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Question 1
Incorrect
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A patient with a long standing lower motor neuron lesion will have:
Your Answer: Spasticity
Correct Answer: Muscle wasting
Explanation:Lower motor neurons (LMNs) connect the brainstem and spinal cord to muscle fibres. Damage to lower motor neurons is indicated by abnormal electromyographic potentials, fasciculations, paralysis, weakening and wasting of skeletal muscles.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Physiology
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Question 2
Incorrect
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The middle meningeal artery is the largest among the arteries that supplies that dura mater of the brain. The middle meningeal artery is a branch of the?
Your Answer: Internal carotid artery
Correct Answer: Maxillary artery
Explanation:The middle meningeal artery is the largest of the three (paired) arteries that supply the meninges.
The middle meningeal artery is a large arterial branch of the maxillary artery which is a terminal branch of the external carotid artery. Upon originating, the middle meningeal artery passes through the foramen spinosum. In the skull, it courses in the middle cranial fossa where it provides several branches.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 3
Correct
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A 40-year-old woman is suspected to have an ovarian cancer. Which tumour marker should be requested to confirm the diagnosis?
Your Answer: CA-125
Explanation:CA-125 is a protein that is used as a tumour marker. This substance is found in high concentration in patients with ovarian cancer. It is the only tumour marker recommended for clinical use in the diagnosis and management of ovarian cancer.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neoplasia
- Pathology
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Question 4
Correct
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A 34-year-old man is receiving chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Which of the following chemotherapy regimens would be used in this case?
Your Answer: CHOP
Explanation:CHOP is the acronym for a chemotherapy regimen used in the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, comprising cyclophosphamide, hydroxyrubicin (adriamycin), vincristine and prednisone. This regimen can also be combined with the monoclonal antibody rituximab if the lymphoma is of B cell origin; this combination is called R-CHOP.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
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Question 5
Incorrect
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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: Renal artery stenosis
Correct 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 6
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 7
Incorrect
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A 70-year-old male who has smoked since his teens complains of progressive shortness of breath and a persistent cough. He is diagnosed with COPD. Which of the following abnormalities is most likely to be present in his pulmonary function tests?
Your Answer: Decreased residual volume
Correct Answer: Increased residual volume
Explanation:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of obstructive lung disease characterized by long-term poor airflow. The main symptoms include shortness of breath and cough with sputum production. The best diagnostic test for evaluating patients with suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is lung function measured with spirometry. Key spirometrical measures may be obtained with a portable office spirometer and should include forced vital capacity (FVC) and the normal forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV1). The ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) normally exceeds 0.75. Patients with COPD typically present with obstructive airflow. Complete pulmonary function testing may show increased total lung capacity, functional residual capacity and residual volume. A substantial loss of lung surface area available for effective oxygen exchange causes diminished carbon monoxide diffusion in the lung (DLco) in patients with emphysema. Tobacco smoking is the most common cause of COPD, with factors such as air pollution and genetics playing a smaller role.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
- Respiratory
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Question 8
Correct
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Which muscle is most likely to be affected following an injury to the thoracodorsal nerve (C6-C8)?
Your Answer: Latissimus dorsi
Explanation:Latissimus dorsi is a triangular, flat muscle that covers the lumbar region and the lower half of the thoracic region. It is supplied by the sixth, seventh and eighth cervical nerves through the thoracodorsal (long subscapular) nerve.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Thorax
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Question 9
Correct
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Renal function is an indication of the state of the kidney, measured by glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In a healthy person, GFR would be greatly increased by:Â
Your Answer: Substantial increases in renal blood flow
Explanation:An increase in the rate of renal blood flow (RBF) greatly increases the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The more plasma available (from increased RBF), the more filtrate is formed. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the volume of fluid filtered from the renal (kidney) glomerular capillaries into the Bowman’s capsule per unit time. Central to the physiologic maintenance of GFR is the differential basal tone of the afferent and efferent arterioles.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
- Renal
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Question 10
Incorrect
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A butcher accidentally cut himself on his right index finger. Which of the following substances when in contact with the basement membrane of the injured vasculature will activate the coagulation cascade as well as the kinin system in a first response to this injury?
Your Answer: Platelet activating factor
Correct Answer: Hageman factor
Explanation:Hageman factor/factor XII in the intrinsic pathway activates prekallikrein and factor XI. Deficiency will not cause excessive bleeding as other coagulation factors will be utilized but the PTT will be greater than 200 seconds.
Thromboxane promotes platelet aggregation and causes vasoconstriction.
Plasmin, which is cleaved from plasminogen acts as an anticoagulant which breaks down thrombi.
Platelet activating factor promotes platelet aggregation and is also chemotactic to neutrophils.
Histamine acts as a vasodilator.
Platelet inhibiting factor acts an anticoagulant.
Renin is a hormone released from the kidney that causes vasoconstriction and water retention.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Injury & Wound Healing
- Pathology
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Question 11
Correct
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Injury to which of the following arteries is likely to affect the blood supply to the seminal vesicles?
