Surface Anatomy

Question 1

What is the surface landmark for the right border of the heart?

Answer 1

A line joining the right 3rd costal cartilage 2cm from the sternal edge, to the right 6th costal cartilage 2cm from the sternal edge.

Question 2

What level is the horizontal fissure of the right lung at the midline?

Answer 2

4th costal cartilage

Question 3

What is the surface landmark for the superior border of the heart?

Answer 3

A line joining the 2nd left and 3rd right costal cartilages, 2cm from the sternal edge

Question 4

What is the surface landmark for the gall bladder?

Answer 4

Line of intersection between the linea semilunaris and costal margin on the right

mid clavicular costal margin

Question 5

What is the surface landmark for the left border of the heart?

Answer 5

A line joining the 2nd intercostal space 2cm from the sternal edge, to the 5th intercostal space in the midclavicular line

Question 6

Where should one auscultate for the tricuspid valve?

Answer 6

5th costal cartilage at the sternal margin

Question 7

Where is the apex of the lung?

Answer 7

2.5cm above the medial 1/3 of the clavicle

Question 8

Where is the best place to auscultate the lower lobe of the lung?

Answer 8

Posterior surface of thorax

Question 9

Where is the best place to auscultate the upper lobe of the lung?

Answer 9

Anterior surface of thorax

Question 10

Where should one auscultate for the bicuspid valve?

Answer 10

5th intercostal space in the mid clavicular line

Question 11

Where does the trachea bifurcate?

Answer 11

Behind sternal angle

Question 12

What is the surface landmark for the inferior border of the heart?

Answer 12

A line joining the 5th left intercostal space in the midclavicular line to the 6th right costal cartilage, 2cm from the sternal edge

Question 13

Where does the posterior border of the lung extend from?

Answer 13

From C7 to T10 about 4cm from the midline

Question 14

What is the landmark for the oblique fissure?

Answer 14

Line from spinous process of T2 to the 6th costal cartilage anteriorly

Question 15

What are the surface landmarks for the location of the 4 heart valves?

Answer 15

In an oblique line behind the sternum from 6th right costal cartilage to the 2nd left costal cartilage. From superior to inferior they are pulmonary, aortic, mitral, tricuspid.

Question 16

Where is the apex beat?

Answer 16

5th intercostal space in the mid clavicular line

Question 17

What is the anterior surface landmark for the medial border of the lungs?

Answer 17

From sternoclavicular joint, along the lateral border of the sternum to the 4th costal cartilage

Question 18

Where should one auscultate for the pulmonary valve?

Answer 18

2nd intercostal space at the sternal margin on the left

Question 19

Where should one auscultate for the aortic valve?

Answer 19

2nd intercostal space at the sternal margin on the right

Question 20

Surface anatomy of appendix?

Answer 20

McBurney’s point: junction of lateral 1/3 and medial 2/3 of a line traced from right anterior ASIS to umbilicus

Question 21

Surface anatomical markers for the left kidney?

Answer 21

Left higher than right; superior pole reaches as high as rib 11, inferior pole extends to L3.

Question 22

Surface anatomical markers for the right kidney?

Answer 22

Right lower than left; superior pole reaches as high as rib 12, inferior pole extends to L3.