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Question 1
Incorrect
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Which nuclei of the posterior grey column of the spinal cord are likely affected in a patient who has lost the sensation of pain and temperature?
Your Answer: Nucleus dorsalis
Correct Answer: Substantia gelatinosa
Explanation:Substantia gelatinosa is one of the nuclei in the posterior grey column along side other posterior grey column nuclei like the nucleus dorsalis, nucleus proprius, and posteromarginal nucleus. These nuclei are a collection of cells in the posterior grey area found in throughout the spinal cord. The substantia gelatinosa receives direct input from the dorsal nerve roots (sensory), especially from thermoreceptors and nociceptors (receptors for temperature and pain).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Neurology
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Question 2
Correct
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A recognised side-effect of prefrontal leukotomy is:
Your Answer: Confusion
Explanation:Used previously as a treatment for psychiatric disorders, prefrontal leucotomy severs the connection between the prefrontal cortical association area and the thalamus. This leads to functional isolation of the prefrontal and orbitofrontal association cortex. Thus, along with the desired reduction in anger and frustration, undesirable side effects included changes in mood and affect, as well as confusion.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Physiology
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Question 3
Incorrect
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What percentage of the cardiac output is delivered to the brain?
Your Answer: 35%
Correct Answer: 15%
Explanation:Among all body organs, the brain is most susceptible to ischaemia. Comprising of only 2.5% of total body weight, the brain receives 15% of the cardiac output. Oxygen extraction is also higher with venous oxygen levels approximating 13 vol%, and arteriovenous oxygen difference of 7 vol%.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Physiology
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Question 4
Incorrect
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The dural venous sinuses are venous channels that drain blood from the brain. This sinuses are located between which structures?
Your Answer: Periosteal and meningeal layers of the arachnoid mater
Correct Answer: Meningeal and periosteal layers of the dura mater
Explanation:The dural venous sinuses lies between the periosteal and meningeal layer of the dura mater. Dural venous sinuses is unique because it does not run parallel with arteries and allows bidirectional flow of blood intracranially as it is valve-less.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 5
Incorrect
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The wound healing process is documented in patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures. The port incisions are sutured closed and the wounds observed every few weeks for re-epithelialisation and tensile strength. Which substance is mostly likely to be found at a cellular level involved in wound healing?
Your Answer: Collagen
Correct Answer: Tyrosine kinase
Explanation:Cell surface growth factor receptors require intercellular proteins such as tyrosine kinase which are necessary to initiate a series of events that eventually lead to cell division and growth. Tyrosine kinase is an enzyme that transfers a phosphate group to the tyrosine residue in a protein. This phosphorylation will lead to an up regulation of the enzyme activity.
Fibronectin acts in the extracellular matrix to bind macromolecules (such as proteoglycans) via integrin receptors to aid attachment and migration of cells.
Laminin is an extracellular matrix component that is abundant in basement membranes.
Hyaluronic acid is one of the proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix.
Collagen fibres are part of the extracellular matrix that gives strength and stability to connective tissues.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Injury & Wound Healing
- Pathology
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Question 6
Correct
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Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is likely to be affected by a lesion in the:
Your Answer: Pons
Explanation:Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is also known as paradoxical sleep, as the summed activity of the brain’s neurons is quite similar to that during waking hours. Characterised by rapid movements of the eyes, most of the vividly recalled dreams occur during this stage of sleep. The total time of REM sleep for an adult is about 90–120 min per night.
Certain neurones in the brainstem, known as REM sleep-on cells, which are located in the pontine tegmentum, are particularly active during REM sleep and are probably responsible for its occurrence. The eye movements associated with REM are generated by the pontine nucleus with projections to the superior colliculus and are associated with PGO (pons, geniculate, occipital) waves.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Physiology
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Question 7
Correct
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The muscles of the superficial posterior compartment of the leg insert into the:
Your Answer: Calcaneus
Explanation:The muscles of the superficial posterior compartment of the leg form the characteristic ‘calf’ shape of the posterior leg and include the gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris. The gastrocnemius and soleus together form a muscular mass which is occasionally described as the triceps surae; its tendon of insertion is the tendo calcaneus. The tendo calcaneus is the thickest and strongest in the body and together with the tendon of the plantaris muscle is inserted into the posterior part of the calcaneus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
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Question 8
Incorrect
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A 40-year old Caucasian male came to the hospital with complaints of fatigue and lethargy. On examination, he was found to have raised blood pressure. Urine examination showed >300 mg/dl proteinuria (4+) and 24-hour urine protein 3.5g. No glucose, blood, nitrites, urobilinogen or casts were present in urine. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Minimal-change disease
Correct Answer: Membranous glomerulonephritis
Explanation:Membranous glomerulonephritis or nephropathy, is a renal disorder with insidious course and usually affects people aged 30-50 years. 85% cases are primary (or idiopathic). The other 15% are secondary to autoimmune conditions like SLE, infections like malaria or hepatitis B, drugs like captopril and NSAIDs, or malignancies (particularly lung or colonic carcinoma). This disease is caused due to circulating immune complexes which are said to form by binding of antibodies to antigens in glomerular basement membrane. This antigens could be endogenous or derived from systemic circulation. This immune complex triggers the complement system, resulting in formation of membrane attack complex (MAC) on glomerular epithelial cells. This further results in release of proteases and oxidants which damage the capillaries making them ‘leaky’. Moreover, the epithelial cells also secrete a mediator to reduce nephron synthesis and distribution.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Renal
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Question 9
Correct
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The petrous part of the internal carotid artery is located inside of which cranial bone?
Your Answer: Temporal
Explanation:The petrous segment, or C2, of the internal carotid is that which is inside the petrous part of the temporal bone. This segment extends until the foramen lacerum. The petrous portion classically has three sections: an ascending, or vertical portion; the genu, or bend; and the horizontal portion.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 10
Correct
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The accumulation of eosinophils within tissues is mostly regulated by which of the following cytokines?
Your Answer: Interleukin-5
Explanation:IL-5 is produced by TH2 helper cells and by mast cells. They stimulate increased secretion of immunoglobulins and stimulate B cell growth. They are the major regulators in eosinophil activation and control. They are also released from eosinophils and mast cells in asthmatic patients and are associate with a many other allergic conditions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Inflammation & Immunology
- Pathology
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Question 11
Incorrect
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A 55-year-old woman complains of pain in the proximal and distal interphalangeal joins, and back pain which has increased over the last 4 years and worsens after activity. X-rays reveal Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes in her interphalangeal joints and the presence of osteophytes in her spine. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Rheumatoid arthritis
Correct Answer: Osteoarthritis
Explanation:Osteoarthritis is most common in older adults, predominating in women between the ages of 40 and 70; after this age, men and women are affected equally. It affects an entire joint, with disruption and potential loss of joint cartilage, along with other joint changes, including bone hypertrophy (osteophyte formation). The pain is usually gradual and is worse after activity, with occasional joint swelling. X-ray findings include marginal osteophytes, narrowing of the joint space, increased density of the subchondral bone, subchondral cyst formation, bony remodelling and joint effusions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Orthopaedics
- Pathology
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Question 12
Correct
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From which branchial (pharyngeal) pouch does the inferior parathyroid gland arise?
Your Answer: 3rd
Explanation:The following structures arise from each branchial pouch:
1st pouch – eustachian tube, middle ear, mastoid, and inner layer of the tympanic membrane
2nd pouch – middle ear, palatine tonsils
3rd pouch – inferior parathyroid glands, thymus
4th pouch – superior parathyroid glands, ultimobranchial body which forms the parafollicular C-cells of the thyroid gland, musculature and cartilage of larynx (along with the sixth pharyngeal pouch)
5th pouch – rudimentary structure
6th pouch – along with the fourth pouch, contributes to the formation of the musculature and cartilage of the larynx.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Endocrine; Embryology
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Question 13
Correct
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A 28 years old women presents with a history of chronic cough with fever for the past 2 months. A chest x ray revealed a diffuse bilateral reticulonodular pattern. A transbronchial biopsy was performed and histological examination showed focal areas of inflammation with epithelioid macrophages, Langhans cells and lymphocytes. Which of the immune reaction is responsible for this?