Your Answer: Middle rectal
Explanation:Ligation of middle rectal artery is most likely to affect the blood supply of seminal vesicles since arteries supplying the seminal vesicles are derived from the middle and inferior vesical and middle rectal arteries.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Pelvis
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Question 12
Correct
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When at rest, which of the following will be higher in a marathon runner compared to an untrained individual?
Your Answer: Cardiac stroke volume
Explanation:Cardiac muscle hypertrophy is seen in trained athletes as compared to the normal population. This hypertrophy results in higher stroke volume at rest and increased cardiac reserve (maximum cardiac output during exercise). However, the cardiac output at rest is almost the same in both trained and untrained people. This is because in trained athletes, the heart rate is slower, even up to 40-50 beats/min. There is minimal affect of athletic training on oxygen consumption and respiratory rate.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Physiology
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Question 13
Incorrect
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QT interval in the electrocardiogram of a healthy individual is normally:
Your Answer: 0.20 s
Correct Answer: 0.40 s
Explanation:QT interval extends from beginning of the QRS complex till the end of he T-wave and normally lasts for 0.40 s. It is important in the diagnosis of long-QT and short-QT syndrome. The QT interval varies on the basis of heart rate and may need to be corrected.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Physiology
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Question 14
Correct
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What is formed when the ductus deferens unites with the duct of the seminal vesicle?
Your Answer: Ejaculatory duct
Explanation:The deferens is a cylindrical structure​ with dense walls and an extremely small lumen It is joined at an acute angle by the duct of the seminal vesicles to form the ejaculatory duct, which traverses the prostate behind it’s middle lobe and opens into the prostatic portion of the urethra, close to the orifice of the prostatic utricle.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Pelvis
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Question 15
Correct
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Which of the following will be affected by a lesion in the posterior column-medial lemniscus system?
Your Answer: Fine touch
Explanation:The posterior column–medial lemniscus (PCML) pathway is a sensory pathway that transmits fine touch and conscious proprioceptive information from the body to the brain. As the posterior columns are also known as dorsal columns, the pathway is also called the dorsal column–medial lemniscus system or DCML.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Physiology
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Question 16
Correct
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A 60-year-old woman complains of left sided headaches which have been recurring for several years. She recently suffered from a focal seizure for the first time a few days ago. A CT scan shows a mass in the left hemisphere of the brain. The most likely diagnosis is:
Your Answer: Meningioma
Explanation:Meningiomas are a common benign intracranial tumour, and their incidence is higher in women between the ages of 40-60 years old. Many of these tumours are asymptomatic and are diagnosed incidentally, although some of them may have malignant presentations (less than 2% of cases). These benign tumours can develop wherever there is dura, over the convexities near the venous sinuses, along the base of the skull, in the posterior fossa and, within the ventricles.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Pathology
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Question 17
Incorrect
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Regarding the long head of the biceps femoris, which of the following is correct?
Your Answer: It shares innervation with the gracilis muscle
Correct Answer: It crosses two joints
Explanation:The long head of the biceps femoris arises from the lower and inner impression on the back of the tuberosity of the ischium. It inserts with the short head in an aponeurosis which becomes a tendon and this tendon is inserted into the lateral side of the head of the fibula and the lateral condyle of the tibia, thus crossing two joints.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
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Question 18
Incorrect
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An excised lesion is found to be a premalignant during examination by the pathologist. What is the most likely histopathology report of this lesion?
Your Answer: Skin tags
Correct Answer: Solar keratosis
Explanation:Premalignant condition is a state of disordered morphology of cells that is associated with an increased risk of cancer. If this condition is left untreated, it may lead to the development of cancer. The following are examples of pre-malignant lesions: actinic keratosis, Barret’s oesophagitis, atrophic gastritis, ductal carcinoma in situ, dyskeratosis congenita, sideropenic dysphagia, lichen planus, oral submucous fibrosis, solar elastosis, cervical dysplasia, leucoplakia and erythroplakia.
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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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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 20
Incorrect
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The renal tubule is the portion of the nephron that contains the fluid that has been filtered by the glomerulus. Which of the following substances is actively secreted into the renal tubules?
Your Answer: Chloride
Correct Answer: Potassium
Explanation:The renal corpuscle filters out solutes from the blood, delivering water and small solutes to the renal tubule for modification. In normal circumstances more than 90% of the filtered load of K is reabsorbed by the proximal tubules and loops of Henlé and almost all K appearing in the urine has been secreted by the late distal tubules and collecting tubules. So the rate of excretion is usually independent of the rate of filtration, but is closely tied to the rate of secretion and control of K excretion, largely accomplished by control of the secretion rate. Around 65–70% of the filtered potassium is reabsorbed along with water in the proximal tubule and the concentration of potassium in the tubular fluid varies little from that of the plasma.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Physiology
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Question 21
Correct
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A 70-year-old female who underwent coronary artery bypass graft developed post-operative acute renal failure. Her urinary catheter was left in place to monitor urine output. 6 days later she developed fever and chills. She also complained of suprapubic and left flank pain. She is found to have developed acute ascending pyelonephritis. Which of the following organism was most likely isolated during urine culture?
