According to the Mathes and Nahai classification of muscle flaps based on their vascular anatomy, which of the following muscles is classified as Type I, supplied by a single dominant vascular pedicle?
- A Tibialis anterior
- B Gracilis
- C Sartorius
- D Gastrocnemius ✓
Explanation
The Mathes and Nahai system grades muscles by pedicle pattern: Type I has one vascular pedicle (gastrocnemius), Type II has a dominant pedicle plus minor pedicles (gracilis), Type IV has multiple segmental pedicles (sartorius), and Type V has one dominant and one secondary pedicle (latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major). Sartorius as a segmentally supplied Type IV muscle tolerates only limited mobilization, making it a poor flap choice.
Reference: Grabb and Smith's Plastic Surgery, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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