Your Answer: Type IV hypersensitivity
Explanation:A reactivated tuberculosis with granuloma formation is characteristic of type IV reaction. It is also called a delayed type of hypersensitivity reaction and takes around 2-8 days to deliver. It is a cell mediated response with the involvement of CD8 and CD4 cells and the release of IL-1 from macrophages that further activate these CD cells.
Granulomatous reactions are mostly cell-mediated.
Type I reactions are allergic and anaphylactic reactions and type II are complement-mediated immune reactions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Inflammation & Immunology; Respiratory
- Pathology
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Question 14
Incorrect
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During a street fight a boy sustained a laceration below the elbow. It was a deep cut that led to profuse bleeding from an artery situated on the supinator muscle immediately below the elbow. The vessel most likely to have been injured is?
Your Answer: Anterior ulnar recurrent artery
Correct Answer: Radial recurrent artery
Explanation:The radial recurrent artery is situated on the supinator muscle then passing between the brachialis and the brachioradialis muscles. It originates from the radial artery and ends by anastomosing with the terminal part of the Profunda brachii.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
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Question 15
Correct
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What causes a reduction in pulmonary functional residual capacity?
Your Answer: Pulmonary fibrosis
Explanation:Pulmonary functional residual capacity (FRC) is = volume of air present in the lungs at the end of passive expiration.
Obstructive diseases (e.g. emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma) = an increase in FRC due to an increase in lung compliance and air trapping.
Restrictive diseases (e.g. pulmonary fibrosis) result in stiffer, less compliant lungs and a reduction in FRC.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
- Respiratory
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Question 16
Correct
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The anatomical dead space in a patient with low oxygen saturation, is 125 ml, with a tidal volume of 500 ml and pa(CO2) of 40 mm Hg. The dead space was determined by Fowler's method. If we assume that the patient's lungs are healthy, what will his mixed expired CO2 tension [pE(CO2)] be?
Your Answer: 30 mmHg
Explanation:According to Bohr’s equation, VD/VT = (pA(CO2) − pE(CO2))/pA(CO2), where pE(CO2) is mixed expired CO2 and pA(CO2) is alveolar CO2pressure. Normally, the pa(CO2) is virtually identical to pA(CO2). Thus, VD/VT = (pa(CO2)) − pE(CO2)/pa(CO2). By Fowler’s method, VD/VT= 0.25. In the given problem, (pa(CO2) − pE(CO2)/pa(CO2) = (40 − pE(CO2)/40 = 0.25. Thus, pE(CO2) = 30 mmHg. If there is a great perfusion/ventilation inequality, pE(CO2) could be significantly lower than 30 mm Hg, and the patient’s physiological dead space would exceed the anatomical dead space.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
- Respiratory
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Question 17
Correct
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Regarding the venous drainage of the heart which of these is correct?
Your Answer: The great cardiac vein is the largest tributary of the coronary sinus and this vein starts at the apex of the heart and ascends with the anterior ventricular branch of the left coronary artery
Explanation:Most of the veins of the heart open into the coronary sinus. This is a wide venous channel, about 2.25 cm in length, situated in the posterior part of the coronary sulcus and covered by muscular fibres from the left atrium. Its tributaries are the great, small and middle cardiac veins, the posterior vein of the left ventricle and the oblique vein of the left atrium. The great cardiac vein is the largest tributary of the coronary sinus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Thorax
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Question 18
Incorrect
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A 30-year-old female was alarmed when she started to experience hair loss and balding, however, she also noted increased hair on her face and body and developed an acne breakout. Deepening of her voice also became prominent. She was referred to an oncologist and was diagnosed with a hormone-producing tumour. What is the most likely diagnosis ?
Your Answer: Teratoma
Correct Answer: Arrhenoblastoma
Explanation:Arrhenoblastoma, known as ‘Sertoli–Leydig tumour’ is a rare ovarian stromal neoplasm that secretes testosterone. It is mostly seen in women in the reproductive years. The key clinical features of this tumour is due to excessive production of testosterone which leads to progressive masculinisation in a woman who was typical normal beforehand. The lesion tends to grow slowly and rarely metastasises. Treatment is surgical removal of the tumour and the prognosis is generally good.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neoplasia
- Pathology
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Question 19
Incorrect
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Ventricular filling follows a delay caused by?
Your Answer: Purkinje system
Correct Answer: AV node
Explanation:The AV node is a conducting tissue found between the atria and the ventricles of the heart. It conducts electrical signal from the atria to the ventricles and acts a delaying mechanism preventing the atria and the ventricles from contracting at the same time. This decremental conduction prevents premature ventricular contraction in cases such as atrial fibrillation. A delay in the AV node is the reason for the PR segment seen on the ECG. In certain types of supraventricular tachycardia, a person could have two AV nodes; this will cause a loop in electrical current and uncontrollably rapid heart beat. When this electricity catches up with itself, it will dissipate and return to a normal heart rate.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Physiology
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Question 20
Incorrect
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A 31 -year-old female patient had a blood gas done on presentation to the emergency department. She was found to have a metabolic acidosis and decreased anion gap. The most likely cause of these findings in this patient would be?
Your Answer: Lactic acidosis
Correct Answer: Hypoalbuminemia
Explanation:A low anion gap might be caused by alterations in serum protein levels, primarily albumin (hypoalbuminemia), increased levels of calcium (hypercalcaemia) and magnesium (hypermagnesemia) or bromide and lithium intoxication. However, the commonest cause is hypoalbuminemia, thus if the albumin concentration falls, the anion gap will also be lower. The anion gap should be corrected upwards by 2.5 mmol/l for every 10g/l fall in the serum albumin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Pathology
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Question 21
Correct
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Which tumour occurs in young adults, affecting the epiphyses of the bones and sometimes extending to the soft tissues?
Your Answer: Benign giant-cell tumour
Explanation:Benign giant-cell tumours tend to affect adults in their twenties and thirties, occur in the epiphyses and can erode the bone and extend into the soft tissues. These tumours have a strong tendency to recur.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Orthopaedics
- Pathology
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Question 22
Correct
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A patient at the time of her second delivery opted for a bilateral pudendal nerve block. In order to inject the anaesthetic agent near the pudendal nerve a anaesthetic consultant had to insert a finger into the vagina and press laterally to palpate which landmark?
Your Answer: Ischial spine
Explanation:The ischial spine is always palpated through the walls of the vagina when performing a transvaginal pudendal nerve block and can easily be palpated on the lateral wall of the vagina.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Pelvis
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Question 23
Incorrect
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Below which level of the spinal cord will the inferior gluteal nerve be unaffected?
Your Answer: S1
Correct Answer: S3
Explanation:The inferior gluteal nerve arises from the dorsal divisions of the fifth lumbar and first and second sacral nerves. According to this fact any lesion at or below the S3 will not affect the inferior gluteal nerve.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
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Question 24
Correct
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Which of the following foramen provides passage of the facial nerve?
Your Answer: Internal acoustic meatus
Explanation:The internal auditory meatus provides a passage through which the vestibulocochlear nerve, the facial nerve, and the labyrinthine artery (an internal auditory branch of the basilar artery) can pass from inside the skull to structures of the inner ear and face.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 25
Incorrect
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A patient admitted for esophagectomy showed low levels of the lightest plasma protein in terms of weight. Which of the following is the lightest plasma protein:
Your Answer: Beta-globulin
Correct Answer: Albumin
Explanation:Albumin is the most abundant and the lightest of all the plasma proteins. It maintains osmotic pressure, transports unconjugated bilirubin, thyroid hormones, fatty acids, drugs and acts as a buffer for pH.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 26
Incorrect
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During uterogrowth, the second pharyngeal arch gives rise to which structures?
