Gross Anatomy USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 58-year-old man with a left adrenal mass (12 cm on CT) presents for surgical planning. Vital signs: BP 168/94 mmHg, HR 88/min, RR 14/min, temp 37.2°C. Laboratory studies show elevated 24-hour urinary metanephrines. He denies abdominal pain or flank tenderness. The surgeon plans a retroperitoneal approach via twelfth rib resection for tumor removal. Which structure is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury with this surgical approach?
Answer choices
- AStomach
- BAorta
- CVena cava
- DDiaphragmCorrect answer
- EPancreas
- FSubcostal nerve (T12)
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