Access to Surgery: 500 SBAs in Basic and Applied Anatomy - Vocabulary Flashcards

A collection of 50 vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical landmarks, nerves, blood vessels, and embryological structures relevant to surgical training and exams.

Long thoracic nerve

A nerve derived from cervical roots $C5$, $C6$, and $C7$ that provides motor supply to the serratus anterior; its injury typically results in a winging of the scapula.

Serratus anterior

A muscle involved in holding the scapula against the thoracic wall and facilitating forward movement, innervated by the long thoracic nerve.

Olecranon process

A large prominence residing at the posterosuperior aspect of the ulna that serves as the insertion point for the triceps brachii muscle.

Thoracodorsal nerve

A branch originating from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus that supplies the latissimus dorsi muscle.

Annular ligament

A strong band of fibers that encircles the head of the radius to keep it in contact with the radial notch of the ulna.

Supraspinatus

A rotator cuff muscle occupying the supraspinatus fossa that assists the deltoid in initiating abduction of the humerus.

Lateral thoracic artery

A vessel that follows the lower border of the pectoralis minor and supplies the serratus anterior muscle and the pectoral region.

Common flexor tendon

A shared attachment point on the medial epicondyle of the humerus from which several superficial forearm muscles, such as the pronator teres and palmaris longus, originate.

Ulnar nerve

A nerve originating from the medial cord of the brachial plexus ($C8$ and $T1$) that supplies the palmar interosseous muscles and cutaneous sensation to the medial side of the hand.

Intertubercular groove

Also known as the bicipital groove, this humeral structure lodges the long tendon of the biceps brachii muscle.

Extensor retinaculum

A fibrous band on the dorsal surface of the wrist that prevents the tendons of the posterior forearm compartment from bowstringing during hand extension.

Rotator cuff

A group of muscles including the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor that stabilize the glenohumeral joint.

Scaphoid

The largest bone in the proximal row of the carpus, frequently fractured during falls on an outstretched hand.

Quadrangular space

An anatomical gap bounded by the teres minor, teres major, long head of the triceps, and the humerus; it transmits the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery.

Monteggia fracture

A specific injury of the elbow joint involving a fracture of the ulna associated with dislocation of the radial head.

Femoral sheath

A fascial prolongation from the abdomen that invests the femoral artery and vein, divided into lateral, intermediate, and medial (femoral canal) compartments.

Small saphenous vein

A superficial vein beginning behind the lateral malleolus that ascends the back of the leg to empty into the popliteal vein.

Obturator nerve

A nerve arising from $L2$, $L3$, and $L4$ spinal levels that provides motor innervation to the medial compartment of the thigh.

Linea aspera

A longitudinal ridge on the posterior aspect of the femur that serves as an attachment site for various adductor and extensor muscles.

Anterior Drawer Sign

A clinical finding during physical examination that indicates damage or rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament ($ACL$) of the knee.

Adductor canal

Also known as Hunter’s canal, an aponeurotic tunnel in the middle third of the thigh containing the femoral artery, femoral vein, and saphenous nerve.

Thoracic duct

The primary lymphatic channel that conveys lymph and chyle into the venous system, typically varying in length from $38$ to $45\,cm$.

Sternal angle

An important surface landmark corresponding to the junction of the manubrium and sternum where the second costal cartilage attaches.

Costodiaphragmatic recess

The lowest part of the pleural cavity into which lung tissue typically expands only during deep inspiration.

Transverse pericardial sinus

An area within the pericardial sac located behind the pulmonary trunk and aorta and anterior to the superior vena cava.

Carina

A keel-like cartilaginous structure located at the tracheal bifurcation that separates the openings of the right and left main bronchi.

Coeliac trunk

The primary arterial supply to the embryonic foregut, giving rise to the left gastric, common hepatic, and splenic arteries.

Ligament of Treitz

The suspensory muscle or ligament of the duodenum that connects the duodenojejunal flexure to the right crus of the diaphragm.

Arcuate line

The inferior border of the posterior wall of the rectus sheath, located midway between the umbilicus and the symphysis pubis.

Triangle of Calot

A surgical landmark formed by the liver, the cystic duct, and the common hepatic duct, typically containing the cystic artery.

Pelvic diaphragm

A muscular partition formed by the levator ani and the coccygeus muscles that supports the pelvic viscera.

Pudendal nerve

The principal sensory and motor nerve of the perineum, with a root value of $S2$, $S3$, and $S4$.

Mesosalpinx

The portion of the broad ligament that encloses and supports the Fallopian tubes.

Thyroid gland

A vascular endocrine organ located in the visceral space of the neck, consisting of two lobes connected by an isthmus.

Carotid sheath

A fibrous investment enclosing the common and internal carotid arteries, the internal jugular vein, and the vagus nerve.

Pterion

An H-shaped clinical landmark on the side of the skull where the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones meet, overlying the middle meningeal artery.

Middle meningeal artery

The largest artery supplying the dura mater, typically a branch of the maxillary artery; its rupture associated with trauma causes epidural hematoma.

Ciliary ganglion

A small parasympathetic ganglion located in the posterior orbit that provides secretomotor fibers to the ciliary and sphincter pupillae muscles.

Aqueous humour

A clear fluid produced in the posterior chamber of the eye that provides nutrition to the lens and cornea.

Cerebral aqueduct

The narrow channel within the midbrain that connects the third and fourth ventricles of the brain.

Circle of Willis

An arterial anastomosis at the base of the brain formed by the internal carotid and vertebral systems.

Meiosis

The process of cell division in eukaryotes resulting in the formation of haploid cells from a single diploid cell.

Meckel’s diverticulum

A congenital ileal outpouching derived from the remnant of the vitelline duct, occurring in approximately $2\%$ of the population.

Sinus venosus

An embryonic heart cavity that gives rise to the smooth part of the right atrium and the coronary sinus in the adult heart.

Ansa cervicalis

A loop of nerves ($C1$, $C2$, $C3$) that supplies the infrahyoid (strap) muscles of the neck.

Ligamentum denticulatum

A fibrous band of pia mater attached to the dura that serves to stabilize the spinal cord within the vertebral canal.

Pampiniform plexus

A network of many small veins found in the human spermatic cord that eventually coalesce to form the testicular veins.

Substantia gelatinosa

A specific nucleus in the posterior grey column of the spinal cord involved in the transmission of pain and temperature signals.

Edinger–Westphal nucleus

The parasympathetic preganglionic nucleus of the oculomotor nerve that controls the pupillary light reflex and accommodation.

Jelly of Wharton

The specialized embryonic gelatinous connective tissue that surrounds the vessels within the umbilical cord.