Practice Quiz - Pelvic Neurovasculature

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  1. Which statement is true regarding pelvic veins?
    The external iliac vein lies medial to the external iliac artery
    The external iliac veins join to form the inferior vena cava
    The inferior vena cava cannot be imaged
    Pelvic veins are usually imaged using an arteriogram
  2. What bony landmark on the lateral pelvic wall may be used as a reference for localizing female pelvic anatomy or pain phenomena?
    Coccyx
    Ischial spine
    Ischial tuberosity
    Obturator canal
    Pectineal line
  3. Which statement about the pelvic floor is NOT correct?
    Along with the pelvic brim, it defines the true pelvic cavity
    It is a funnel-shaped skeletal muscle
    It is referred to as the pelvic diaphragm
    It is tensed during defecation
    It projects into the anal triangle
  4. Following pregnancy and delivery, a 32-year-old woman continued to have problems with urinary incontinence which developed during pregnancy. Her obstetrician counseled her to strengthen the muscle bordering the vagina and urethra, increasing its tone and exerting pressure on the urethra. This physical therapy was soon adequate to restore urinary continence. What muscle was strengthened?
    Coccygeus
    Ischiocavernosus
    Obturator Internus
    Piriformis
    Puborectalis
  5. Preganglionic parasympathetic nerve fibers within the pelvic (inferior hypogastric) plexus arise from S2, 3, 4 and enter the plexus via:
    gray rami communicantes
    hypogastric nerves
    pelvic splanchnic nerves
    sacral splanchnic nerves
    white rami communicantes
  6. While performing a hysterectomy, the resident must ligate the uterine artery. To avoid iatrogenic injury to the ureters, she must be aware that the ureter passes ___________ the artery at the level of the ______________.
    Over; cervix
    Over; fundus of uterus
    Over; pelvic brim
    Under; cervix
    Under; pelvic brim
  7. After giving birth, a patient complains of urinary stress incontinence characterized by dribbling of urine with an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. Her physician suspects injury to the pelvic floor during delivery which may have altered the position of the neck of bladder and the urethra. Which muscle was most likely damaged during the vaginal delivery?
    Bulbospongiosus
    Coccygeus
    Levator ani
    Obturator internus
    Piriformis
  8. A caudal epidural block is a form of regional anesthetic used in childbirth. Within the sacral canal, the anesthetic agent bathes the sacral spinal nerve roots which would anesthetize all of the following nerves except:
    Pelvic splanchnics
    Pudendal
    S2 dorsal root
    Sacral splanchnics
    S2 ventral primary ramus
  9. After giving birth, a patient complains of dribbling of urine while coughing, sneezing, or laughing. Which muscle was most likely damaged during the vaginal delivery?
    Coccygeus
    Levator ani
    Obturator internus
    Piriformis
    Transverse perineal
  10. A patient presents complaining of blood-stained stools and the inability to completely empty his rectum. He also has pain along the back of his thigh and weakness of the posterior thigh muscles. Digital examination reveals a tumor in the posterolateral wall of the rectum. Pressure on what nerve plexus could cause the pain in his lower limb?
    Inferior hypogastric
    Inferior mesenteric
    Lumbar
    Sacral
    Superior hypogastric
  11. In a patient with rectal cancer located in the wall of the ampulla, you find that the cancer has spread to the muscle immediately lateral to the ampulla. This muscle is the:
    Piriformus
    Obturator internus
    Levator ani
    Sphincter urethrae
    Bulbospongeosis
  12. Blood supply to the superior portions of the bladder typically arises from the ____________ arteries.
    Umbilical
    Middle rectal
    Obturator
    Inferior gluteal
    Uterine
  13. The pelvic splanchnic nerves primarily carry ____________ to the _____________ plexus.
    Preganglionic parasympathetics--superior hypogastric
    Preganglionic parasympathetics--inferior hypogastric
    Postganglionic parasympathetics--superior hypogastric
    Postganglionic sympathetics--superior hypogastric
    Postganglionic sympathetics--superior hypogastric
  14. The arcus tendineus levator ani is a thickening of fascia of the:
    Coccygeus
    Obturator externus
    Obturator internus
    Piriformis
  15. The sacral outflow of the parasympathetic (craniosacral) system enters the pelvic plexus via:
    Hypogastric nerves
    Pelvic splanchnic nerves
    Pudendal nerves
    Sacral splanchnic nerves