Your Answer: Escherichia coli with pili
Explanation:The most common cause of urinary tract infection is Escherichia coli. Pilated strains of E. coli ascend the urethra to infect the kidney and the bladder. Catheters have been associated with an increased risk of UTIs.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
- Pathology
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Question 22
Correct
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A 54 year old man fell off his bicycle. He felt a severe pain in his hand and wasn't able to move it. It was found that a carpal bone in the distal row was fractured. Which is the most likely bone?
Your Answer: Trapezium
Explanation:There are eight carpal bones which are arranged in two rows, proximal and distal; scaphoid, lunate, triquetral and pisiform are of proximal row. Trapezium, trapezoid, capitate and hamate are of the distal row.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
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Question 23
Incorrect
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Which of the following foramen provides passage of the facial nerve?
Your Answer: Foramen magnum
Correct 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 24
Correct
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A 25 year old women is pregnant with her second child. She is A- blood group. Her first child was Rh+ and the father is also Rh+. The second child is at a risk of developing which condition?
Your Answer: Haemolytic disease of the new-born
Explanation:This infant is at risk for haemolytic disease of the new born also known as erythroblastosis fetalis. In the pregnancy, Rh-positive RBC’s cross the placenta and enter the mothers blood system. She then becomes sensitised and forms IgG antibodies/anti-Rh antibodies against them. The second child is at a greater risk for this disease than the first child with Rh-positive blood group as during the second pregnancy, a more powerful response is produced. IgG has the ability to cross the placenta and bind to the fetal RBCs (type II hypersensitivity reaction) which are phagocytosed by the macrophages.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Inflammation & Immunology; Haematology
- Pathology
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Question 25
Correct
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A 29-year-old pregnant woman develops severe hypoxaemia with petechial rash and confusion following a fracture to her left femur. Which is the most probable cause of these symptoms in this patient?
Your Answer: Fat embolism
Explanation:Fat embolism is a life-threatening form of embolism in which the embolus consists of fatty material or bone marrow particles that are introduced into the systemic venous system. It may be caused by long-bone fractures, orthopaedic procedures, sickle cell crisis, parenteral lipid infusion, burns and acute pancreatitis. Patients with fat embolism usually present with symptoms that include skin, brain, and lung dysfunction.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Pathology
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Question 26
Correct
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Which organs amongst these are the derivatives of the endoderm?
Your Answer: Epithelial part of the tympanic cavity
Explanation:Endoderm derivatives include the epithelium of the following: gastrointestinal tract and its glands, glandular cells of the liver and pancreases, urachus and urinary bladder, pharynx, trachea and alveoli, part of the tonsils, thyroid and parathyroid, tympanic cavity and thymus and part of the anterior pituitary gland.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Embryology
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Question 27
Incorrect
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Which of the following arteries, if ligated, will most likely affect blood supply to the pancreas?
Your Answer: Common hepatic
Correct Answer: Superior mesenteric
Explanation:The pancreas is a glandular organ in the body that produces important hormones such as insulin and glucagon. Its blood supply is from branches of the coeliac artery, superior mesenteric artery and the splenic artery. These are the arteries that if ligated, would affect blood supply to the pancreas.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 28
Incorrect
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What is the name of the cutaneous branch of the posterior primary ramus of C2?
Your Answer: Great auricular nerve
Correct Answer: Greater occipital nerve
Explanation:The dorsal primary ramus of the spinal nerve C2 is the greater occipital nerve which provides cutaneous innervation to the skin of the back of the head. The ventral primary ramus gives off the great auricular nerve, the lesser occipital nerve and the ansa cervicalis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 29
Correct
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During an operation for a sigmoid colectomy the surgeon ligates the sigmoid arteries. From which artery do the sigmoid arteries branch?
Your Answer: Inferior mesenteric artery
Explanation:Sigmoid arteries are branches of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA). Sigmoid artery gives off branches that supply the lower descending colon, the iliac colon and the sigmoid colon.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 30
Incorrect
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The transmembrane proteins responsible for resting membrane potential of vascular smooth muscle cells was blocked by a drug. Which of the following transmembrane proteins were blocked by this drug?
Your Answer: Na+/K+ pump
Correct Answer: K+ channels
Explanation:The resting membrane potential is due to selective permeability of the membrane to potassium ions. The Na/K pump is responsible for the generation of a gradient across the membrane and it is due to the inherent ability of the K channels to allow diffusion back into the nerve at rest which charges the cells. In reality, the resting membrane potential is more positive because of small contributions by Na+ channels, Cl− channels and non-selective cation channels.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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