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Question 1
Incorrect
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A 46 -year old patient diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis, was to undergo surgery to improve drainage from his frontal sinus to the nose. Which is a route that one would take to enter into the frontal sinus through the nasal cavity?
Your Answer: Sphenoethmoidal recess
Correct Answer: Middle meatus
Explanation:The middle meatus is a nasal passageway located inferior to the middle concha and superior to the inferior concha. On the superior aspect of this meatus is a bulge produced by the middle ethmoidal cells known as the bulla ethmoidalis. Below this bulge is a curved fissure, the hiatus semilunaris, which is also bordered inferiorly by the edge of the uncinate process of the ethmoid. It is through this curved fissure, hiatus semilunaris, that the middle meatus communicates with the frontal sinus. It first forms a communication with a curved passage way known as the infundibulum. The infundibulum anteriorly communicates with the anterior ethmoidal cells and continues upward as the frontonasal duct into the frontal sinus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 2
Correct
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Normally, the O2 transfer in the lungs from alveolar to capillary is perfusion-limited. In which of the following situations does it become a diffusion-limited process?
Your Answer: Pulmonary oedema
Explanation:Normally, the transfer of oxygen from air spaces to blood takes place across the alveolar-capillary membrane by simple diffusion and depends entirely on the amount of blood flow (perfusion-limited process). Diseases that affect this diffusion will transform the normal process to a diffusion limited process. Thus, the diseases which cause a thickened barrier (such as pulmonary oedema due to increased extravascular lung water or asbestosis) will limit the diffusion of oxygen. Chronic obstructive lung diseases will have little effect on diffusion. Inhaling hyperbaric gas mixtures might overcome the diffusion limitation in patients with mild asbestosis or interstitial oedema, by increasing the driving force. Strenuous (not mild) exercise might also favour diffusion limitation and decrease passage time. Increasing the rate of ventilation will not have this affect but will only maintain a high oxygen gradient from air to blood.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
- Respiratory
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Question 3
Incorrect
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A 24-year-old patient with recurrent episodes of deep vein thrombosis presents again to the clinic. Deficiency of which of the following blood proteins is the most probable cause of this episode?
Your Answer: Fibrinogen
Correct Answer: Antithrombin III
Explanation:Antithrombin III (ATIII) is a blood protein that acts by inhibiting blood coagulation by neutralizing the enzymatic activity of thrombin.
Antithrombin III deficiency is an autosomal dominant disorder that leads to an increased risk of venous and arterial thrombosis. Clinical manifestations typically appear in young adulthood.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology
- Pathology
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Question 4
Correct
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A 50-year-old gentleman was recently diagnosed with hypertension, with no other abnormalities on physical examination. Further investigations revealed the following :
Na+ 144 mmol/l
K+ 3.0 mmol/l
Cl- 107 mmol/l
Bicarbonate 25 mmol/l.
Blood glucose 5.8 mmol/l.
What is the likely diagnosis?Your Answer: Conn syndrome
Explanation:Overproduction of aldosterone (a mineralocorticoid) by the adrenal glands is known as Conn’s syndrome. It can be either due to an aldosterone-secreting adrenal adenoma (50-60% cases) or adrenal gland hyperplasia (40-50% cases). Excess aldosterone leads to sodium and water retention, along with potassium excretion. This leads to arterial (non-essential) hypertension. Conn’s syndrome is the commonest cause of primary hyperaldosteronism. Other symptoms include muscle cramps, headache (due to hypokalaemia) and metabolic alkalosis, which occurs due to increased secretion of H+ ions by the kidney. The raised pH of the blood traps calcium leading to symptoms of hypocalcaemia, which can be mimicked by liquorice ingestion and Liddle syndrome. To diagnose Conn’s syndrome, the ratio of renin and aldosterone is measured. Due to suppression of renin secretion, there is low renin to aldosterone ratio (<0.05). However, anti-hypertensives may affect the test results and should be withdrawn for 6 weeks. Computed tomography can also be done to detect the presence of adrenal adenoma. Cushing’s syndrome does not cause hypokalaemia with normal serum glucose levels. Nelson’s syndrome refers to increased ACTH secretion due to pituitary adenoma. Pheochromocytoma will not lead to hypokalaemia even though hypertension can be seen.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine
- Pathology
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Question 5
Incorrect
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A 45 year-old female presents with a drooping eyelid. During examination, the same pupil of the patient is found to be dilated. Which nerve could be involve in this case?
