identify the beginning of the jejunum during
surgery. The gastroesophageal junction (A) is marked by the Z-line. The
ileocecal junction (C) is between the ileum and cecum. The
hepatoduodenal junction (D) is part of the porta hepatis.
,Question 2
The structure that connects the cecum to the ileum is the:
A) Appendix
B) Ileocecal valve
C) Pyloric sphincter
D) Sphincter of Oddi
Correct Answer: B) Ileocecal valve
Rationale: The ileocecal valve is the sphincter that connects the ileum
(small intestine) to the cecum (large intestine). It regulates the flow of
material from the small intestine to the large intestine and prevents reflux.
The appendix (A) is attached to the cecum. The pyloric sphincter (C)
connects the stomach to the duodenum. The sphincter of Oddi (D) controls
the flow of bile and pancreatic juice into the duodenum.
Question 3
The porta hepatis contains all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Hepatic artery
B) Portal vein
C) Common bile duct
D) Inferior vena cava
Correct Answer: D) Inferior vena cava
Rationale: The porta hepatis (liver hilum) contains the hepatic artery (A),
portal vein (B), and common bile duct (C). The inferior vena cava (D) is
located posterior to the liver and does not pass through the porta hepatis.
The porta hepatis is the entry and exit point for vessels and ducts in the
,liver. The structures in the porta hepatis are collectively known as the portal
triad.
Question 4
The gallbladder is located on the inferior surface of the liver in which
anatomical relationship?
A) Right lobe, between the right and left lobes
B) Left lobe, between the right and left lobes
C) Right lobe, between the right and quadrate lobes
D) Left lobe, between the left and caudate lobes
Correct Answer: C) Right lobe, between the right and quadrate lobes
Rationale: The gallbladder is located on the inferior surface of the right lobe
of the liver, in the fossa between the right lobe and the quadrate lobe. The
gallbladder lies in the gallbladder fossa on the visceral surface of the liver.
The right lobe (A) is too vague. The left lobe (B, D) is incorrect. The
gallbladder is also related to the duodenum and transverse colon.
Question 5
The space of Retzius is located:
A) Behind the pubic symphysis
B) Behind the uterus
C) Behind the bladder
D) Behind the rectum
Correct Answer: A) Behind the pubic symphysis
, Rationale: The space of Retzius (preperitoneal space) is a potential space
located behind the pubic symphysis and anterior to the bladder. It is used
for suprapubic catheter placement and is accessed during some pelvic
surgeries. Behind the uterus (B) is the rectouterine pouch (pouch of
Douglas). Behind the bladder (C) is the vesicouterine pouch (females) or
rectovesical pouch (males). Behind the rectum (D) is the presacral space.
Question 6
The ligament that suspends the ovary is the:
A) Round ligament
B) Broad ligament
C) Suspensory ligament
D) Uterosacral ligament
Correct Answer: C) Suspensory ligament
Rationale: The suspensory ligament of the ovary (infundibulopelvic
ligament) suspends the ovary from the pelvic wall. It contains the ovarian
vessels and nerves. The round ligament (A) supports the uterus. The broad
ligament (B) is a peritoneal fold that supports the uterus, fallopian tubes,
and ovaries. The uterosacral ligament (D) supports the uterus posteriorly.
Question 7
The fascia of Scarpa is located in the:
A) Neck
B) Abdomen
C) Thorax
D) Pelvis
