In this article, we are going to share with you important and high-yield anatomy notes for FCPS Part 1. These notes have been developed by an anonymous student who compiled a list of 300+ high-yield anatomy facts/pearls based on the past papers of FCPS Part 1 exam.
Below are the chapters covered in these high-yield anatomy notes for FCPS Part 1 exam:
- The Back
- Upper Limb
- Lower Limb
- Thorax
- Abdomen
- Pelvis & Perineum
- Head and Neck
- Mixed Topics
These high-yield anatomy notes for FCPS Part 1 are short and to-the-point. You can easily review them while you are taking a ride on a bus or sipping some nice tea/coffee in a restaurant. 🙂
For the ease of readability, we have tabulated all these high-yield anatomy notes for FCPS Part 1 so that you can easily read and skim through if necessary.
We hope that you find this post useful in your FCPS Part 1 exam preparation for the subject of anatomy. 🙂
CHECK ALSO: High-Yield Important FCPS Part 1 Facts & Pearls
High-Yield Anatomy Notes for FCPS Part 1
Below are the high-yield anatomy notes for FCPS Part 1 exam. The facts and their answers have been presented in a tabulated form for the ease of readability.
BACK | |
FACTS | ANSWERS |
1. Exaggerated over-curvature of thoracic area of vertebral column | Kyphosis |
2. Lateral deviation of vertebral column | Scoliosis |
3. Major feature of cervical vertebrae | Transverse foramina |
4. Vertebra located at level of iliac crest | L4 |
5. Ligament that connects internal surface of laminae of vertebrae | Ligamentum flavum |
6. Ligament that checks hyperextension of vertebral column | Anterior longitudinal |
7. Ligament affected by whiplash injury | Anterior longitudinal |
8. Ligament which limits skull rotation | Alar |
9. Defective portion of vertebra with spondylolisthesis in cervical area | Pedicle |
10. Defective portion of vertebra with spondylolisthesis in lumbar area | Pars interarticularis, Lamina |
11. Common direction of all superior articular facets of vertebrae | Posterior |
12. Structure in contact with posterior surface of dens | Transverse ligament of atlas (part of cruciate) |
13. Most commonly herniated intervertebral disc | L4-5 |
14. Most common nerve compressed with herniated intervertebral disc | L5 |
15. Spinal nerve affected by protrusion of the disc between C5/6 | C6 |
16. Thoracic intercostal space located deep to triangle of auscultation | sixth |
17. Vertebral level of lumbar puncture | L4 |
18. Innervation of suboccipital muscles | Suboccipital nerve |
19. Roof of suboccipital triangle | Semispinalis capitis |
20. Floor of suboccipital triangle | Posterior arch of atlas; posterior atlanto-occipital membrane |
21. Major vessel within suboccipital triangle | Vertebral artery |
22. Synonym for dorsal ramus of C2 | Greater occipital nerve |
23. Inferior extent of dura-arachnoid sac | SV2 |
24. Inferior extent of spinal cord | LV2 |
25. Location of internal vertebral plexus | Epidural space |
UPPER LIMB | |
26. Most frequently fractured bone of body | Clavicle |
27. Most frequently dislocated carpal bone | Lunate |
28. Most frequently fracture carpal bone | Scaphoid |
29. Name of fracture of distal radius that produces “dinner fork” appearance | Colleʼs fracture |
30. Nerve injured with fracture of surgical neck of humerus | Axillary |
31. Nerve injured with fracture of medial humeral epicondyle | Ulnar |
32. Nerve injured with fracture of shaft of humerus | Radial |
33. Nerve injured in wrist drop | Radial |
34. Muscle that is chief flexor and chief extensor at shoulder joint | Deltoid |
35. Muscles innervated by axillary nerve | Deltoid and teres minor |
36. Muscle that initiates abduction of arm | Supraspinatus |
37. Most commonly torn tendon of rotator cuff | Supraspinatus |
38. Two muscles that rotate scapula for full abduction of arm | Trapezius and serratus anterior |