Your Answer: Trochlear nerve
Correct Answer: Oculomotor nerve
Explanation:The oculomotor nerve controls most of the eye muscles. It also controls the constriction of the pupils and thickening of the lens of the eye. This can be tested in two main ways. By moving a finger toward a person’s face to induce accommodation, their pupils should constrict or shining a light into one eye should result in equal constriction of the other eye. The neurons in the optic nerve decussate in the optic chiasm with some crossing to the contralateral optic nerve tract. This is the basis of the swinging-flashlight test. Loss of accommodation and continued pupillary dilation can indicate the presence of a lesion of the oculomotor nerve.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 6
Correct
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Severe abdominal pain radiating to the back, along with increased serum amylase levels, is seen in which of the following conditions?
Your Answer: Pancreatitis
Explanation:The primary test for diagnosis and monitoring of pancreatitis is amylase. Increased plasma levels of amylase can be found in: salivary trauma (including anaesthetic intubation), mumps, pancreatitis and renal failure. However, a rise in the total amylase levels over 10 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) is suggestive of pancreatitis; 5–10 times the ULN may indicate ileus or duodenal disease or renal failure. Lower levels are commonly found in salivary gland disease.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
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Question 7
Correct
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Following an accident, a man was unable to extend the wrist and metacarpophalangeal joints, despite sensation being intact. Which nerve was likely damaged?
Your Answer: Posterior interosseous nerve
Explanation:The posterior interosseous nerve which causes, what is known as the posterior interosseous nerve syndrome. The nerve is compressed before it bifurcates to form the medial and lateral branches. The compression is beyond the origin of the branches to the radial wrist extensors and the radial sensory nerve. The result of such a case is paralysis of the digital extensors and the extensor carpi ulnaris, resulting in dorsoradial deviation of the wrist.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
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Question 8
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 9
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 10
Correct
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What is correct regarding the obturator artery?
Your Answer: It is found in the medial compartment of the thigh
Explanation:The obturator artery is a branch of the internal iliac artery, which passes antero-inferiorly on the lateral wall of the pelvis, to the upper part of the obturator foramen. The posterior branch follows the posterior margin of the foramen and turns forward on the inferior ramus of the ischium. It also supplies an articular branch, which enters the hip joint through the acetabular notch, sending a branch along the ligamentum teres to the head of the femur. It is the main source of arterial supply to the medial compartment of the thigh
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
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Question 11
Incorrect
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A terrorist running away from the police was shot in the back. The bullet hit his left lung halfway between its apex and the diaphragmatic surface. Which part of the lung was most likely to be injured?
Your Answer: Lingula
Correct Answer: Inferior lobe
Explanation:The oblique fissure of the left lung is so sharp that the posterior surface of the left lung is mostly composed of the inferior lobe so that the point halfway between the apex and the diaphragmatic surface of the lung would result in injury to the inferior lobe.
The hilum is the point on the medial surface of the lung where the structures that form the root of the lung enter and leave the lung.
The lingual on the other hand is part of the superior lobe of the left lung and it is part of the anterior and superior sides of the lung.
The middle lobe is only found on the right lung.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Thorax
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Question 12
Correct
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A patient is admitted to the ICU, and is prescribed tazobactam, amongst other drugs. What is the mechanism of action of tazobactam?