Your Answer: Incus
Correct Answer: Stylohyoid muscle
Explanation:The second pharyngeal arch or hyoid arch, is the second of six pharyngeal arches that develops in fetal life during the fourth week of development and assists in forming the side and front of the neck. Derivatives:
Skeletal – From the cartilage of the second arch arises:
Stapes,
Temporal styloid process,
Stylohyoid ligament, and
Lesser cornu of the hyoid bone.
Muscles:
Muscles of face
Occipitofrontalis muscle
Platysma
Stylohyoid muscle
Posterior belly of Digastric
Stapedius muscle
Auricular muscles
Nerve supply: Facial nerve
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Embryology
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Question 27
Correct
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Which of the following is NOT true regarding malignant hyperpyrexia
Your Answer: It can be caused by nitrous oxide
Explanation:Malignant hyerpyrexia occurs in 1 in 150,000. All inhalational anaesthetic agents and suxamethonium, except nitrous oxide can cause malignant hyperpyrexia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
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Question 28
Incorrect
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A teacher had varicosities in the region of the small saphenous vein. Which of the following is true about that vein?
Your Answer: Is accompanied by the saphenous nerve throughout its course
Correct Answer: Has nine to twelve valves
Explanation:It is known that the small saphenous vein has nine to twelve valves along its course. This vein begins as a direct continuation of the lateral marginal vein posterior to the lateral malleolus. It is superficially situated but closer to its termination, perforates the deep fascia in the lower part of the popliteal fossa to end in the popliteal vein.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
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Question 29
Incorrect
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After a total colectomy and ileotomy, a 50-year old diabetic man who was a known case of diabetic nephropathy had persistent metabolic acidosis. The patient appeared well perfused, with normal vital signs and normal fluid balance. Investigations revealed:
Sodium = 132 mmol/l
Potassium = 6.6 mmol/l
Creatinine = 185 μmol/l (2.16 mg/dl)
Chloride = 109 μmol/l
8am cortisol = 500 nmol/l (18 μg/dl)
pH = 7.29, p(CO2) = 27 mmHg
p(O2) = 107 mmHg
standard bicarbonate = 12 mmol/l.
What is the likely causes of his acidosis?Your Answer: Ketoacidosis
Correct Answer: Renal tubular acidosis
Explanation:Acidosis here is due to low bicarbonate. The low p(CO2) is seen in compensation. The anion gap is normal, ruling out intra-abdominal ischaemia (which leads to metabolic acidosis). If it was a gastrointestinal aetiology, low potassium would be seen. The history of diabetic nephropathy predisposes to renal tubular acidosis. Type 4 (hyporeninaemic hypoaldosteronism) is associated with high potassium and is found in diabetic and hypertensive renal disease.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
- Respiratory
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Question 30
Correct
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Following a fracture in the fibula, an artery contained in a fibrous canal between tibialis posterior and flexor hallucis longus was lacerated. Which of the following arteries was injured?
Your Answer: Peroneal
Explanation:The peroneal artery is deeply seated at the back of the fibular side of the leg, contained in a fibrous canal between the tibialis posterior and the flexor hallucis longus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
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Question 31
Correct
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Which of the following key features will be seen in an organ undergoing atrophy?
Your Answer: A greater number of autophagic vacuoles
Explanation:Atrophy is characterised by the breakdown of intracellular components along with organelles and packing them into vacuoles known as autophagic vacuoles. This is an adaptive response that separates the damaged cellular structures from the rest of the cells.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Injury & Wound Healing
- Pathology
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Question 32
Correct
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Which of the following substances brings about a dilatation of the gastrointestinal resistance vessels?
Your Answer: Vasoactive intestinal peptide
Explanation:Gastric vasoconstrictors include catecholamines, angiotensin II and vasopressin. Vasodilators include vasoactive intestinal peptide and the hormones; gastrin, cholecystokinin and glucagon.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
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Question 33
Correct
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An 18 -year-old female is diagnosed with folliculitis in the left axilla. What is the most likely organism that could cause this condition?
Your Answer: Staphylococcus aureus
Explanation:Folliculitis is the inflammation of the hair follicles. It is usually caused by Staphylococcus infection.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
- Pathology
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Question 34
Incorrect
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A glycogen storage disorder is characterised by increased liver glycogen with a normal structure and no increase in serum glucose after oral intake of a protein-rich diet. Deficiency of which of the following enzymes is responsible for this disorder?
Your Answer: UDPG–glycogen transglucosylase
Correct Answer: Glucose-6-phosphatase
Explanation:The most common glycogen storage disorder is von Gierke’s disease or glycogen storage disease type I. It results from a deficiency of enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase which affects the ability of liver to produce free glucose from glycogen and gluconeogenesis; leading to severe hypoglycaemia. There is also increased glycogen storage in the liver and kidneys causing enlargement and various problems in their functioning. The disease also causes lactic acidosis and hyperlipidaemia. The main treatment includes frequent or continuous feedings of corn-starch or other carbohydrates.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
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Question 35
Correct
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Which of the following is NOT a Gram-negative rod?
Your Answer: Clostridium tetani
Explanation:Gram-positive rods include Clostridia, Listeria and diphtheroids.
Gram-negative rods include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Yersinia, Haemohilus, Pseudomonas, Shigella, Legionella, proteus and Salmonella
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
- Pathology
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Question 36
Correct
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Which of the following features is indicative of poor prognosis in a case of breast carcinoma?
Your Answer: Axillary lymph node metastases
Explanation:Lymphatic spread indicates poor prognosis. Presence of family history is not a prognostic factor despite being linked to higher incidence. Aneuploidy is a poor prognostic factor. A breast tumour positive for oestrogen receptors is a good prognostic factor as it increases the responsiveness of the tumour to certain therapies. In-situ tumours carry the best prognosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Women's Health
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Question 37
Incorrect
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A young 16 year old boy presented to the ENT clinic with a history of sore throat for the past 1 day. On examination there was a pharyngeal purulent discharge. Which of the following types of inflammation is seen in this boy?
Your Answer: Abscess formation
Correct Answer: Acute inflammation
Explanation:A 1 day history suggests the purulent discharge is due to acute inflammation. Acute inflammation has 3 features:
1) the affected area is occupied by a purulent discharge composed of proteins, fluids and cells from local blood vessels
2) the infective agent i.e. bacteria is present in the affected area
3) the damaged tissue can be liquified and the debris removed from the site.
If the inflammation lasts over weeks or months, then it is termed as chronic inflammation.
Granulomatous inflammation is characterised by the presence and formation of granulomas.
Exudate is not a feature of resolution or a complication of inflammation.