39. Tendon that courses through shoulder joint | Long head of biceps |
40. Chief supinator muscle of hand | Biceps brachii |
41. Injury to what nerve causes winged scapula | Long thoracic nerve |
42. Spinal levels of axillary nerve | C5 and C6 |
43. Spinal levels to muscles of the hand | C8 and T1 |
44. Dermatome of thumb | C6 |
45. Nerve to thenar compartment | Recurrent branch of Median |
46. Innervation of adductor pollicis | Ulnar (deep branch) |
47. Innervation to all interosseous muscles | Ulnar (deep branch) |
48. Region affected by upper trunk injury of brachial plexus | Shoulder |
49. Region affected by lower trunk injury of brachial plexus | Intrinsic hand muscles |
50. Nerve compressed with carpal tunnel syndrome | Median |
51. Nerve affected by cubital tunnel syndrome | Ulnar |
52. Paralysis of which muscles results in total “claw” hand | Lumbricals |
LOWER LIMB | |
53. Boundaries of femoral triangle | Inguinal ligament, sartorius and adductor longus |
54. Structure immediately lateral to femoral sheath | Femoral nerve |
55. Structure immediately medial to femoral artery in femoral sheath | Femoral vein |
56. Contents of femoral canal | Deep inguinal lymph nodes |
57. Medial boundary of femoral ring | Lacunar ligament |
58. Structures that course throughout entire length of adductor canal | Femoral artery and vein |
59. Structures that course through only portion of adductor canal | Saphenous nerve, nerve to vastus medialis, descending genicular vessels |
60. Muscle that forms floor of popliteal fossa | Popliteus |
61. Muscle that is chief flexor at hip joint | Iliopsoas |
62. Muscle that prevents pelvis from tilting when walking | Gluteus medius |
63. Muscle that extends leg | Quadriceps femoris |
64. Muscle that unlocks knee joint | Popliteus |
65. Muscle affected with “foot slap” | Tibialis anterior |
66. Chief invertors of foot | Tibialis anterior and posterior |
67. Chief evertors of foot | Fibularis longus and brevis |
68. Ligament that checks backward displacement of femur on tibia | Anterior cruciate |
69. Ligament laxity with positive valgus maneuver | Medial collateral |
70. Most commonly injured ankle ligament | Anterior talofibular |
71. Ligament stretched with “flat foot” | Plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) |
72. Joints for movements of inversion and eversion | Subtalar and transverse Tarsa |
73. Major artery to head of femur in adult | Medial femoral circumflex |
74. Nerve affected with fracture of head and neck of fibula | Common fibular |
75. Tendon affected with avulsion fracture of 5th metatarsal | Fibularis brevis |
76. Innervation of adductor magnus | Obturator, tibial portion of Sciatic |
77. Nerve affected with tarsal tunnel syndrome | Tibial |
78. Cutaneous innervation to medial side of foot | Saphenous (L4) |
79. Cutaneous innervation to lateral side of foot | Sural (S1) |
80. Cutaneous innervation of heel | Tibial |
81. Cutaneous innervation to dorsal aspect of web between toes 1 and 2 | Deep fibular |
82. Cutaneous innervation of most of dorsum of foot | Superficial fibular |
83. Major dermatome to big toe | L4 |
84. Dermatome to small toe | S1 |
85. Spinal level of patellar reflex | L4 |
86. Spinal level of Achilles reflex | S1 |
87. Locking of knee when walking suggests | Meniscus injury |
88. Major injury triad with lateral impact to knee | Medial collateral, medial meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament |
THORAX | |
89. Dermatome around nipple | T4 |
90. Vertebral level at inferior angle of scapula | TV7 |
91. Structure that lies immediately posterior to manubrium | Thymus |
92. Rib related to oblique fissure of lung posteriorly | 2nd |
93. Rib paralleled by horizontal fissure of right lung | 4th |
94. Inferior extent of lung at midclavicular line | 6th rib |
95. Inferior extent of pleura at midclavicular line | 8th rib |
96. Inferior extent of lung at midaxillary line | 8th rib |
