GRAY'S ANATOMY FOR STUDENTS
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)RICHARD L. DRAKE
TEST BANK
1)
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Body — What is anatomy?
Stem: A trainee palpates a patient's clavicle lateral to the
sternoclavicular joint and describes the location as “superior
and lateral relative to the first rib.” The trainee is uncertain
whether this description uses regional (surface) or directional
terminology. Which interpretation best uses anatomical
terminology to communicate precise location to a surgeon
prepping for an incision?
A. “Clavicle is superficial and lateral to first rib.”
B. “Clavicle is posterior and medial to first rib.”
C. “Clavicle lies superficial and proximal to first rib.”
D. “Clavicle is deep and lateral to first rib.”
Correct answer: A
,Correct answer rationale (3–4 sentences):
“Superficial” describes tissue closer to the surface and is
appropriate for the clavicle relative to the deep first rib;
“lateral” indicates farther from the midline. Together these
directional terms convey precise relations used in surgery and
surface anatomy. This aligns with Gray’s emphasis on consistent
use of standard positional and directional terms to avoid
ambiguity.
Incorrect answer rationales (1–3 sentences each):
B. Posterior/medial contradicts the typical anatomical relation
— the clavicle is anterior/superficial, not posterior and medial
to the first rib.
C. “Proximal” is used for limbs relative to trunk, so it’s
inappropriate here; also the clavicle is not deep to the first rib.
D. “Deep” is incorrect because the first rib is deep to the
clavicle, not vice versa.
Teaching point: Use standard directional terms
(superficial/deep, medial/lateral) for precise location.
Citation: Drake, R. L. (2024). Gray’s Anatomy for Students (5th
Ed.). Ch. 1.
2)
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Body — Imaging
Stem: A junior clinician reviews an axial CT image at the level of
the mid-thorax. On the monitor, structures appear with the
,patient’s right on the viewer’s left. The clinician needs to
describe a right-sided pleural effusion for the radiology report.
Which descriptive phrasing best communicates laterality using
standard radiological orientation?
A. “Fluid collection in the left pleural cavity (patient’s right).”
B. “Fluid collection in the right pleural cavity (viewer’s left).”
C. “Fluid collection in the right pleural cavity (patient’s right).”
D. “Fluid collection posterolateral to the heart (viewer’s left).”
Correct answer: C
Correct answer rationale (3–4 sentences):
Radiological convention is to describe findings relative to the
patient’s anatomy (patient’s right/left), not the viewer. Stating
“right pleural cavity (patient’s right)” is clear and unambiguous.
Gray’s imaging guidance stresses standardized orientation
language to prevent surgical/radiologic errors.
Incorrect answer rationales (1–3 sentences each):
A. This reverses laterality and would cause critical confusion.
B. Adding “viewer’s left” ties description to the image
orientation rather than the patient, which is nonstandard.
D. “Posterolateral to the heart” is less specific about laterality
and may not clearly identify the pleural cavity involved.
Teaching point: Always report imaging laterality relative to the
patient, not the viewer.
Citation: Drake, R. L. (2024). Gray’s Anatomy for Students (5th
Ed.). Ch. 1.
, 3)
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Body — Body systems
Stem: A patient presents with generalized edema and shortness
of breath. The clinician must decide which body system
dysfunction most directly explains fluid accumulation in
interstitial tissue and impaired oxygenation. Which system
failure best links to these combined signs?
A. Nervous system failure causing loss of sympathetic tone.
B. Cardiovascular (cardiac) pump failure leading to increased
hydrostatic pressure.
C. Integumentary system failure reducing skin elasticity.
D. Skeletal system fracture causing immobilization.
Correct answer: B
Correct answer rationale (3–4 sentences):
Cardiac pump failure raises venous hydrostatic pressure,
promoting transudation of fluid into interstitial spaces
(peripheral edema) and pulmonary interstitial/alveolar edema,
causing dyspnea. This is a classic structure–function linkage:
heart (structure) failing to maintain forward flow (function)
alters fluid dynamics. Gray’s systems approach ties
cardiovascular dysfunction to fluid balance and respiratory
compromise.