Abscess formation takes more than 1 day to form and is usually within a capsule/cavity.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Inflammation & Immunology; Respiratory
- Pathology
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Question 38
Incorrect
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To reach the oral vestibule, the parotid duct must pierce this muscle:
Your Answer: Masseter muscle
Correct Answer: Buccinator muscle
Explanation:The parotid duct or Stensen duct is a duct and the route that saliva takes from the major salivary gland, the parotid gland into the mouth. The parotid duct is formed when several interlobular ducts—the largest ducts inside the parotid gland join. It emerges from the gland and runs forward along the lateral side of the masseter muscle. In this course, the duct is surrounded by the buccal fat pad. It takes a steep turn at the border of the masseter and passes through the buccinator muscle, opening into the vestibule of the mouth, between the cheek and the gums, at the parotid papilla, which lies across the second superior molar tooth.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 39
Incorrect
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A 65-year old gentleman presents to the clinic with chronic back pain and weight loss. His blood count shows a white blood cell count of 10 × 109/l, with a differential count of 66 polymorphonuclear leukocytes, 7 bands, 3 metamyelocytes, 3 myelocytes, 14 lymphocytes, 7 monocytes, and 5 nucleated red blood cells. The haemoglobin is 13 g/dl with a haematocrit of 38.1%, a mean corpuscular volume of 82 fl, and a platelet count of 126 × 109/l. What is the likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Correct Answer: Metastatic carcinoma
Explanation:The peripheral blood findings suggest a leucoerythroblastic picture, the common causes of which in a 65-year old gentleman includes prostatic or lung malignancy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology
- Pathology
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Question 40
Incorrect
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A young man was thrown from a vehicle in a collision. He landed on his head and shoulder tip, stretching the left side of his neck. A neurological examination revealed that the fifth and sixth cervical nerves had been torn from the spinal cord. What is the most obvious clinical manifestation of this?
Your Answer: Adduction
Correct Answer: Abduction
Explanation:In the case of injuries to the upper roots of the brachial plexus there is complete loss of abduction. The muscle performing this movement is the supraspinatus. This initiates the movement, followed by the deltoid muscle, which allows for complete abduction. Both these muscles are innervated by nerves originating from C5 and C6. The injury to these roots results in a condition named Erb-Duchenne’s palsy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
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Question 41
Correct
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A 40 year old man suffered severe trauma following an MVA. His BP is 70/33 mmhg, heart rate of 140 beats/mins and very feeble pulse. He was transfused 3 units of blood resulting in his BP returning to 100/70 and his heart rate to 90 beats/min. What decreased following transfusion?
Your Answer: Total peripheral resistance
Explanation:The patient is in hypovolemic shock, he is transfused with blood to replace the volume lost. It is important not only to replace fluids but stop active bleeding in resuscitation. Fluid replacement will result in a decreased sympathetic discharge and adequate ventricular filling thus reducing total peripheral resistance and increasing cardiac output and cardiac filling pressures.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Physiology
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Question 42
Incorrect
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The Brunner glands secrete an alkaline product that helps maintain an optimal pH for pancreatic enzyme activity. Where are these glands located?
Your Answer: At the base of the villi throughout the small intestine
Correct Answer: Submucosa of the duodeneum
Explanation:The Brunner glands are located in the submucosa of the duodenum. These glands are connected to the interstitial lumen by ducts that open into certain crypts. They secrete an alkaline product that protects the duodenal mucosa from the acidic chyme and helps achieve an optimal pH for the enzymes.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 43
Correct
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is likely to result in:
Your Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Explanation:COPD leads to respiratory acidosis (chronic). This occurs due to hypoventilation which involves multiple causes, such as poor responsiveness to hypoxia and hypercapnia, increased ventilation/perfusion mismatch leading to increased dead space ventilation and decreased diaphragm function.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
- Respiratory
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Question 44
Correct
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The ability of the bacteria to cause disease or its virulence is related to :
Your Answer: Toxin and enzyme production
Explanation:The pathogenicity of an organism or its ability to cause disease is determined by its virulence factors. Many bacteria produce virulence factors that inhibit the host’s immune system. The virulence factors of bacteria are typically proteins or other molecules that are synthesized by enzymes. These proteins are coded for by genes in chromosomal DNA, bacteriophage DNA or plasmids. The proteins made by the bacteria can poison the host cells and cause tissue damage.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
- Pathology
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Question 45
Incorrect
-
A 78-year-old diabetic man undergoes renal function tests. Which of the following substances will be the most accurate for measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?
Your Answer: Creatinine
Correct Answer: Inulin
Explanation:Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the volume of fluid filtered from the renal glomerular capillaries into the Bowman’s capsule per unit time. Clinically, this is often measured to determine renal function. Inulin was originally used as it is not reabsorbed by the kidney after glomerular filtration, therefore its rate of excretion is directly proportional to the rate of filtration of water and solutes across the glomerular filter. However, in clinical practice, creatinine clearance is used to measure GFR. Creatinine is an endogenous molecule, synthesised in the body, that is freely filtered by the glomerulus (but also secreted by the renal tubules in very small amounts). Creatinine clearance exceeds GFR due to creatinine secretion, and is therefore a close approximation of the GFR.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
- Renal
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Question 46
Correct
-
A 22-year old man presented with a mass in his left scrotum which was more prominent when standing and felt like a 'bag of worms'. Examination revealed a non-tender mass along the spermatic cord. Also, the right testis was larger than the left testis. What is the likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Varicocele
Explanation:Varicocele refers to dilatation and increased tortuosity of the pampiniform plexus – which is a network of veins found in spermatic cord that drain the testicle. Defective valves or extrinsic compression can result in outflow obstruction and cause dilatation near the testis. Normal diameter of the small vessels ranges from 0.5 – 1.5mm. A varicocele is a dilatation more than 2mm.
The plexus travels from the posterior aspect of testis into the inguinal canal with other structures forming the spermatic cord. They then form the testicular veins out of which the right testicular vein drains into the inferior vena cava and the left into the left renal vein.
It affects 15-20% men, and 40% of infertile males. Usually diagnosed in 15-25 years of age, they are rarely seen after 40 years of age. Because of the vertical path taken by the left testicular vein to drain into left renal vein, 98% idiopathic varicoceles occur on the left side. It is bilateral in 70% cases. Right-sided varicoceles are rare.
Symptoms include pain or heaviness in the testis, infertility, testicular atrophy, a palpable mass, which is non-tender and along the spermatic cord (resembling a ‘bag of worms’). The testis on the affected side might be smaller.
Diagnosis can be made by ultrasound. Provocative measures such as Valsalva manoeuvre or making the patient stand up to increase the dilatation by increasing the intra-abdominal venous pressure.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Urology
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Question 47
Correct
-
If a tumour is found in both lobes of the prostate, without nodal involvement or metastases, a histological grade of G2 and elevated PSA, what is the overall prostatic cancer stage?
Your Answer: Stage II
Explanation:The AJCC uses the TNM, Gleason score and PSA levels to determine the overall stage of prostatic cancer. This staging is as follows:
Stage I: T1, N0, M0, Gleason score 6 or less, PSA less than 10; or T2a, N0, M0, Gleason score 6 or less, PSA less than 10
Stage IIa: T1, N0, M0, Gleason score of 7, PSA less than 20; or T1, N0, M0, Gleason score of 6 or less, PSA at least 10 but less than 20; or T2a or T2b, N0, M0, Gleason score of 7 or less, PSA less than 20
Stage IIb: T2c, N0, M0, any Gleason score, any PSA; or T1 or T2, N0, M0, any Gleason score PSA of 20 or more; or T1 or T2, N0, M0, Gleason score of 8 or higher, any PSA
Stage III: T3, N0, M0, any Gleason score, any PSA Stage IV: T4, N0, M0,any Gleason score, any PSA; or any T, N1, M0,any Gleason score, any PSA; or Any T, any N, M1, any Gleason score, any PSA.
The patient in this case has a T2 N0 M0 G2 tumour, meaning it belongs in stage II
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Urology
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Question 48
Correct
-
A 39-year-old man, after radiological evaluation and thoracentesis, was found to have chylothorax. What is the most probable cause of this diagnose?
Your Answer: Mediastinal malignant lymphoma
Explanation:Chylothorax is a potentially lethal condition characterized by fluid (chyle) accumulation in the pleural cavity, resulting from disruption of lymphatic drainage in the thoracic duct. Chyle is a fluid rich in triglycerides and chylomicrons and can originate from the thorax, the abdomen or both. Malignant tumours, especially lymphoma, are the most common causes of nontraumatic chylothorax. Bronchogenic carcinoma and trauma are the most common causes after lymphomas. Other rare causes of chylothorax are; granulomatous diseases, tuberculosis, congenital malformations, nephrotic syndrome, hypothyroidism, cirrhosis, decompensated heart failure and idiopathic chylothorax.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Respiratory
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Question 49
Correct
-
The operating surgeon notices a structure lying alongside a herniated mass whilst repairing an indirect inguinal hernia in a female patient. Which structure could this be?
