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

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: FC Orth(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 Orthopaedic Surgeons of SA

The CMSA FC Orth(SA) Part I tests candidates on applied musculoskeletal anatomy, bone and cartilage physiology, biomechanics, orthopaedic pathology, and biomaterials. This practice bank offers 100 high-yield, scientifically accurate practice questions mapped to the CMSA syllabus.

Sample FC Orth(SA) Part I Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FC Orth(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.

1Which peripheral nerve passes through the quadrangular space of the posterior shoulder alongside the posterior circumflex humeral artery?

A.Axillary nerve

B.Radial nerve

C.Suprascapular nerve

D.Musculocutaneous nerve

Explanation: The axillary nerve (C5-C6) originates from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus and traverses the quadrangular space bound by teres minor superiorly, teres major inferiorly, the long head of triceps medially, and the surgical neck of the humerus laterally. It travels in close association with the posterior circumflex humeral artery before innervating the deltoid and teres minor muscles.

2During a posterior approach to the shaft of the humerus, which muscle head of the triceps receives its nerve supply from the radial nerve prior to the nerve entering the spiral (radial) groove?

A.Lateral head of triceps

B.Long head of triceps

C.Medial head of triceps

D.Anconeus muscle

Explanation: The long head of the triceps brachii receives its innervation directly from the radial nerve high in the axilla, prior to the radial nerve entering the spiral (radial) groove of the humerus. This explains why extension of the elbow at the long head remains functional even after a midshaft humerus fracture causing radial nerve palsy in the spiral groove.

3The anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) branches from the median nerve approximately 5 cm distal to the medial epicondyle. Which two forearm muscles are fully innervated by the AIN?

A.Flexor pollicis longus and pronator quadratus

B.Flexor carpi radialis and pronator teres

C.Flexor digitorum superficialis and palmaris longus

D.Abductor pollicis brevis and flexor pollicis brevis

Explanation: The anterior interosseous nerve (AIN, C8-T1) purely supplies motor innervation to the flexor pollicis longus (FPL), the lateral half of flexor digitorum profundus (FDP to index and middle fingers), and the pronator quadratus. Loss of AIN function impairs the 'OK' sign due to loss of FPL and FDP index finger flexion.

4What fibrous arch forms the roof of the cubital tunnel, bridging the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle and potentially compressing the ulnar nerve?

A.Struthers' ligament

B.Lacertus fibrosus

C.Osborne's ligament (arcuate ligament)

D.Frohse's arcade

Explanation: Osborne's ligament (also known as the arcuate ligament of flexor carpi ulnaris or Osborne's fascia) spans between the humeral and ulnar heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris. It forms the roof of the cubital tunnel and is a primary anatomical site of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow.

5The posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) passes from the anterior to the posterior compartment of the forearm by passing through the Arcade of Frohse into which muscle?

A.Brachioradialis

B.Supinator

C.Extensor carpi radialis brevis

D.Pronator teres

Explanation: The posterior interosseous nerve (PIN), a motor continuation of the deep branch of the radial nerve, enters the posterior compartment by passing under the fibrous Arcade of Frohse into the two heads of the supinator muscle. Compression at this site causes PIN syndrome (motor weakness of extensor muscles without cutaneous sensory deficit).

6Which muscle of the anterior arm compartment is pierced by the musculocutaneous nerve shortly after the nerve branches from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus?

A.Coracobrachialis

B.Biceps brachii

C.Brachialis

D.Pectoralis minor

Explanation: The musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C7) arises from the lateral cord, pierces the coracobrachialis muscle approximately 5-8 cm distal to the coracoid process, and then descends between biceps brachii and brachialis to supply all three muscles before continuing as the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve.

7What is the anatomical relationship between the suprascapular nerve, the suprascapular artery, and the superior transverse scapular ligament at the suprascapular notch?

A.Both the nerve and artery pass under the ligament

B.Both the nerve and artery pass over the ligament

C.The nerve passes over the ligament, while the artery passes under the ligament

D.The nerve passes under the ligament, while the artery passes over the ligament

Explanation: At the suprascapular notch, the suprascapular nerve passes beneath (under) the superior transverse scapular ligament, whereas the suprascapular artery passes above (over) the ligament (mnemonically remembered as 'Army over bridge, Navy under bridge'). Entrapment of the nerve under the ligament leads to suprascapular nerve neuropathy.

