100+ Free FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I Practice Questions

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Key Facts: FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I Exam

100 Qs

Practice Bank Size

OpenExamPrep Practice Bank

R15 500

Exam Fee

CMSA Fee Schedule

50%

Passing Score

CMSA Regulations

CMSA

Exam Body

College of Neurosurgeons of SA

The CMSA FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I tests candidates on neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropathology, neuropharmacology, and surgical basic sciences. This bank offers 100 high-yield, scientifically accurate practice questions mapped to the CMSA syllabus.

Sample FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 45-year-old male presents with severe headache, neck stiffness, and progressive gait ataxia. MRI demonstrates cerebellar tonsillar herniation 8 mm below the level of the foramen magnum. Which of the following neuroanatomical structures forms the anterior boundary of the foramen magnum?

A.Basion of the occipital bone

B.Opisthion of the occipital bone

C.Posterior arch of the atlas

D.Tectal plate of the midbrain

Explanation: The basion is the midpoint of the anterior margin of the foramen magnum on the basilar part of the occipital bone. The opisthion forms the posterior midpoint. In cerebellar tonsillar herniation (Chiari malformation or mass effect), the tonsils descend past the basion-opisthion line into the cervical canal.

2A neurosurgical resident is performing a pterional craniotomy to clip an unruptured posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysm. During dissecting, parasympathetic preganglionic fibers running within the oculomotor nerve (CN III) are identified. In which functional sub-nucleus of CN III do these parasympathetic fibers originate?

A.Edinger-Westphal nucleus

B.Central caudal nucleus

C.Main motor nucleus of CN III

D.Superior salivatory nucleus

Explanation: The preganglionic parasympathetic fibers that control pupillary constriction (sphincter pupillae) and accommodation (ciliary muscle) originate in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus. These fibers travel on the superficial dorsomedial aspect of CN III, making them vulnerable to compression by PCoA aneurysms, resulting in early pupillary dilation.

3During a transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary macroadenoma, the surgeon is cautious near the lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus. Which of the following structures passes directly through the body of the cavernous sinus alongside the internal carotid artery, rather than lying in its lateral wall?

A.Abducens nerve (CN VI)

B.Oculomotor nerve (CN III)

C.Trochlear nerve (CN IV)

D.Ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve (CN V1)

Explanation: The abducens nerve (CN VI) and the internal carotid artery (ICA) traverse directly through the cavity of the cavernous sinus, surrounded by venous blood. In contrast, CN III, CN IV, CN V1, and CN V2 run embedded within the dural lateral wall of the cavernous sinus.

4Anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms frequently project in complex directions. Which arterial branch arises near the ACoA junction from the A1/A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery to supply the anterior limb of the internal capsule and head of the caudate nucleus?

A.Recurrent artery of Heubner

B.Anterior choroidal artery

C.Posterior communicating artery

D.Ophthalmic artery

Explanation: The recurrent artery of Heubner (medial striate artery) originates from the distal A1 or proximal A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery near the ACoA. It travels backward along the A1 segment to enter the anterior perforated substance, supplying the anterior limb of the internal capsule, head of the caudate nucleus, and anterior putamen.

5A patient suffers a hypertensive lacunar infarct involving the posterior limb of the internal capsule. Which arterial supply is predominantly responsible for this anatomical region?

A.Lenticulostriate arteries from the middle cerebral artery

B.Cortical branches of the anterior cerebral artery

C.Thalamoperforating arteries from the P1 segment

D.Superior cerebellar artery branches

Explanation: The lenticulostriate arteries, originating from the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery, penetrate the anterior perforated substance to supply the superior part of the anterior limb, posterior limb, and body of the caudate/putamen/globus pallidus.

6A 52-year-old female presents with lancinating facial pain triggered by light touch to the cheek (trigeminal neuralgia). Pain and temperature sensation from the face travel downwards in the brainstem within which structure before synapsing?

A.Spinal trigeminal tract

B.Chief sensory nucleus of V

C.Mesencephalic nucleus of V

D.Medial lemniscus

Explanation: Nociceptive and thermal primary afferents of the trigeminal nerve descend as the spinal trigeminal tract through the pons and medulla down to the upper cervical cord (C2/C3) before synapsing in the spinal trigeminal nucleus.

7In cerebral ventricular system anatomy, cerebrospinal fluid passes from the fourth ventricle into the subarachnoid space via lateral outlets. What are these paired apertures called?