Your Answer: Round ligament of the uterus
Explanation:The main structure traversing the inguinal canal in women is the round ligament. In men, it is the spermatic cord.
The iliohypogastric nerve innervates the abdominal wall and runs between the transversus abdominis and internal oblique muscles before piercing the internal oblique at the anterior superior iliac spine to run between the internal and external obliques.
The inferior epigastric artery is between the peritoneum and the transversus abdominis creating the lateral umbilical fold.
The ovarian artery and the ovarian vein are branches from the descending aorta and inferior vena cava that supply the ovary in the pelvic cavity.
The pectineal ligament is a thick fascial layer over the pectineal line of the pubis. It doesn’t traverse the canal.
The broad ligament if found on the lateral sides of the uterus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 50
Correct
-
A neurotransmitter of the nigrostriatal pathway is:
Your Answer: Dopamine
Explanation:Dopamine acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, activating dopamine receptors. It is also a neurohormone released from the hypothalamus. It plays an important role in the reward system. It is believed that dopamine provides a teaching signal to parts of the brain responsible for acquiring new motor sequences (behaviours), by activation of dopamine neurons when an unexpected reward is presented. Loss of dopamine neurones in the nigrostriatal pathway causes Parkinson’s disease. In the frontal lobes, dopamine controls the flow of information from other areas of the brain, and thus, dopamine disorders in this region can cause a decline in neurocognitive functions, especially memory, attention and problem solving. Reduced dopamine concentrations in the prefrontal cortex are thought to contribute to attention-deficit disorder and some symptoms of schizophrenia. Dopamine is also the primary neuroendocrine regulator of the secretion of prolactin from the anterior pituitary gland. Dopamine is also commonly associated with the pleasure system of the brain. This plays a key role in understanding the mechanism of action of drugs (such as cocaine and the amphetamines), which seem to be directly or indirectly related to the increase of dopamine.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Physiology
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Question 51
Correct
-
During an exploratory laparotomy in a 22 year-old man shot in the abdomen, the operating doctor discovers the large bowel is perforated. Which of the following characteristics of the bowel enabled the surgeon to identify it as the large bowel?
Your Answer: Epiploic appendages
Explanation:The large intestine doesn’t have a continuous layer of longitudinal muscle. Instead, it has three strips of longitudinal muscle called taenia coli. The large intestine is covered with omental appendages that are fat filled. It is also folded into sacculations called haustrations. Serosa is a general term for the outermost coat or serous layer of a visceral structure that lies in the body cavities of the abdomen or thorax.
Complete circular folds are only found in the small intestine.
Valvulae conniventes or valves of Kerckring are the circular folds which are large valvular flaps projecting into the lumen of the small bowel.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 52
Correct
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What is the reason for a deranged thrombin clotting time?
Your Answer: Heparin therapy
Explanation:Thrombic clotting time is also known as thrombin time. It is clinically performed to determine the therapeutic levels of heparin. After plasma is isolated from the blood, bovine thrombin is added to it and the time it takes from the addition to clot is recorded. The reference interval is usually <21s. deranged results are indicative of heparin therapy, hypofibrinogenemia, hyperfibrinogenaemia or lupus anticoagulant.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 53
Incorrect
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A 27 year old women had developed a darker complexion following a vacation to India. She had no erythema or tenderness. Her skin colour returned to normal over a period of 1 month. Which of the these substances is related to the biochemical change mentioned above?
Your Answer: Hemosiderin
Correct Answer: Tyrosine
Explanation:The tanning process can occur due to UV light exposure as a result of oxidation of tyrosine to dihydrophenylalanine with the help of the tyrosinase enzyme within the melanocytes. Hemosiderin can impart a brown colour due to breakdown of RBC but its usually due to a trauma and is known as haemochromatosis.
Lipofuscin gives a golden brown colour to the cell granules not the skin.
Homogentisic acid is part of a rare disease alkaptonuria, with characteristic black pigment deposition within the connective tissue.
Copper can impart a brown golden colour, but is not related to UV light exposure.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Injury & Wound Healing
- Pathology
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Question 54
Incorrect
-
Which organ is most vulnerable to haemorrhagic shock?
Your Answer: Brain
Correct Answer: Kidneys
Explanation:At rest, the brain receives 15% cardiac output, muscles 15%, gastrointestinal tract 30% and kidneys receive 20%. However, if normalised by weight, the largest specific blood flow is received by the kidneys at rest (400 ml/min x 100g), making them highly vulnerable in the case of a haemorrhagic shock.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Physiology
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Question 55
Correct
-
During an operation to repair an indirect inguinal hernia, you are asked to indicate the position of the deep inguinal ring. You indicate this as being:
Your Answer: Above the midpoint of the inguinal ligament
Explanation:The deep inguinal ring is near the midpoint of the inguinal ligament, below the anterior superior iliac spine. It is lateral to the inferior epigastric artery. The superficial ring, however, is found above the pubic tubercle. The supravesical fossa is the space between the median and medial umbilical folds.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 56
Correct
-
What is the chief ligament preventing posterior sliding of the tibia on the femur ?
Your Answer: Posterior cruciate
Explanation:The posterior cruciate ligament is attached to the posterior intercondyloid fossa of the tibia and the lateral and front part of the medial condyle of the femur. It resists sliding of the tibia posteriorly.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
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Question 57
Correct
-
Enlargement of the spleen as seen in Gaucher's disease pushes the spleen downward and medially. What structure limits the straight-vertical-downward movement?
Your Answer: Left colic flexure
Explanation:The left colic flexure (also known as the splenic flexure), is the point where the colon takes a sharp turn downwards. It is the point where the transverse colon ends and the descending colon begins. It is located immediately inferior to the spleen so an enlarged spleen must move medially to avoid this colic flexure.
The left suprarenal gland is retroperitoneal.
The Ligament of Treitz suspends the fourth part of the duodenum from the posterior abdominal wall.
The stomach, pancreas and liver lie medial to the spleen and thus would not prevent a vertical downward movement.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 58
Correct
-
A 42 - year old male patient with an acute onset headache was brought in to the emergency department with suspicion of a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The SHO on call decided to have a diagnostic lumbar puncture after computed topography scan failed to support the suspicion. To perform a successful lumbar puncture without causing injury to the spine, which anatomical landmark should guide the SHO to locate the fourth vertebra for insertion of the spinal needle?
Your Answer: Iliac crest
Explanation:The safest spinal level for conducting a lumbar puncture, is at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. The anatomical landmark used to locate the fourth lumbar vertebra (L4), is the iliac crest. The needle can safely be inserted either above or below L4. The conus medullaris is at the level of the border of L1 and L2 so L4 is safely distant from it.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 59
Correct
-
Which ectopic tissue is usually contained in the Meckel's diverticulum?
Your Answer: Gastric
Explanation:The Meckel’s diverticulum is a vestigial remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct. This structure is also referred to as the vitelline and contains two types of ectopic tissue, namely; gastric and pancreatic.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Embryology
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Question 60
Correct
-
In an anatomy demonstration, the instructor asked one of the medical students to pass his index finger inferior to the root of the left lung. The student notices that his finger is blocked by a structure. Which structure do you think is responsible for this?
Your Answer: Pulmonary ligament
Explanation:The pulmonary ligament is dual layer of pleura stretching from the inferior part of the hilar reflection toward the diaphragm.
