PMDC National Licensing Examination Basic Medical Sciences Syllabus

Basic Medical Sciences syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Basic Medical Sciences in PMDC National Licensing Examination, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Gross Anatomy

   4 topics

   • Upper and Lower Limb
   • Thorax
   • Abdomen and Pelvis
   • Head, Neck and Neuroanatomy
2. 2

   Embryology and Histology

   4 topics

   • General Embryology
   • Systemic Embryology and Congenital Anomalies
   • General Histology of Tissues
   • Systemic Histology
3. 3

   Physiology

   6 topics

   • Cardiovascular Physiology
   • Respiratory Physiology
   • Renal Physiology and Acid-Base Balance
   • Endocrine and Reproductive Physiology
   • Nerve, Muscle and CNS Physiology
   • Gastrointestinal Physiology
4. 4

   Biochemistry

   5 topics

   • Carbohydrate Metabolism
   • Lipid and Protein Metabolism
   • Enzymes and Coenzymes
   • Vitamins and Minerals
   • Molecular Biology and Genetics
5. 5

   Pharmacology

   6 topics

   • General Pharmacology
   • Autonomic Nervous System Drugs
   • Cardiovascular and Diuretic Drugs
   • Antimicrobials and Chemotherapy
   • CNS Drugs
   • Adverse Drug Reactions and Toxicology
6. 6

   Pathology and Microbiology

   6 topics

   • General Pathology
   • Systemic Pathology
   • Hematology and Blood Banking
   • General and Systemic Microbiology
   • Immunology
   • Clinical Parasitology

Basic Medical Sciences flashcards for PMDC National Licensing Examination

23 of 57 cards from the Basic Medical Sciences deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the borders of the femoral triangle, and what are its contents from lateral to medial?

   Borders: superiorly the inguinal ligament, laterally the medial border of sartorius, medially the medial border of adductor longus. Contents (lateral to medial, 'NAVEL'): Femoral Nerve, Artery, Vein, Empty space (femoral canal/lymphatics), Lymph node. The nerve lies outside the femoral sheath.

2. Which nerve is most commonly injured in a surgical neck fracture of the humerus, and what deficits result?

   The axillary nerve (C5-C6). It causes loss of deltoid function (impaired arm abduction beyond 15 degrees) and loss of sensation over the regimental badge area on the upper lateral arm. The teres minor is also affected.

3. What is the boundary of the carpal tunnel and which structures pass through it?

   It is bounded by the carpal bones (floor) and the flexor retinaculum (roof). It transmits the median nerve and 9 tendons: 4 flexor digitorum superficialis, 4 flexor digitorum profundus, and 1 flexor pollicis longus.

4. What is the most commonly fractured carpal bone, and what serious complication is associated with it?

   The scaphoid. Its blood supply enters distally, so a fracture (especially of the waist) risks avascular necrosis of the proximal fragment and non-union. It presents with tenderness in the anatomical snuffbox.

5. Which nerve causes foot drop when injured, and where is it most vulnerable?

   The common peroneal (fibular) nerve. It is most vulnerable as it winds around the neck of the fibula. Injury causes foot drop (loss of dorsiflexion and eversion) and a high-stepping gait, with sensory loss over the dorsum of the foot.

6. List the rotator cuff muscles and their collective function.

   Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis (SITS). They stabilize the glenohumeral joint. Supraspinatus initiates abduction; infraspinatus and teres minor laterally rotate; subscapularis medially rotates.

7. What are the boundaries and contents of the cubital fossa?

   Boundaries: laterally brachioradialis, medially pronator teres, superiorly a line between the epicondyles. Contents (lateral to medial): biceps tendon, brachial artery, median nerve (TAN). The radial nerve lies deep at the lateral edge.

8. What are the four parts of the thoracic aorta's branches at the arch (left to right)?

   The three branches of the aortic arch (right to left) are: brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery.

