From the Guidelines
For the NBME Surgery Shelf Exam, it is crucial to focus on key anatomical structures, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, stomach, small and large intestines, appendix, and major blood vessels in abdominal anatomy, as well as the heart, lungs, great vessels, esophagus, and diaphragm in chest anatomy. When considering the anatomical structures relevant to the NBME Surgery Shelf examination, several key areas must be prioritized, including:
- Abdominal anatomy: Liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, stomach, small and large intestines, appendix, and major blood vessels, as these are fundamental in understanding surgical conditions and planning procedures 1.
- Chest anatomy: Heart, lungs, great vessels, esophagus, and diaphragm, which are essential for diagnosing and managing thoracic conditions, as discussed in the context of rib fractures and surgical stabilization 1.
- Head and neck: Thyroid, parathyroid, salivary glands, and major arteries/veins, which are critical in surgical procedures of the head and neck region.
- Musculoskeletal system: Major bones, joints, and muscle groups, which are vital in understanding orthopedic and trauma surgery.
- Vascular anatomy: Major arteries and veins throughout the body, as knowledge of vascular anatomy is crucial for surgical planning and technique.
- Neuroanatomy: Brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, which are essential for neurosurgical procedures and understanding neurological conditions.
- Urogenital system: Kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate, and reproductive organs, which are critical in urological and gynecological surgery.
Understanding the locations, relationships to surrounding structures, and blood supply of these anatomical structures is vital for diagnosing surgical conditions, planning procedures, and anticipating potential complications. It is also important to memorize common anatomical variations and their clinical significance, as this knowledge forms the foundation for surgical decision-making and technique. To prepare effectively for the NBME Surgery Shelf Exam, using anatomical atlases, practicing drawing structures, and correlating anatomy with common surgical procedures and pathologies is recommended, as this approach will help in answering questions about surgical approaches, potential complications, and anatomical considerations in various clinical scenarios.
From the Research
Key Anatomical Structures
The key anatomical structures that are relevant to the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Surgery Shelf examination are:
- Heart
- Great vessels
- Liver
- Spleen
- Abdominal sections of the aorta and inferior vena cava
- Paravertebral space (PVS)
- Lung
- Bone
Anatomical Coverage
The anatomical structures that require essential medical coverage by a plate in military body armour are:
- Heart
- Great vessels
- Liver
- Spleen as identified in the study 2
Identification of Anatomical Structures
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) can help identify anatomical structures in ultrasound images, including:
- Paravertebral space (PVS)
- Lung
- Bone as demonstrated in the study 3
Relationship between NBME Scores and USMLE Step 1 Performance
There is a positive correlation between NBME Surgery Shelf exam scores and USMLE Step 1 performance, as shown in the study 4
- Step 1 scores can predict Surgery Shelf scores
- For every point increase in Step 1, a Surgery Shelf score increases by 0.30 points
Curriculum and Exam Scores
The order of clerkship rotations does not affect NBME exam scores, as found in the study 5
- Rotation order does not impact NBME Ob/Gyn Subject exam scores in a fifteen-week integrated clerkship block