The costodiaphragmatic recess is the cavity at the inferior border of the lung where the costal pleura becomes the diaphragmatic pleura.
The cupola: is part of the pleura that extends superiorly above the first rib and has no association with the root of the lung.
Inferior vena cava is located in the mediastinum, not near the root of the lung.
Left pulmonary veins being part of the root of the lung, would not block access to behind the lung. Costomediastinal recess is the part of the pleura where the costal pleura become the mediastinal pleura.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Thorax
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Question 61
Correct
-
A patient with this condition has extracellular fluid volume expansion:
Your Answer: Nephrotic syndrome
Explanation:Nephrotic syndrome is a syndrome comprising of signs of nephrosis, including proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and oedema. It is a component of glomerulonephritis, in which different degrees of proteinuria occur. Essentially, loss of protein through the kidneys leads to low protein levels in the blood , which causes water to be drawn into soft tissues (oedema). Severe hypoalbuminemia can also cause a variety of secondary problems, such as water in the abdominal cavity (ascites), around the heart or lung (pericardial effusion, pleural effusion), high cholesterol, loss of molecules regulating coagulation (hence increased risk of thrombosis). The most common sign is excess fluid in the body due to the serum hypoalbuminemia. Lower serum oncotic pressure causes fluid to accumulate in the interstitial tissues. Sodium and water retention aggravates the oedema.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Pathology
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Question 62
Correct
-
In a neurological exam on a robbery with violence victim, it was discovered that the victim had lost sense of touch to the skin over her cheek and chin (maxilla and mandible region). Where are the cell bodies of the nerve that is responsible for touch sensations of this region located?
Your Answer: Cranial nerve V ganglion
Explanation:The skin over the cheek and the maxilla are innervated by the trigeminal nerve (CN V). The trigeminal nerve has three major branches and it is the largest cranial nerve. The three branches of the trigeminal nerve are; the ophthalmic nerve, the maxillary nerve and the mandibular nerve. The trigeminal nerves ganglion is a sensory nerve ganglion know as the trigeminal ganglion (also referred to as the Gasser’s ganglion or the semilunar ganglion). It is contained in the dura matter in a cavity known as the Meckel’s cave, which covers the trigeminal impression near the apex of the petrous part of the temporal bone.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 63
Correct
-
Signals pass through neuromuscular junctions via the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. After release from the skeletal neuromuscular junction, acetylcholine:
Your Answer: Causes postsynaptic depolarisation
Explanation:Acetylcholine is released from the presynaptic membrane into the cleft where it binds to the ion gated channels on the post synaptic membrane, causing them to open. This results in sodium entering into the fibre and further depolarizing it, creating an action potential.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 64
Correct
-
A patient with Paget's disease of the bone is predisposed to developing which type of cancer?
Your Answer: Osteosarcoma
Explanation:Paget’s disease of bone (PDB) is a focal disorder of bone. It is presumed benign in nature and mediated by abnormal osteoclast function. However osteosarcomas may occur in <1% of patients with Paget's disease of the bone. Osteosarcomas are osteogenic in origin, and consistently arise in sites of pagetic bone. This is not to be confused with Paget's disease of the breast.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neoplasia
- Pathology
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Question 65
Correct
-
Which of these nerves controls adduction of hand?
Your Answer: Ulnar nerve
Explanation:The adductors of the fingers are the palmer interossei. They are supplied by the ulnar nerve, which is a branch of the medical cord of the brachial plexus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
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Question 66
Correct
-
Lung compliance is increased by:
Your Answer: Emphysema
Explanation:Lung compliance is increased by emphysema, acute asthma and increasing age and decreased by alveolar oedema, pulmonary hypertension, atelectasis and pulmonary fibrosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
- Respiratory
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Question 67
Incorrect
-
 A 45-year-old man presented to the doctor complaining of a flank pain and episodes of haematuria. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a left renal mass and the patient underwent a nephrectomy. Histopathological pattern was triphasic with blastemal, epithelial, and stromal components. The pathologist suggested the tumour resulted from the lack of a tumour suppressor gene on chromosome 11. Which of the following tumours is the pathologist most likely suggesting?
Your Answer: Renal cell carcinoma
Correct Answer: Wilms’ tumour
Explanation:Wilms’ tumour is one of the most common malignant tumours of childhood but it can also rarely be found in adults. In biopsy, classical histopathological findings include the triphasic pattern composed by blastemal, epithelial, and stromal elements. First symptoms in children include an abdominal palpable mass, while in adults pain and haematuria are the most common complaints. Deletions of tumours’ suppressor genes on chromosome 11 are usually associated with Wilms’ tumour.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Renal
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Question 68
Correct
-
Atrial septal defect (ASD) is most likely to be due to incomplete closure of which one of the following structures:
Your Answer: Foramen ovale
Explanation:Atrial septal defect is a congenital heart defect that results in a communication between the right and left atria of the heart and may involve the interatrial septum. It results from incomplete closure of the foramen ovale which is normally open during fetal life and closes just after birth.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Thorax
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Question 69
Correct
-
During hysterectomy, the ureter is most likely to be ligated when a surgeon is clamping the?
Your Answer: Uterine arteries
Explanation:The ureter forms the posterior boundary of a shallow depression which lodges the ovary and then runs medially and forward on the lateral aspect of the uterine cervix and upper part of the vagina to reach the fundus of the bladder. It is also situated about 2cm from the side of the cervix of the uterus. The relationship of the ureters and uterine arteries is of clinical significance because the arteries are at risk of iatrogenic injury during hysterectomy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Pelvis
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Question 70
Incorrect
-
Under normal conditions, what is the major source of energy of cardiac muscles?
Your Answer: Glucose
Correct Answer: Fatty acids
Explanation:Under basal conditions, most of the energy needed by cardiac muscle for metabolism is derived from fats (60%), 35% by carbohydrates, and 5% by ketones and amino acids. However, after intake of large amounts of glucose, lactate and pyruvate are mainly used. During prolonged starvation, fat acts as the primary source. 50% of the used lipids are sourced from circulating fatty acids.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Physiology
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Question 71
Correct
-
A 34-year-old Asian male presents with cervical lymphadenopathy. The patient is suspected to have tuberculous lymphadenopathy. Excision biopsy of one of the nodes showed granulomatous inflammation. Which histopathologic feature is most likely consistent with the diagnosis of tuberculosis?
Your Answer: Caseation necrosis
Explanation:The granulomas of tuberculosis tend to contain necrosis (caseating tubercles), but non-necrotizing granulomas may also be present. Multinucleated giant cells with nuclei arranged like a horseshoe (Langhans giant cells) and foreign body giant cells are often present, but are not specific for tuberculosis. A definitive diagnosis of tuberculosis requires identification of the causative organism by microbiological cultures.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
- Pathology
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Question 72
Incorrect
-
A 62-year-old male patient in the intensive care unit was found to have a low serum phosphate level. What is the serum level of phosphate which is considered as normal in adults?
Your Answer: 2.5-5.5 mmol/l
Correct Answer: 0.8–1.45 mmol/l
Explanation:After calcium, phosphorus is the most plentiful mineral in the human body. It is an important and vital element which our body needs to complete many physiologic processes , such as filtering waste and repairing cells. Phosphorus helps with bone growth and approximately 85% of phosphate in the body is contained in bone. Phosphate is involved in energy storage, and nerve and muscle production. A normal range of plasma phosphate in adults teenagers generally from 0.8 mmol/l to 1.45 mmol/l. The normal range varies depending on age. Infants and children have higher phosphorus levels because more of this mineral is needed for their normal growth and bone development.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Pathology
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Question 73
Incorrect
-
A victim of mob justice was brought to the A & E with a stab wound in the anterior chest 2 cm lateral to the left sternal border. He underwent an emergency thoracotomy that revealed clots in the pericardium, with a puncture wound in the right ventricle. To evacuate the clots from the pericardial cavity the surgeon slipped his hand behind the heart at its apex. He extended his finger upwards until its tip was stopped by a line of pericardial reflection which forms the:
Your Answer: Transverse pericardial sinus
Correct Answer: Oblique pericardial sinus
Explanation:Transverse sinus: part of pericardial cavity that is behind the aorta and pulmonary trunk and in front of the superior vena cava separating the outflow vessels from the inflow vessels.