97. Inferior extent of pleura at midaxillary line | 10th rib |
98. Inferior extent of lung posteriorly | 10th rib |
99. Inferior extent of pleura posteriorly | 12th rib |
100. Innervation of costal pleura | Intercostal nerve |
101. Innervation of mediastinal pleura | Phrenic nerve |
102. Site for auscultation of pulmonary valve | Left 2nd interspace |
103. Site for auscultation of aortic valve | Right 2nd interspace |
104. Site for auscultation of tricuspid valve | Xiphisternal joint |
105. Site for auscultation of mitral valve | Left 5th interspace, midclavicular line |
106. Heart chamber with greatest sternocostal projection | Right ventricle |
107. Chamber that forms apex of heart | Left ventricle |
108. major chamber that forms base of heart | Left atrium |
109. Heart chamber that contains moderator band | Right ventricle |
110. Artery that determines coronary dominance | Posterior interventricular |
111. Usual origin of SA and AV nodal arteries | Right coronary artery |
112. Location of SA node | Cristae terminalis |
113. Major vessel that drains the musculature of the heart | Coronary sinus |
114. Innervation of fibrous pericardium | Phrenic nerve |
115. Most common cause of systolic ejection murmur | Aortic stenosis |
116. Rib associated with sternal angle | Second rib |
117. Vertebral level associated with sternal angle | Disc between TV4-5 |
118. Location of ductus arteriosus | Between left pulmonary artery and aorta |
119. Nerve potentially injured with repair of patent ductus arteriosus | Left recurrent laryngeal Nerve |
120. Veins that unite to form brachiocephalic | Subclavian and internal Jugular |
121. Veins that unite to form superior vena cava | Right and left Brachiocephalic |
122. Termination of azygos vein | Superior vena cava |
123. Structures that lie to right and left of thoracic duct | Azygos veins, aorta |
124. Spinal levels of greater splanchnic nerve | T5-9 |
125. Spinal levels of lesser splanchnic nerve | T10-11 |
126. Spinal levels of least splanchnic nerve | T12 |
127. Thoracic structures that can compress the esophagus | Left bronchus, aorta and Diaphragm |
128. Disease often associated with thymoma | Myasthenia gravis |
ABDOMEN | |
129. Remnant of umbilical vein | Round ligament of liver |
130. Dermatome to umbilical area | T10 |
131. Dermatome to suprapubic area | L1 |
132. Vertebral level associated with origin of celiac artery | T12 |
133. Vertebral level associated with origin of SMA | L1 |
134. Vertebral level associated with origin renal arteries | L2 |
135. Vertebral level associated with origin of gonadal arteries | L2 |
136. Vertebral level associated with origin of IMA | L3 |
137. Vertebral level of umbilicus | Disc L3-4 |
138. Vertebral level of aortic bifurcation | L5 |
139. Vertebral level for formation of IVC | L5 |
140. Spinal levels to muscles of anterior abdominal wall | T7 – L1 |
141. Structure that forms superficial inguinal ring | Aponeurosis of external Oblique |
142. Structure that forms deep inguinal ring | Trasnversalis fasica |
143. Structure that form floor of inguinal canal | Inguinal ligament |
144. Bony attachments of inguinal ligament | ASIS and pubic tubercle |
145. Structures that form conjoint tendon | Internal oblique and transversus abdominis |
146. Abdominal layer continuous with external spermatic fascia | External oblique |
147. Abdominal continuous with cremasteric fascia | Internal oblique |
148. Abdominal layer continuous with internal spermatic fascia | Transversalis fascia |
149. Structure that lies between protrusion sites of direct and indirect hernias | Inferior epigastric artery |
150. Type of hernia that enters deep inguinal ring | Indirect inguinal |
151. Most common type of hernia | Indirect inguinal |
152. Most common side for indirect inguinal hernia | Right |