9. Describe the path of a needle during thoracocentesis to avoid the neurovascular bundle.

   The needle should be inserted at the upper border of the rib below the intercostal space, because the intercostal vein, artery, and nerve (VAN) run in the costal groove at the lower border of the rib above.

10. What structures pass through the diaphragm and at what vertebral levels?

    T8: IVC (caval opening). T10: esophagus, vagal trunks (esophageal hiatus). T12: aorta, thoracic duct, azygos vein (aortic hiatus). Mnemonic: 'I 8 10 EGGs AT 12'.

11. What is the difference in the bronchial anatomy that makes aspiration more common on the right?

    The right main bronchus is wider, shorter, and more vertical than the left. Therefore aspirated foreign bodies more commonly enter the right main bronchus.

12. What are the surface markings and significance of the sternal angle (angle of Louis)?

    It is at the junction of the manubrium and body of the sternum at the level of the 2nd costal cartilage / T4-T5 disc. It marks the start/end of the aortic arch, bifurcation of the trachea, and the level of the azygos vein draining into the SVC.

13. What are the layers traversed during a McBurney's point incision for appendectomy?

    Skin, Camper's and Scarpa's fascia, external oblique aponeurosis, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, transversalis fascia, extraperitoneal fat, and parietal peritoneum.

14. What are the contents of the inguinal canal in males and females?

    Males: spermatic cord and the ilioinguinal nerve. Females: round ligament of the uterus and the ilioinguinal nerve. The deep ring is in the transversalis fascia; the superficial ring is in the external oblique aponeurosis.

15. What is the dual blood supply of the liver and the approximate contribution of each?

    The portal vein supplies about 75% of blood flow (deoxygenated but nutrient-rich), and the hepatic artery proper supplies about 25% (oxygenated). They both supply roughly half the oxygen each.

16. Distinguish a direct from an indirect inguinal hernia relative to the inferior epigastric vessels.

    An indirect hernia passes lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels through the deep ring (often congenital, via patent processus vaginalis). A direct hernia passes medial to them through Hesselbach's triangle (acquired, weakness in the posterior wall).

17. What are the components of the portal triad and their relationship in the hepatoduodenal ligament?

    The portal triad consists of the portal vein (posterior), the hepatic artery proper (anterior left), and the common bile duct (anterior right). It lies in the free edge of the lesser omentum, anterior to the epiploic foramen of Winslow.

18. Name the four sites of portosystemic anastomosis and their clinical manifestation in portal hypertension.

    1) Esophageal (esophageal varices), 2) Rectal/anal (anorectal varices), 3) Periumbilical (caput medusae), 4) Retroperitoneal/bare area of liver. These dilate when portal pressure rises.

19. What are the branches of the facial nerve (CN VII) as it exits the parotid gland?

    Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Marginal mandibular, and Cervical branches. Mnemonic: 'To Zanzibar By Motor Car'. The facial nerve passes through the parotid but does not supply it.

20. List the contents of the cavernous sinus.

    Passing through: CN III (oculomotor), CN IV (trochlear), CN V1 (ophthalmic), CN V2 (maxillary) in the lateral wall, and CN VI (abducens) plus the internal carotid artery passing through the sinus itself.

21. Which muscle is the only one that opens the jaw, and what nerve supplies the muscles of mastication?

    The lateral pterygoid opens the jaw (protrusion/depression). All four muscles of mastication (masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral pterygoid) are supplied by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3).

22. Describe the blood supply of the brain via the Circle of Willis.

    It is formed by the anterior cerebral arteries connected by the anterior communicating artery, and the posterior cerebral arteries connected to the internal carotid system via the posterior communicating arteries. It links the internal carotid (anterior) and vertebrobasilar (posterior) circulations.

23. What deficits result from a lesion of the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)?

    It supplies all intrinsic and most extrinsic tongue muscles. A lower motor neuron lesion causes the tongue to deviate toward the side of the lesion on protrusion ('lick your wounds'), with ipsilateral atrophy and fasciculations.

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