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Paravertebral block pleural proximity — FRCA Primary MCQ

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HardAnatomyParavertebral block pleural proximityFRCA Primary

For unilateral thoracic analgesia, where is local anaesthetic intentionally deposited during a thoracic paravertebral block?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Within paravertebral space beside a thoracic spinal nerve

The best answer is “Within paravertebral space beside a thoracic spinal nerve”. A thoracic paravertebral block deposits local anaesthetic beside the vertebral body adjacent to the thoracic spinal nerve and its branches. This produces predominantly unilateral segmental analgesia. The other locations describe different regional techniques with different anatomical targets and risks.

Reference: RCoA, Primary FRCA Syllabus: https://rcoa.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2026-01/Primary-FRCA-Syllabus.pdf