153. Type of hernia that protrudes through Hesselbachʼs triangle | Direct inguinal |
154. Boundaries of Hesselbachʼs triangle | nguinal ligament, rectus abdominis, inferior epigastric artery and vein |
155. Type of hernia that traverses both deep and superficial rings | Indirect inguinal |
156. Fluid in processus vaginalis | Hydrocele |
157. Communication between greater and lesser sacs | Epiploic foramen |
158. Superior border of epiploic foramen | Caudate lobe of liver |
159. Inferior border of epiploic foramen | Part one of duodenum |
160. Posterior border of epiploic foramen | IVC |
161. Ligament that contains portal vein, hepatic artery and bile duct | Hepatoduodenal (lesser omentum) |
162. Structure that limits spread of ascitic fluid in left paracolic gutter | Phrenicocolic ligament |
163. Structuer that limits spread of ascitic fluid within infracolic compartment | Root of mesentary |
164. Superior extent of right paracolic gutter | Hepatorenal recess |
165. Most inferior portion of peritoneal cavity | Rectouterine pouch |
166. Structures supplied by celiac artery | Stomach, duodenum, liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas |
167. Branches of celiac artery | Left gastric, common hepatic and splenic |
168. Blood supply to stomach | Right and left gastroepiploics, right, left and short gastric |
169. Major structures of bed of stomach | Pancreas, spleen, left kidney and suprarenal gland, diaphragm |
170. Ducts that join to form common bile duct | Cystic and common Hepatic |
171. Structure that separates right and left lobes of liver | Falciform ligament |
172. Origin of cystic artery | Right hepatic artery |
173. Ribs directly related to spleen | Ribs 9-11 |
174. Organs related to spleen | Stomach, colon, left kidney, tail of pancreas |
175. Artery to small intestine | SMA |
176. Organs supplied by both celiac and SMA | Duodenum, pancreas |
177. Organs supplied by both SMA and IMA | Transverse colon |
178. Vessel located posterior to head of pancreas | IVC |
179. Vessel located posterior to neck of pancreas | Portal vein |
180. Veins that unite to form portal vein | Splenic and SMV |
181. Clinically importatnt organs for portacaval anastomoses | Esophagus, rectum, liver |
182. Two structures that lies posterior to SMA near its origin | Left renal vein, duodenum |
183. Three distinguishing features of the large intestine | Tenia coli, haustra, epiploic appendages |
184. Termination of left gonadal vein | Left renal vein |
185. Termination of right gonadal vein | Inferior vena cava |
186. Location of initial pain of appendicitis | Umbilical region |
187. Motor innervation of diaphragm | Phrenic |
188. Sensory innervation of diaphragm | Phrenic + intercostal |
189. Spinal levels of phrenic nerve | C3-5 |
190. Vertebral level that inferior vena cava traverses diaphragm | T8 |
191. Vertebral level that esophagus traverses diaphragm | T10 |
192. Structures that traverse diaphragm with esophagus | Vagal trunks |
193. Vertebral level that aorta traverses diaphragm | T12 |
194. Structure that traverses diaphragm with aorta | Thoracic duct |
195. Structure that traverses diaphragm through crura | Greater, lesser and least splanchnic nerves |
PELVIS AND PERINEUM | |
196. Structure that separates pelvis and perineum | Pelvic diaphragm |
197. Two major components of pelvic diaphragm | Levator ani + coccygeus |
198. Two major components of levator ani | Pubococcygeus and Iliococcygeus |
199. Two muscles which close lateral pelvic wall | Obturator internus and Piriformis |
200. Means by which obturator internus exits pelvis | Lesser sciatic foramen |
201. Means by which piriformis exits pelvis | Greater sciatic foramen |
202. Innervation of detrusor | Pelvic splanchnics (S2-4) |
203. Remnants of umbilical arteries | Medial umbilical ligaments |
204. Chief artery to rectal mucosa | Superior rectal |
205. Most common type of pelvic inlet in females | Gynecoid |
