Intermediate Subcostal Nerve Quiz

Q1. After leaving the intervertebral foramen, the subcostal nerve initially courses along which structure?

• Inferior border of the twelfth rib
• Superior border of the first rib
• Medial border of the scapula
• Anterior border of the sternum

Q2. Which posterior abdominal wall muscle is crossed by the subcostal nerve?

• Quadratus lumborum
• Piriformis
• Psoas minor only
• Obturator internus

Q3. The subcostal nerve generally passes posterior to which structure as it enters the abdominal wall?

• Inguinal ligament
• Lateral arcuate ligament
• Median arcuate ligament
• Ligamentum arteriosum

Q4. Between which abdominal muscles does the subcostal nerve commonly continue anteriorly?

• External oblique and rectus abdominis
• Rectus abdominis and pyramidalis
• Internal oblique and transversus abdominis
• Psoas major and iliacus

Q5. Which abdominal muscles receive motor fibers from the subcostal nerve?

• Intrinsic muscles of the foot
• Muscles of the anterolateral abdominal wall
• Muscles of the rotator cuff
• Muscles of facial expression

Q6. Which branch of the subcostal nerve supplies skin over the lateral hip region?

• Recurrent meningeal branch
• Lateral cutaneous branch
• Cardiac branch
• Phrenic branch

Q7. Which landmark may be crossed by the lateral cutaneous branch of the subcostal nerve?

• Clavicle
• Acromion
• Sternal angle
• Iliac crest

Q8. The subcostal nerve may communicate with which lumbar nerve?

• L5
• L1
• C8
• S1

Q9. Which fibers carried by the subcostal nerve regulate sweat glands and cutaneous blood vessels?

• Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers
• Postganglionic sympathetic fibers
• Branchial motor fibers
• Special visceral afferent fibers

Q10. Which feature distinguishes the subcostal nerve from the T11 intercostal nerve?

• It passes below the twelfth rib rather than through an intercostal space
• It supplies only thoracic viscera
• It arises from a lumbar spinal nerve
• It contains no sensory fibers