Your Answer: Inhibits beta-lactamase
Explanation:Tazobactam is a compound which inhibits the action of bacterial beta-lactamases. It is added to the extended-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotic piperacillin to broaden the spectrum of piperacillin by making it effective against organisms that express beta-lactamase and would normally degrade piperacillin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
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Question 13
Incorrect
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Which type of contractions are responsible for the propulsion of chyme along the small intestine?
Your Answer: Peristaltic waves
Correct Answer: Segmentation
Explanation:Two major types of intestinal contractions are segmentation and peristalsis:
Segmentation occurs most frequently and primarily involves circular muscle. It is essentially a contraction of 2- or 3-cm long intestinal segments while the muscle on either side of it relaxes. Chyme in the segment is displaced in both directions. As the contracted segment relaxes, the previously relaxed segments on either side may contract. This efficiently mixes the chyme with the digestive secretions and exposes the mucosal absorptive surface to the luminal contents. It also serves a propulsive function and contributes to the movement of chyme.
Peristalsis is a propulsive wave of contraction that is initiated by intestinal distension. It is short lived and travels only a few centimetres before dying out. The combined effects of intestinal peristalsis and segmentation provide for both adequate mixing of the intestinal contents and slow, steady movement of chyme.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
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Question 14
Incorrect
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A 50-year old gentleman who was admitted for elective surgery was found to have haemoglobin 9.5 g/dl, white blood cell count of 1.4 × 109/l and a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of 134 fl. Which of the following is the likely finding on his peripheral blood smear?
Your Answer: Hypochromic microcytic red blood cells
Correct Answer: Hypersegmented neutrophils
Explanation:The likely diagnosis is megaloblastic anaemia, which also shows the presence of hypersegmented neutrophils.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology
- Pathology
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Question 15
Correct
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Following a bee sting, a women develops a 2cm red, raised, swollen lesion at the site of the sting . Which of the following findings is likely to be seen in this lesion?
Your Answer: Vasodilation
Explanation:Inflammation is the immediate response of the body towards infections or irritations. The cardinal signs of inflammation are 1. redness/rubor, 2. tumour/swelling, 3.dolar/pain, 4.calor/heat and organ dysfunction (function laesa). Inflammation has 2 components; vascular and cellular. Blood vessels dilate upstream of the inflamed area leading to the rubor and calor and constrict downstream, increasing pressure and causing fluid to leak out of the capillary, resulting in swelling. The cellular component includes infiltration by neutrophils. Leukocyte arrival and functions include; 1. margination: cells marginated from the centre to the periphery of the vessel, 2. rolling: selectins are upregulated on the vessel walls, 3. adhesion: upregulation of the adhesion molecules ICAM and VCAM on the endothelium interact with integrins on the leukocytes resulting in adhesion, 4. diapedesis and chemotaxis: diapedesis is the transmigration of the leukocyte across the endothelium of the capillary and towards a chemotactic product and 5. phagocytosis: engulfing the offending substance/cell.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Inflammation & Immunology
- Pathology
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Question 16
Incorrect
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The muscle that depresses the glenoid fossa directly is the:
Your Answer: Pectoralis major
Correct Answer: Pectoralis minor
Explanation:Situated at the upper part of the thorax beneath the pectoralis major, is a thin pectoralis minor, triangular muscle. It originates from the third, fourth and fifth ribs, near the cartilage and from the aponeurosis which covers the intercostals. These fibres move upwards and laterally to join and form a flat tendon. This is inserted into the medial border and upper surface of the coracoid process of the scapula. Through this medial anterior thoracic nerve, fibres from the pectoralis minor are received from the eighth cervical and first thoracic nerves. This pectoralis minor pushes down on the point of the shoulder (glenoid fossa), drawing the scapula downward and medially towards the thorax which throws the inferior angle backwards.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
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Question 17
Incorrect
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What is the chief ligament preventing posterior sliding of the tibia on the femur ?
Your Answer: Anterior cruciate
Correct 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 18
Correct
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Which of the following veins is prostate cancer most likely to metastasize through?