Oblique pericardial sinus: is behind the left atrium where the visceral pericardium reflects onto the pulmonary veins and the inferior vena cava. Sliding a finger under the heart will take you to this space.
Cardiac notch: indentation of the ‘of the heart’ on the superior lobe of the left lung.
Hilar reflection: the reflection of the pleura onto the root of the lung to continue as mediastinal pleura.
Costomediastinal recess: part of the pleural sac where the costal pleura transitions to become the mediastinal pleura.
Sulcus terminalis: a groove between the right atrium and the vena cava
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Thorax
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Question 74
Correct
-
After a car accident, a 30-year-old woman is alert and only has minor, superficial injuries. 2 hours later, she becomes unconscious and a CT scan reveals a convex, lens-shaped haemorrhage over the right parietal region. The most likely diagnosis is:
Your Answer: Epidural haematoma
Explanation:Epidural haematomas are usually caused by arterial bleeding, classically due to damage to the middle meningeal artery by a temporal bone fracture. Symptoms develop within minutes to several hours after the injury and consist of increasing headache, decreased level of consciousness, hemiparesis and pupillary dilation with loss of light reactivity. Around 15–20% of epidural hematomas are fatal.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Pathology
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Question 75
Correct
-
A biopsy taken from the respiratory passage of a 37 year old male, chronic smoker will mostly likely show which cellular adaptation?
Your Answer: Stratified squamous metaplasia
Explanation:Metaplasia is a change in the cell type caused in part due to an extrinsic stress on the organ. It involves a change in the surface epithelium from one cell type to the another, most commonly squamous to columnar. This is a reversible process, and removal of the stress should theoretically reverse the surface epithelium back to normal morphology. Respiratory tract metaplasia is a classic example, in which the normal pseudostratified columnar epithelium is replaced by stratified squamous epithelium to better cope with the stress. Under continuous stress metaplasia can progress to dysplasia which is a disordered growth of cells eventually leading to the development of carcinoma.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Injury & Wound Healing; Respiratory
- Pathology
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Question 76
Incorrect
-
Which of the following proteins prevents red blood cells (RBCs) from bursting when they pass through capillaries?
Your Answer: Myosin
Correct Answer: Spectrin
Explanation:Spectrin is a structural protein found in the cytoskeleton that lines the intercellular side of the membrane of cells which include RBCs. They maintain the integrity and structure of the cell. It is arranged into a hexagonal arrangement formed from tetramers of spectrin and associated with short actin filaments that form junctions allowing the RBC to distort its shape.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 77
Correct
-
A syndrome responsible for failure to absorb vitamin B12 from the GIT is called?
Your Answer: Pernicious anaemia
Explanation:Pernicious anaemia is a type of autoimmune disease in which antibodies form against the parietal cells or intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is required for the absorption of vitamin B12. Blood testing typically shows a macrocytic, normochromic anaemia and low levels of serum vitamin B12. A Schilling test can then be used to distinguish between pernicious anaemia, vitamin B12 malabsorption and vitamin B12 deficiency. Symptoms include shortness of breath, pallor and diarrhoea etc.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 78
Correct
-
Which of the following terms best describes the movement of leukocytes towards a specific target?
Your Answer: Chemotaxis
Explanation:The movement of leukocytes towards a chemical mediator is termed chemotaxis and the mediators likewise called chemoattractants.
Diapedesis is the squeezing of the leukocytes from the capillary wall into the intercellular space.
Endocytosis is engulfing of a small substance by the cells e.g. glucose, protein, fats.
Margination is lining of the WBC along the periphery of the blood vessel.
Adhesion is attachment with the vessel wall.
Phagocytosis is described as engulfing the bacteria or the offending substance.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Inflammation & Immunology
- Pathology
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Question 79
Correct
-
A 54-year-old woman is re-admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath and sharp chest pain 2 weeks after surgical cholecystectomy. The most probable cause of these clinical findings is:
Your Answer: Pulmonary embolus
Explanation:Pulmonary embolism is caused by the sudden blockage of a major lung blood vessel, usually by a blood clot. Symptoms include sudden sharp chest pain, cough, dyspnoea, palpitations, tachycardia or loss of consciousness. Risk factors for developing pulmonary embolism include long periods of inactivity, recent surgery, trauma, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, oestrogen replacement, malignancies and venous stasis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Respiratory
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Question 80
Correct
-
The lateral thoracic artery:
Your Answer: Accompanies the long thoracic nerve to the serratus anterior muscle
Explanation:The thoracic nerve, along with the lateral thoracic artery, follow the pectoralis minor to the side of the chest which supplies the serratus anterior and the pectoralis. It then sends branches across the axilla to the axillary glands and subscapularis. The pectoral branch of the thoraco-acromial anastomoses with the internal mammary, subscapular and intercostal arteries, which in women, supply an external mammary branch.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Breast
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Question 81
Incorrect
-
Injury to this nerve will affect the function of the palatoglossus and levator veli palatini muscles:
Your Answer: Cranial nerve XII
Correct Answer: Cranial nerve X
Explanation:The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) innervates both the palatoglossus and levator veli palatini muscles.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 82
Correct
-
A CT scan of 65 year old male patient at an outpatient clinic suggested a bone tumour at the stylomastoid foramen. Which of the following cranial nerves is likely to be affected with this tumour?
Your Answer: VII
Explanation:Cranial nerve VII, the facial nerve, is found in the internal acoustic canal and runs through this canal into the facial canal before exiting through the stylomastoid foramen. In the case of a bone tumour at the stylomastoid process, the facial nerve is the nerve that will most likely be affected.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 83
Correct
-
Laboratory findings in a patient with dark urine and yellowish skin revealed a prolonged prothrombin time. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this finding?
Your Answer: Liver damage
Explanation:Various conditions may prolong the prothrombin time (PT), including: warfarin use, vitamin K deficiency, liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, hypofibrinogenemia, heparin infusion, massive blood transfusion and hypothermia. Liver disease causes prolonging of PT due to diminished synthesis of clotting factors. Dark urine colour and jaundice are indicators of the presence of a liver disease in this patient.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology
- Pathology
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Question 84
Incorrect
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What is the pH of freshly formed saliva at ultimate stimulation?
Your Answer: 4.4
Correct Answer: 8
Explanation:Saliva has four major components: mucus (lubricant), α-amylase (enzyme that initiates digestion of starch), lingual lipase (enzyme that begins fat digestion), and a slightly alkaline electrolyte solution for moistening food. As the secretion rate of saliva increases, its osmolality increases. Moreover, the pH changes from slightly acidic (at rest) to basic (pH 8) at ultimate stimulation. This occurs due to increase of HCO3-. Amylase and mucus also increase in concentration after stimulation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
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Question 85
Correct
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An anatomy instructor is giving a demonstration of the right lung. Which of the statements about the right lung made by the demonstrator is correct?
Your Answer: Its upper lobar bronchus lies behind and above the right pulmonary artery
Explanation:The root of the lungs on both sides are similar in that the pulmonary veins are anterior and inferior while the bronchus is posterior. However, on the right side, the pulmonary arteries are anterior to the bronchus while on the left side the pulmonary arteries are superior to the bronchus. The lingual is only found on the left lung. The mediastinum is the space in the thorax between the two pleural sacs and does not contain any lung. The right lung, having three lobes, is slightly larger than the left lung. On both sides, the phrenic nerves passes in front of the root of the lung.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Thorax
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Question 86
Correct
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In what form are fats primarily transported in the body?