Incorrect answer rationales (1–3 sentences each):
A. Loss of sympathetic tone affects vascular resistance but is
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)RICHARD L. DRAKE
TEST BANK
1)
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Body — What is anatomy?
Stem: A trainee palpates a patient's clavicle lateral to the
sternoclavicular joint and describes the location as “superior
and lateral relative to the first rib.” The trainee is uncertain
whether this description uses regional (surface) or directional
terminology. Which interpretation best uses anatomical
terminology to communicate precise location to a surgeon
prepping for an incision?
A. “Clavicle is superficial and lateral to first rib.”
B. “Clavicle is posterior and medial to first rib.”
C. “Clavicle lies superficial and proximal to first rib.”
D. “Clavicle is deep and lateral to first rib.”
Correct answer: A
,Correct answer rationale (3–4 sentences):
“Superficial” describes tissue closer to the surface and is
appropriate for the clavicle relative to the deep first rib;
“lateral” indicates farther from the midline. Together these
directional terms convey precise relations used in surgery and
surface anatomy. This aligns with Gray’s emphasis on consistent
use of standard positional and directional terms to avoid
ambiguity.
Incorrect answer rationales (1–3 sentences each):
B. Posterior/medial contradicts the typical anatomical relation
— the clavicle is anterior/superficial, not posterior and medial
to the first rib.
C. “Proximal” is used for limbs relative to trunk, so it’s
inappropriate here; also the clavicle is not deep to the first rib.
D. “Deep” is incorrect because the first rib is deep to the
clavicle, not vice versa.
Teaching point: Use standard directional terms
(superficial/deep, medial/lateral) for precise location.
Citation: Drake, R. L. (2024). Gray’s Anatomy for Students (5th
Ed.). Ch. 1.
2)
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Body — Imaging
Stem: A junior clinician reviews an axial CT image at the level of
the mid-thorax. On the monitor, structures appear with the
,patient’s right on the viewer’s left. The clinician needs to
describe a right-sided pleural effusion for the radiology report.
Which descriptive phrasing best communicates laterality using
standard radiological orientation?
A. “Fluid collection in the left pleural cavity (patient’s right).”
B. “Fluid collection in the right pleural cavity (viewer’s left).”
C. “Fluid collection in the right pleural cavity (patient’s right).”
D. “Fluid collection posterolateral to the heart (viewer’s left).”
Correct answer: C
Correct answer rationale (3–4 sentences):
Radiological convention is to describe findings relative to the
patient’s anatomy (patient’s right/left), not the viewer. Stating
“right pleural cavity (patient’s right)” is clear and unambiguous.
Gray’s imaging guidance stresses standardized orientation
language to prevent surgical/radiologic errors.
Incorrect answer rationales (1–3 sentences each):
A. This reverses laterality and would cause critical confusion.
B. Adding “viewer’s left” ties description to the image
orientation rather than the patient, which is nonstandard.
D. “Posterolateral to the heart” is less specific about laterality
and may not clearly identify the pleural cavity involved.
Teaching point: Always report imaging laterality relative to the
patient, not the viewer.
Citation: Drake, R. L. (2024). Gray’s Anatomy for Students (5th
Ed.). Ch. 1.
, 3)
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Body — Body systems
Stem: A patient presents with generalized edema and shortness
of breath. The clinician must decide which body system
dysfunction most directly explains fluid accumulation in
interstitial tissue and impaired oxygenation. Which system
failure best links to these combined signs?
A. Nervous system failure causing loss of sympathetic tone.
B. Cardiovascular (cardiac) pump failure leading to increased
hydrostatic pressure.
C. Integumentary system failure reducing skin elasticity.
D. Skeletal system fracture causing immobilization.
Correct answer: B
Correct answer rationale (3–4 sentences):
Cardiac pump failure raises venous hydrostatic pressure,
promoting transudation of fluid into interstitial spaces
(peripheral edema) and pulmonary interstitial/alveolar edema,
causing dyspnea. This is a classic structure–function linkage:
heart (structure) failing to maintain forward flow (function)
alters fluid dynamics. Gray’s systems approach ties
cardiovascular dysfunction to fluid balance and respiratory
compromise.
Incorrect answer rationales (1–3 sentences each):
A. Loss of sympathetic tone affects vascular resistance but is
