Our blueprint estimate puts 8–12 of the 200 questions in surgical anatomy, about 5% of the paper, spread across both papers. It is our estimate, not a figure published by the RCOG. One of the heaviest-weighted areas on the paper.
8–12
of 200
6
in our syllabus map
human_structure
3 other areas
Surgical anatomy asks where structures sit relative to the operation you are doing. The questions describe a procedure and a complication, and expect you to name the structure at risk and the step that avoids injuring it.
The 6 syllabus topics we map to Surgical Anatomy for Part 1.
The ureter is at risk at the pelvic brim, where it crosses the common iliac bifurcation; where it passes beneath the uterine artery lateral to the cervix; and where it enters the bladder base. Know the course well enough to explain which operation endangers it at each site.
Knowing the vascular anatomy tells you which vessel to compress, ligate or embolise. Internal iliac artery ligation is a recognised surgical step for uncontrollable postpartum bleeding; the postpartum haemorrhage summary sets out where it sits in the escalation.
Pelvic and Perineal Anatomy Prevention and Management of Postpartum Haemorrhage
Entry injuries happen at the first port, so the layers of the abdominal wall, the position of the inferior epigastric vessels and the effect of previous surgery on adhesions all matter. The entry-injury guideline explains which patients are at higher risk.
Preventing Entry-Related Gynaecological Laparoscopic Injuries
Obstetric tears are graded by which muscle is breached. The perineal body is the central anchor point, and the sphincter complex is the structure whose repair determines later continence.
Third- and Fourth-degree Perineal Tears, Management Pelvic and Perineal Anatomy
Revise by operation rather than by region. For hysterectomy, caesarean birth and laparoscopy, list in order the structures encountered and the one most likely to be injured at each step. Then practise the reverse, starting from an injury and naming the step that caused it, because that is the form the question usually takes.
Part 1 is 200 single best answer questions across two papers with no negative marking, so an informed guess always beats a blank. Surgical anatomy sits beside anatomy in the Human Structure domain, and it is the part of Part 1 that previews Part 2 surgical modules most directly. Questions are framed as operative scenarios.
Every question is original and written from published RCOG and NICE guidance, and every explanation cites the guideline it came from. Free: 5 days full access, then 50 questions. No card.
Published RCOG and NICE guidance summarised for revision, with the source cited on every page.
MRCOG AI is an independent educational tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).