A.Foramina of Luschka

B.Foramen of Magendie

C.Foramen of Monro

D.Aqueduct of Sylvius

Explanation: The paired lateral apertures of the fourth ventricle located at the cerebellopontine angles are the foramina of Luschka. The single midline aperture is the foramen of Magendie.

8During a microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm, the facial nerve (CN VII) is identified at the root exit zone. Which artery is most commonly found compressing CN VII at the brainstem?

A.Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA)

B.Superior cerebellar artery (SCA)

C.Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)

D.Anterior spinal artery

Explanation: The anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) or a loop of PICA/vertebral artery is the primary vessel implicated in hemifacial spasm by compressing the facial nerve root exit zone near the pontomedullary junction. SCA compresses CN V in trigeminal neuralgia.

9Which cranial nerve has the longest intracranial intradural course and exits the posterior (dorsal) surface of the brainstem before curving around the midbrain beneath the tentorial edge?

A.Trochlear nerve (CN IV)

B.Abducens nerve (CN VI)

C.Oculomotor nerve (CN III)

D.Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

Explanation: The trochlear nerve (CN IV) is unique: it is the only cranial nerve that emerges from the dorsal aspect of the brainstem, decussates completely within the superior medullary velum, and has the longest intradural course, making it vulnerable in head trauma and tentorial herniation.

10A patient presents with Brown-Séquard syndrome following a cervical stab wound. Which spinal cord tract decussates in the anterior white commissure 1 to 2 spinal segments above the level of entry?

A.Anterolateral (spinothalamic) tract

B.Lateral corticospinal tract

C.Fasciculus gracilis

D.Fasciculus cuneatus

Explanation: Pain and temperature fibers enter the dorsal horn, ascend 1-2 segments in Lissauer's tract, synapse, and then cross in the anterior white commissure to form the contralateral spinothalamic tract. Hemisection causes loss of pain/temperature on the contralateral side 1-2 segments below the lesion.

About the FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I Exam

The FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I is the primary fellowship examination of the College of Neurosurgeons of South Africa. It evaluates candidates in the foundational neurosurgical basic sciences required for clinical neurosurgery practice and specialist registrar training in South Africa.

Assessment

Written examination papers assessing neurosurgical basic sciences (neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropathology, neuropharmacology, neuroradiology, and surgical principles).

Time Limit

Per CMSA written examination diet schedule

Passing Score

Overall 50% with written subminimum

Exam Fee

R12 950 (College of Neurosurgeons of South Africa (Colleges of Medicine of South Africa))

FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I Exam Content Outline

30%

Neuroanatomy & Cranial Pathways

Detailed surgical neuroanatomy, cranial nerves, cerebral vasculature, brainstem architecture, spinal tracts, and venous sinuses.

25%

Neurophysiology & ICP Mechanics

Intracranial pressure, cerebral blood flow regulation, Monro-Kellie principle, CSF dynamics, and central nervous system electrophysiology.

20%

Neuropathology & Neuro-Oncology

CNS histopathology, WHO tumor staging/grading, ischemic stroke pathology, traumatic brain injury mechanisms, and cerebral hemorrhage.

25%

Neuropharmacology & Surgical Principles

Osmotic agents, antiepileptics, neuro-anaesthetic agents, surgical wound healing, infection control, and neurosurgical equipment/principles.

How to Pass the FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Overall 50% with written subminimum
Assessment: Written examination papers assessing neurosurgical basic sciences (neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropathology, neuropharmacology, neuroradiology, and surgical principles).
Time limit: Per CMSA written examination diet schedule
Exam fee: R12 950

Keys to Passing

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master neurovascular anatomy, including the Circle of Willis, brainstem perforators, and venous sinus drainage pathways.

2Review cerebral blood flow autoregulation curves and the Monro-Kellie doctrine for intracranial pressure dynamics.

3Focus on WHO 2021 CNS tumor molecular and histological classification, particularly IDH mutation status and 1p/19q codeletion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the CMSA FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I examination?

The examination consists of written papers testing neurosurgical basic sciences including neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropathology, neuropharmacology, and surgical principles.

What is the passing score for the FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I?

The passing standard is an overall 50% mark with a written subminimum requirement across the examination components.

What is the examination fee for FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I?

The examination fee listed is R15 500.

100+ Free FC Neurosurg(SA) Part I Practice Questions

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