Your Answer: Internal vertebral venous plexus
Explanation:The internal vertebral veins are the most likely route of metastasis as they are valveless. They serve an important clinical role as they are the route of free travel for cancerous cells to other body structures. The other veins on the list have valves and would be the least likely routes for metastasis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Neurology
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Question 19
Incorrect
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The muscle which has an antagonistic action to the serratus anterior muscle and is one of the retractors of the scapula is the?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Rhomboid major
Explanation:Protraction is accomplished by the actions of the serratus anterior, pectoralis major, and pectoralis minor muscles. Retraction is accomplished by the actions of the trapezius, rhomboids, and latissimus dorsi muscles.
The rhomboid major arises from the second, third, fourth and fifth thoracic vertebrae. It is inserted into a narrow tendinous arch attached to the root of the spine of the scapula and the inferior angle. By its insertion in the inferior angle of the scapula, it acts on this angle and produces a slight rotation of the scapula on the side of the chest. It also retracts the scapula by working with the trapezius muscle.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
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Question 20
Incorrect
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The following branch of the aorta is unpaired:
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Coeliac artery
Explanation:Branches that stem from the abdominal aorta can be divided into three: the visceral branches, parietal branches and terminal branches. Of the visceral branches, the suprarenal, renal, testicular and ovarian arteries are paired while the coeliac artery and superior and inferior mesenteric arteries are unpaired. Of the parietal branches the inferior phrenic and lumbar arteries are paired while the middle sacral artery is unpaired. The terminal branches i.e. the common iliac arteries are paired.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 21
Incorrect
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Which is the correct statement regarding gonadal venous drainage:
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: The left ovarian vein drains into the left renal vein
Explanation:Spermatic or testicular veins arise from the posterior aspect of the testis and receive tributaries from the epididymis. Upon uniting, they form the pampiniform plexus that makes up the greater mass of the spermatic cord. The vessels that make up this plexus rise up the spermatic cord in front of the ductus deferens. They then unite, below the superficial ring, to form three or four veins that traverse the inguinal canal and enter the abdomen through the deep inguinal ring. They further unite to form 2 veins that ascend up the psoas major muscle behind the peritoneum each lying on either side of the testicular artery. These further unite to form one vein that empties on the right side of the inferior vena cava at an acute angle and on the left side into the renal vein, at a right angle. The left testicular vein courses behind the iliac colon and is thus exposed to pressure from the contents of this part of the bowel. The ovarian vein is the equivalent of the testicular vein in women. They form a plexus in the broad ligament near the ovary and uterine tube and communicate with the uterine plexus. They drain into similar vessels as in a man.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 22
Incorrect
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During a laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, the surgeon finds an artery in the extraperitoneal connective tissue (preperitoneal fat) that courses vertically and just medial to the bowel as the bowel passes through the abdominal wall. Which artery is this?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Inferior epigastric
Explanation:The inferior epigastric artery comes from the external iliac artery just above the inguinal ligament to curve forward in the subperitoneal tissue and then ascend obliquely along the medial margin of the deep inguinal ring. It continues to ascend between the rectus abdominis and the posterior lamella of its sheath after piercing the fascia transversalis and passing anterior to the linea semicircularis. Finally it gives off numerous branches that anastomose above the umbilicus with the superior epigastric branch of the internal mammary artery and with the lower intercostal arteries. As this artery ascends obliquely upwards from its origin it lies along the lower medial margins of the deep inguinal ring and posterior to the start of the spermatic cord. It is found in the preperitoneal fat of the abdomen lying just superficial to the peritoneum and forms the lateral umbilical fold. Hernias that pass lateral to this are indirect and medial to this, direct hernias.
The deep circumflex artery travels along the iliac crest on the inner surface of the abdominal wall. It is very lateral to the abdominal wall and hernias would pass medial to it.