206. Two remnants of gubernaculum in females | Ovarian and round Ligament |
207. Ligament that contains ovarian vessels | Suspensory ligament of Ovary |
208. Lymph nodes for ovary and testes | Lumbar |
209. Normal position of uterus | Anterverted, anteflexed |
210. Chief uterine support | Pubococcygeus |
211. Ligament that contains uterine vessels | Lateral cervical |
212. Structure potentially injured with hysterectomy | Ureter |
213. Relation of ureter to uterine artery | Inferior and posterior |
214. Structure that separates deep and superficial perineal spaces | Perineal membrane |
215. Bony landmarks between anal and UG triangles | Ischial tuberosities |
216. Lateral wall of ischioanal fossa | Fascia of obturator Internus |
217. Structure that forms the pudendal canal | Fascia of obturator Internus |
218. Structure that separates internal and external hemorrhoids | Pectinate line |
219. Lymph nodes for area superior to pectinate line of anal cana | Internal iliac, IM |
220. Lymph nodes for area inferior to pectinate line of anal canal | Superficial inguinal |
221. Major structure of deep perineal space | Sphincter urethrae |
222. Lymph nodes for glans penis | Deep inguinal |
223. Muscle which compresses the bulb of penis | Bulbospongiosus |
224. Muscle which compresses the crus of penis | Ischiocavernosus |
225. Muscles which meet at the perineal body | Superficial and deep perineal, bulbospongiosus, external anal sphincter, pubococcygeus |
HEAD AND NECK | |
226. Vertebral level of hyoid bone | CV3 |
227. Vertebral level of thyroid cartilage | CV4,5 |
228. Vertebral level of cricoid cartilage | CV6 |
229. Muscles that are innervated by CN XI | Trapezius, SCM |
230. Structures that course between anterior and middle scalene | Brachial plexus, subclavian artery |
231. Innervation of omohyoid, sternohyoid and sternothyroid | Ansa cervicalis |
232. Innervation of digastric | Anterior belly = CN V Posterior belly = CN VII |
233. Innervation of carotid sinus and carotid body | CN IX, CN X |
234. Major structures to pass through pharyngeal wall superior to superior constrictor | Auditory tube, levator veli Palatini |
235. Nerves of pharyngeal plexus | CN IX, CN X, Sympathetics |
236. Only muscle innervated by CN IX | Stylopharyngeus |
237. Structures that pierce thyrohyoid membrane | Internal laryngeal nerve, superior laryngeal artery |
238. Only muscle to abduct vocal cords | Posterior cricoarytenoid |
239. Innervation of cricothyroid | External laryngeal nerve |
240. Innervation of laryngeal muscles exclusive of cricothyroid | Recurrent laryngeal |
241. Muscle that increases tension on vocal cords | Cricothyroid |
242. Sensory nerve to larynx superior to vocal cords | Internal laryngeal |
243. Sensory nerve to larynx inferior to vocal cords | Recurrent laryngeal |
244. Site of aspirated lodged fishbone | Piriform recess |
245. Afferent – efferent limbs of gag reflex | CN IX – CN X |
246. Afferent – efferent limbs of cough reflex | CN X – CN X |
247. Nerve injury that causes hoarseness following thyroid surgery | Recurrent laryngeal |
248. Chief structures that traverse internal acoustic meatus | CN VII and VIII |
249. Foramen where CN VII exits skull | Stylomastoid foramen |
250. Major arterial supply to calvaria and supratentorial dura | Middle meningeal |
251. Major cutaneous nerve of face | CN V |
252. Major artery to internal structures of head | Maxillary |
253. Spinal levels of sympathetic fibers to head | T1 – 2 |
254. Autonomic ganglia for CN III | Ciliary |
255. Sensory ganglia for CN VII | Geniculate |
256. Autonomic ganglia for CN VII | PPG and submandibular |
257. Autonomic ganglia for CN IX | Otic |
258. Muscle attached to disc of TMJ | Lateral pterygoid |
259. Muscle that retracts mandible | Temporalis |
260. Major nerve to TMJ (pain) | Auriculotemporal |
