Gross Anatomy USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 52-year-old woman undergoes total thyroidectomy for papillary carcinoma. Postoperatively, she develops facial twitching and paresthesias around her mouth. On examination, blood pressure is 128/82 mmHg, heart rate 92/min, and serum calcium is 7.2 mg/dL (normal 8.5-10.5). Chvostek sign is positive. There is no stridor or hoarseness. The surgeon is most worried about intraoperative damage to which of the following vessels?
Answer choices
- AInternal jugular vein
- BFacial vein
- CCommon carotid artery
- DSuperior and inferior thyroid arteriesCorrect answer
- EExternal carotid artery
- FInferior laryngeal artery
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