USMLE Step 1;questions and answers
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
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
,USMLE Step 1;questions and answers
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
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
,USMLE Step 1;questions and answers
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
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
, USMLE Step 1;questions and answers
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 nerve supplies taste sensation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue? - answer:-
Chorda tympani of CN VII
What part of the heart forms • The right border? - answer:-Right atrium
What part of the heart forms • Left border? - answer:-Left ventricle and auricle of left
atrium
What part of the heart forms • Apex? - answer:-Tip of the left ventricle
What part of the heart forms • Base? - answer:-Left atrium and tip of the right atrium
What part of the heart forms • Superior border? - answer:-Conus arteriosus of the right
ventricle and right and left auricles
What part of the heart forms • Anterior wall? - answer:-Right ventricle
What part of the heart forms • Posterior wall? - answer:-Left atrium
What part of the heart forms • Diaphragmatic wall? - answer:-Left ventricle and tip of
right ventricle
What nerves carry the sensory and motor components of the blink reflex? - answer:-CN
V1 carries the sensory and CN VII carries the motor component of the blink reflex.
What muscle keeps the stapes taut against the oval window? - answer:-Stapedius
muscle
Name the components of the femoral canal, working laterally to medially. - answer:-
NAVEL: Femoral Nerve, Artery, Vein, Empty space, and Lymphatics/Lacunar ligament
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
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
,USMLE Step 1;questions and answers
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
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
,USMLE Step 1;questions and answers
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
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
, USMLE Step 1;questions and answers
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 nerve supplies taste sensation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue? - answer:-
Chorda tympani of CN VII
What part of the heart forms • The right border? - answer:-Right atrium
What part of the heart forms • Left border? - answer:-Left ventricle and auricle of left
atrium
What part of the heart forms • Apex? - answer:-Tip of the left ventricle
What part of the heart forms • Base? - answer:-Left atrium and tip of the right atrium
What part of the heart forms • Superior border? - answer:-Conus arteriosus of the right
ventricle and right and left auricles
What part of the heart forms • Anterior wall? - answer:-Right ventricle
What part of the heart forms • Posterior wall? - answer:-Left atrium
What part of the heart forms • Diaphragmatic wall? - answer:-Left ventricle and tip of
right ventricle
What nerves carry the sensory and motor components of the blink reflex? - answer:-CN
V1 carries the sensory and CN VII carries the motor component of the blink reflex.
What muscle keeps the stapes taut against the oval window? - answer:-Stapedius
muscle
Name the components of the femoral canal, working laterally to medially. - answer:-
NAVEL: Femoral Nerve, Artery, Vein, Empty space, and Lymphatics/Lacunar ligament