261. Specific nerves that elicit secretion from the parotid gland | Tympanic branch of CN IX and lesser petrosal |
262. Branch of CN V that carries parasympathetics to parotid | Auriculotemporal |
263. Structure that opens into superior meatus of nasal cavity | Posterior ethmoid sinus |
264. Structures that open into middle meatus of nasal cavity | Frontal, maxillary, anterior and middle ethmoid |
265. Structures that opens into inferior meatus of nasal cavity | Nasolacrimal duct |
266. Major artery to nasal cavity | Sphenopalatine |
267. Most common site of nose bleed | Kiesselbachʼs plexus |
268. Innervation of levator veli palatini | CN X |
269. Muscle that opens auditory tube | Tensor veli palatini |
270. Innervation of tensor veli palatini | CN V3 |
271. Nerve that provides taste to anterior 2/3 of tongue | Chorda tympani |
272. Site of cell bodies for nerve that carries taste to anterior 2/3 of tongue | Geniculate ganglion |
273. Specific nerve that elicits secretion from submandibular gland | Chorda tympani |
274. Branch of CN V that carries parasympathetic to submandibular | Lingual |
275. Nerve injured when tonsilar pillars sag and uvula deviates | CN X |
276. Nerve potentially injured with tonsillectomy | CN IX |
277. Muscle that protrudes tongue | Genioglossus |
278. Nerve injured when deviation of protruded tongue | Ipsilateral CN XII |
279. Specific nerve that stimulates tear production | Greater petrosal CN VII |
280. Sensory nerve to cornea | CN V1 (nasociliary) |
281. Muscle that elevates and abducts eye | Inferior oblique |
282. Muscle that depresses and abducts eye | Superior oblique |
283. Site of preganglionic nerve cells that elicits dilation of pupil | Lateral horn, T1 – 2 |
284. Site of postganglionic nerve cells that elicits dilation of pupil | Superior cervical ganglion |
285. Site of preganglionic nerve cells that elicits constriction of pupil | Edinger-Westphal |
286. Site of postganglionic nerve cells that elicits constriction of pupil | Ciliary ganglion |
287. Innervation of external surface of tympanic membrane | Auriculotemporal, CN X |
288. Innervation of internal surface of tympanic membrane | CN IX |
MIXED TOPICS | |
289. Level where ascending aorta is continuous with arch of aorta | TV4-5 |
290. Level where arch of aorta is continuous with descending aorta | TV4-5 |
291. Effect of sympathetic nerves on lungs | Bronchodilation, Vasoconstriction |
292. Effect of parasympathetic nerves on lungs | Bronchoconstriction, Vasodilation |
293. Rationale for aspirated small objects to go to right primary bronchus | Wider diameter, shorter and more vertical |
294. Needle location for therapeutic pleural tapping | Superior to 12th rib, posteriorly |
295. Name given to portion of right ventricle prior to beginning of pulmonary trunk | conus arteriosum or infundibulum |
296. Name given to orientation where uterus and vagina intersect at angle of 90 degrees | Anteversion |
297. Name given to orientation where uterine body and cervix intersect at angle of 10-15 degrees | Anteflexion |
298. Ridge located between sinus venarum and right ventricle | Cristae terminalis |
299. Nerve at risk when performing thyroidectomy | Both left and right recurrent laryngeal nerves |
300. Specific muscle that holds patella in place | Vastus medialis |
301. First portion of quadriceps femoris to atrophy with injury to femoral nerve | Vastus medialis |
302. Last portion of quadriceps femoris to recover following injury | Vastus medialis |
303. Innervation to nail bed of middle finger | Median nerve |
304. Innervation to nail bed of ring finger | Ulnar and median |
305. Spinal nerve affected with herniated disc at L3/L4 | L4 |
GOOD LUCK! 🙂
thank you
Do you have gold men file #5? Can you please email it to me?
Really a great work
Thank you so much!
Very very lovely and nice
Please do you have compiled anatomy questions
thanks
very very much