Your Answer: Free fatty acids
Explanation:Fat is mainly transported in the body as free fatty acids. Once out of the adipose cell, the free fatty acids get ionized and combine with albumin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
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Question 87
Correct
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Which of the following coagulation factors is responsible for the formation of a complex with tissue factor to activate factors IX and X?
Your Answer: Factor VII
Explanation:Factor VII, also known as proconvertin or stable factor, is a vitamin K–dependent protein that plays a central role in haemostasis and coagulation. Tissue factor is a protein that is normally not exposed on the surface of intact blood vessels. Damage to the vascular lumen leads to tissue factor exposure. The exposed tissue factor binds to factor VII. This facilitates the activation of factor VII to factor VIIa.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology
- Pathology
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Question 88
Correct
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The mandibular nerve, which is the largest of the 3 divisions of the trigeminal nerve, exits the cranial cavity through which foramen?
Your Answer: Foramen ovale
Explanation:At the base of the skull the foramen ovale is one of the larger of the several holes that transmit nerves through the skull. The following structures pass through foramen ovale: mandibular nerve, motor root of the trigeminal nerve, accessory meningeal artery, lesser petrosal nerve, a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve, emissary vein connecting the cavernous sinus with the pterygoid plexus of veins and occasionally the anterior trunk of the middle meningeal vein.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 89
Correct
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Which of the following conditions is characterized by generalised oedema due to effusion of fluid into the extracellular space?
Your Answer: Anasarca
Explanation:Anasarca (or ‘generalised oedema’) is a condition characterised by widespread swelling of the skin due to effusion of fluid into the extracellular space. It is usually caused by liver failure (cirrhosis of the liver), renal failure/disease, right-sided heart failure, as well as severe malnutrition/protein deficiency.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Physiology
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Question 90
Incorrect
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C5a (a complement component) is a potent?
Your Answer: Opsonin
Correct Answer: Anaphylotoxin
Explanation:C5a is a strong chemoattractant as well as an anaphylotoxin and is involved in the recruitment of inflammatory cells such as neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and T lymphocytes. It is also involved in activation of phagocytic cells, release of granule-based enzymes and generation of oxidants. All of which contribute to innate immune functions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 91
Correct
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The prostatic plexus of nerves contains nerve fibres that innervate penile tissue allowing for erection. From which of the following nerves do these fibres originate?
Your Answer: Pelvic splanchnics
Explanation:Pelvic splanchnic nerves are examples of the parasympathetic nerves that innervate the smooth muscle and glands of the pelvic viscera. They are also the nerves contributing fibres to the prostatic plexus which innervate penile erectile tissue.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Pelvis
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Question 92
Correct
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A 55- year old male patient with cancer of the head of the pancreas was to undergo whipple's operation to have the tumour removed. During the surgery, the surgeon had to ligate the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery to stop blood supply to the head of the pancreas. Which of the following arteries does the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery branch from?
Your Answer: Superior mesenteric artery
Explanation:The inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery is a branch of the superior mesenteric artery or from the first intestinal branch of the superior mesenteric artery. Once given off, it runs to the right between the pancreatic head and the duodenum and then ascends to form an anastomosis with the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 93
Correct
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A 23 year old woman is Rh -ve and she delivered a baby with a Rh+ blood group. What measure can be performed to prevent Rh incompatibility in the next pregnancy?
Your Answer: Immunoglobulin D
Explanation:Rh disease is also known as erythroblastosis fetalis and is a disease of the new-born. In mild states it can cause anaemia with reticulocytosis and in severe forms causes severe anaemia, morbus hemolytcus new-born and hydrops fetalis. RBCs of the Rh+ baby can cross the placenta and enter into the maternal blood. As she is Rh- her body will form antibodies against the D antigen which will pass through the placenta in subsequent pregnancies.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 94
Correct
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A child presents with hypertension. Serum potassium analysis shows hypokalaemia. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Liddle syndrome
Explanation:Liddle’s syndrome,  is an autosomal dominant disorder, that is characterized by early, and frequently severe, high blood pressure associated with low plasma renin activity, metabolic alkalosis, low blood potassium, and normal to low levels of aldosterone. Liddle syndrome involves abnormal kidney function, with excess reabsorption of sodium and loss of potassium from the renal tubule. Bartter Syndrome also presents with hypokalaemia, however blood pressure of these patients is usually low or normal.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Pathology
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Question 95
Correct
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An old man presented with atrophy of the thenar eminence despite the sensation over it still being intact. What is the injured nerve in this case?
Your Answer: Median nerve
Explanation:Atrophy of the thenar muscles means injury to the motor supply of these muscles. The nerve that sends innervation to it is the median nerve. But the median nerve does not provide sensory innervation to the overlying skin so sensation is spared.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
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Question 96
Correct
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Which organs would cause pain in a patient who complains of dull pain in her pelvis, along the midline starting from the pubic bone in the front to the sacrum at the back?
Your Answer: Urinary bladder, uterus/cervix/vagina, rectum
Explanation:The pain could have been caused by the urinary bladder, uterus/cervix/vagina or rectum as it involves the pelvic viscera.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Pelvis
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Question 97
Incorrect
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A patient with this type of tumour is advised to follow up regularly for monitoring of tumour size as there is a strong correlation with malignant potential and tumour size. Which of the following is the most likely tumour in this patient?
Your Answer: Prostate adenocarcinoma
Correct Answer: Renal adenocarcinoma
Explanation:The distinction between a benign renal adenoma and renal adenocarcinoma is commonly made on the basis of size. Tumours less than 2 cm in size rarely become malignant as opposed to those greater than 3 cm.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neoplasia
- Pathology
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Question 98
Incorrect
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Which nerve mediates the sensation to itch from the skin that is just over the base of the spine of your scapula?
Your Answer: Dorsal root of T2
Correct Answer: Dorsal primary ramus of C7
Explanation:The first branches off spinal nerves are called the dorsal and ventral rami. The dorsal rami mediate sensation of the skin over the back and motor supply to the true muscles of the back whilst the ventral rami gives sensation to the skin over the limbs and the skin that is over the ventral side of the trunk. It also gives motor supply to the skeletal muscles of the neck, the trunk and extremities. Hence, itchiness of the part of the skin that is over the spine of the scapula would be mediated by the primary ramus of C7. Accessory nerve doesn’t have any sensory innervation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Neurology
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Question 99
Incorrect
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A 35-year old lady presents to her GP with vague abdominal symptoms. Examination reveals a normal size spleen. Which of the following is the likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Myelofibrosis
Correct Answer: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Explanation:Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a disease caused due to development of an antibody against a platelet antigen (autoantibody). In childhood disease, the autoantibody gets triggered by binding of viral antigen to the megakaryocytes. Presentation includes unexplained thrombocytopenia, petechiae and bleeding from mucosal surfaces. The spleen usually does not enlarge in size. However, splenomegaly can occur due to coexisting viral infection. Marrow examination reveals normal or increased number of megakaryocytes. Diagnosis is by exclusion of other thrombocytopenic disorders.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology
- Pathology
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Question 100
Incorrect
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Which of the following diseases affects young adults, causing pain in any bone -particularly long bones- which worsens at night, and is typically relieved by common analgesics, such as aspirin?
Your Answer: Ewing’s sarcoma
Correct Answer: Osteoid osteoma
Explanation:Osteoid osteoma, which tends to affect young adults, can occur in any bone but is most common in long bones. It can cause pain (usually worse at night) that is typically relieved by mild analgesics, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. X-ray findings include a small radiolucent zone surrounded by a larger sclerotic zone.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Orthopaedics
- Pathology
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