8In the standard deltopectoral approach to the shoulder joint, which major superficial vein lies within the deltopectoral groove and serves as a surgical landmark?

A.Cephalic vein

B.Basilic vein

C.Median cubital vein

D.Axillary vein

Explanation: The cephalic vein lies in the intermuscular deltopectoral groove between the deltoid (axillary nerve) and pectoralis major (pectoral nerves) muscles. It is the landmark for the internervous plane of the anterior deltopectoral approach to the shoulder.

9In the posterior (Moore or Southern) approach to the hip joint, which short external rotator tendons must be detached near their femoral insertion to expose the posterior hip capsule?

A.Gluteus medius and gluteus minimus

B.Piriformis and obturator internus with gemelli

C.Tensor fasciae latae and sartorius

D.Pectineus and adductor longus

Explanation: The posterior approach to the hip requires splitting the gluteus maximus fibers along their muscle plane and subsequently releasing the tendons of the piriformis, obturator internus, and superior/inferior gemelli muscles near their insertion onto the trochanteric fossa to access the capsule.

10The anterolateral (Watson-Jones) surgical approach to the hip utilizes an intermuscular interval between which two muscles?

A.Sartorius and Rectus femoris

B.Gluteus maximus and Piriformis

C.Tensor fasciae latae and Gluteus medius

D.Adductor magnus and Gracilis

Explanation: The Watson-Jones anterolateral approach to the hip uses the intermuscular plane between the tensor fasciae latae (superior gluteal nerve) and the gluteus medius (superior gluteal nerve). Because both muscles share the same innervation, it is an intermuscular, rather than a true internervous plane.

About the FC Orth(SA) Part I Exam

The FC Orth(SA) Part I is the primary fellowship examination of the College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of South Africa. It evaluates candidates in the foundational orthopaedic basic sciences required for specialist orthopaedic registrar training and practice in South Africa.

Assessment

Written examination papers assessing orthopaedic basic sciences (applied musculoskeletal anatomy, bone/cartilage biomechanics and physiology, orthopaedic pathology, pharmacology, and surgical biomaterials/implants).

Time Limit

Per CMSA written examination diet schedule

Passing Score

Overall 50% with written subminimum

Exam Fee

R12 950 (College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of South Africa (Colleges of Medicine of South Africa))

FC Orth(SA) Part I Exam Content Outline

30%

Applied Musculoskeletal Anatomy

Surgical anatomy of upper and lower limbs, spine, pelvis, peripheral nerve supply, arterial networks, and surgical approaches.

25%

Bone & Cartilage Biomechanics and Physiology

Osteoblast/osteoclast kinetics, Haversian remodeling, articular cartilage zones, stress-strain dynamics, gait biomechanics, and tendon/ligament viscoelasticity.

20%

Orthopaedic Pathology

Histopathology of primary bone and soft tissue tumors, osteomyelitis pathogenesis, fracture non-union types, metabolic bone diseases, and inflammatory arthritides.

25%

Orthopaedic Pharmacology & Biomaterials

Metal alloys (titanium, cobalt-chrome), PMMA bone cement polymerization, polyethylene wear mechanisms, antibiotic penetration, and perioperative thromboprophylaxis.

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

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Overall 50% with written subminimum
Assessment: Written examination papers assessing orthopaedic basic sciences (applied musculoskeletal anatomy, bone/cartilage biomechanics and physiology, orthopaedic pathology, pharmacology, and surgical biomaterials/implants).
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 Orth(SA) Part I Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on surgical cross-sectional anatomy and internervous planes for classical orthopaedic operative approaches.

2Understand bone mineralization, RANK/RANKL/OPG pathways, and the viscoelastic mechanical properties of articular cartilage and ligaments.

3Master the histopathology and molecular markers of bone tumors (e.g. Ewing sarcoma t(11;22), Osteosarcoma) and PMMA polymerization chemistry.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The examination consists of written papers testing orthopaedic basic sciences including applied anatomy, biomechanics, bone/cartilage physiology, pathology, and biomaterials.

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

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

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

The official examination fee is R15 500.

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

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