The superficial circumflex iliac, superficial epigastric, superficial external pudendal arteries are all superficial arteries found in the superficial fascia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 23
Incorrect
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The primary area involved in the pathology of Parkinson's disease is:
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Substantia nigra
Explanation:Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative, movement disorder of the central nervous system, and is typically characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor and bradykinesia (in extreme cases, akinesia). Secondary symptoms include high-level cognitive dysfunction and subtle language problems.
Parkinson’s disease is also called ‘primary Parkinsonism’ or ‘idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and is the most common cause of Parkinsonism, a group of similar symptoms. The disorder is caused due to loss of pigmented dopaminergic cells in the pars compacta region of the substantia nigra.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Physiology
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Question 24
Incorrect
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A 35 year-old woman is undergoing thyroidectomy. The external laryngeal nerve may be injured whilst ligating this artery during the procedure due to its close relationship?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Superior thyroid artery
Explanation:The superior thyroid artery arises from the external carotid artery just below the level of the greater cornu of the hyoid bone and ends in the thyroid gland. This artery must be ligated at the thyroid when conducting a thyroidectomy. If the artery is severed, but not ligated, it will bleed profusely. In order to gain control of the bleeding, the surgeon may need to extend the original incision laterally to ligate the artery at its origin at the external carotid artery. The external laryngeal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve courses in close proximity to the superior thyroid artery, making it at risk for injury during surgery.
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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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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:
Correct 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 26
Incorrect
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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:
Correct 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 27
Incorrect
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At which cervical level does the common carotid artery bifurcate into the internal and external carotid arteries?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: C4
Explanation:The common carotid arteries are present on the left and right sides of the body. These arteries originate from different sources, but follow symmetrical courses. The right common carotid originates in the neck from the brachiocephalic trunk; the left from the aortic arch in the thorax. These split into the external and internal carotid arteries at the upper border of the thyroid cartilage, at around the level of the fourth cervical vertebra.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 28
Incorrect
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What Is the mechanism behind rhesus incompatibility in a new born baby?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Type II hypersensitivity
Explanation:In type II hypersensitivity the antibodies that are produced by the immune response bind to the patients own cell surface antigens. These antigens can be intrinsic or extrinsic. Destruction occurs due to antibody dependent cell mediated antibodies. Antibodies bind to the cell and opsonise the cell, activating phagocytes to destroy that cell e.g. autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, Goodpasture syndrome, erythroblastosis fetalis, pernicious anaemia, Graves’ disease, Myasthenia gravis and haemolytic disease of the new-born.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Inflammation & Immunology; Haematology
- Pathology
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Question 29
Incorrect
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What is the normal duration of PR interval on an electrocardiogram of a healthy individual?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: 0.12–0.20 s
Explanation:PR interval extends from the beginning of the P-wave until the beginning of the QRS complex. The normal duration of the PR interval is 0.12-0.20 s. It can be prolonged in first degree heart block, and reduced in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Physiology
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Question 30
Incorrect
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A 20 year old is brought to the A&E after he fell from a moving cart. The boy has sustained blunt abdominal injury, and the there is a possibility of internal bleeding as the boy is in shock. An urgent exploratory laparotomy is done in the A&E theatre. On opening the peritoneal cavity, the operating surgeon notices a torn gastrosplenic ligament with a large clot around the spleen. Which artery is most likely to have been injured in this case?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Short gastric
Explanation:The short gastric arteries branch from the splenic artery near the splenic hilum to travel back in the gastrosplenic ligament to supply the fundus of the stomach. Therefore, these may be injured in this case.
The splenic artery courses deep to the stomach to reach the hilum of the spleen. It doesn’t travel in the gastrosplenic ligament although it does give off branches that do.
The middle colic artery is a branch of the superior mesenteric artery that supplies the transverse colon.
Gastroepiploic artery is the largest branch of the splenic artery that courses between the layers of the greater omentum to anastomose with the right gastroepiploic.
Left gastric artery, a branch of the coeliac trunk. It supplies the left half of the lesser curvature.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
