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Question 1
Correct
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The superior pancreaticoduodenal artery, the artery that supplies blood to the pancreas and the duodenum, is a branch of the:
Your Answer: Gastroduodenal artery
Explanation:The superior pancreaticoduodenal artery together with the right gastroepiploic artery form the two branches of the gastroduodenal artery which divides at the lower border of the duodenum.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 2
Correct
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Multiple cells were labelled using a fluorescent dye that doesn’t cross the cell membrane. One cell in the middle was bleached with a light that destroys the dye, but the cell soon recovers its stain. The presence of which structures best explains this?
Your Answer: Gap junctions
Explanation:Gap junctions are attachments between cells that permit intercellular communication e.g. they permit current flow and electrical coupling between myocardial cells. They allow direct electrical transmission among cells and also permit certain substance to pass through as well. They are either homotypic, formed by two identical hemichannels or heterotypic, formed by different hemichannels.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 3
Correct
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If a catheter is placed in the main pulmonary artery of a healthy 30-year-old woman, which of the following will be its mean pulmonary arterial pressure?
Your Answer: 15 mmHg
Explanation:The pulmonary artery pressure (PA pressure) is a measure of the blood pressure found in the main pulmonary artery. The hydrostatic pressure of the pulmonary circulation refers to the actual pressure inside pulmonary vessels relative to atmospheric pressure. Hydrostatic (blood pressure) in the pulmonary vascular bed is low compared with that of similar systemic vessels. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure is about 15 mmHg (ranging from about 13 to 19 mmHg) and is much lower than the average systemic arterial pressure of 90 mmHg.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
- Respiratory
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Question 4
Incorrect
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Which best describes the suprascapular nerve?
Your Answer: It branches from the middle trunk of the brachial plexus
Correct Answer: It contains nerve fibres from C5 and C6 spinal cord segments
Explanation:The suprascapular nerve arises from the cervical spinal nerves 5 and 6 after coming together to form common trunk. This nerve supplies the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles giving off branches to the shoulder joint.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
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Question 5
Incorrect
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In which situation is a stretch reflex such as knee jerk likely to be exaggerated?
Your Answer: After cerebellar hemisphere damage
Correct Answer: In upper motor neuron lesion
Explanation:A stretch reflex is a monosynaptic reflex that causes muscle contraction in response to stretching within that muscle. The sensory apparatus in a muscle that are sensitive to stretch are the muscle spindles. The patellar (knee jerk) reflex is an example. In upper motor neuron lesions, the stretch reflexes tend to be brisk due to loss of inhibitory signals on gamma neurons through the lateral reticulospinal tract.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Physiology
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Question 6
Correct
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During a laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon visualizes the medical umbilical folds on the deep surface of the anterior abdominal wall. What causes the medial umbilical folds?
Your Answer: Obliterated umbilical arteries
Explanation:The medial umbilical ligament is a structure found on the deep surface of the anterior abdominal wall and is covered by the medial umbilical folds. It is a paired structure that represents the remnants of the fetal umbilical artery. They have no role in humans after birth other than to be used as a landmark for exploring the medial inguinal fossa during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 7
Correct
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An abdominal aortogram shows occlusion of the inferior mesenteric artery. Which of the following segments of bowel is most likely to have preserved arterial supply?
Your Answer: Caecum
Explanation:The inferior mesenteric artery supplies blood to the end of the transverse colon and all distal structures in the gastrointestinal tract i.e. splenic flexure, descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum would all be deprived of blood if it were occluded. The caecum receives blood from the superior mesenteric artery so it would not be affected.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 8
Correct
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If the blood flow is constant, oxygen extraction by tissues will show the greatest decrease due to which of the following interventions?
Your Answer: Tissue cooling
Explanation:With a constant blood flow to a given tissue bed, there will be an increase in oxygen extraction by the tissue with the following; an increase in tissue metabolism and oxygen requirements: warming (or fever), exercise, catecholamines and thyroxine. With cooling, the demand for oxygen decreases, leading to decreased oxygen extraction.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Physiology
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Question 9
Incorrect
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After finding elevated PSA levels, a 69-year-old man undergoes a needle biopsy and is diagnosed with prostatic cancer. What is the stage of this primary tumour?
Your Answer: T2a
Correct Answer: T1c
Explanation:The AJCC uses a TNM system to stage prostatic cancer, with categories for the primary tumour, regional lymph nodes and distant metastases:
TX: cannot evaluate the primary tumour T0: no evidence of tumour
T1: tumour present, but not detectable clinically or with imaging T1a: tumour was incidentally found in less than 5% of prostate tissue resected (for other reasons)
T1b: tumour was incidentally found in more than 5% of prostate tissue resected
T1c: tumour was found in a needle biopsy performed due to an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen
T2: the tumour can be felt (palpated) on examination, but has not spread outside the prostate
T2a: the tumour is in half or less than half of one of the prostate gland’s two lobes
T2b: the tumour is in more than half of one lobe, but not both
T2c: the tumour is in both lobes
T3: the tumour has spread through the prostatic capsule (if it is only part-way through, it is still T2)
T3a: the tumour has spread through the capsule on one or both sides
T3b: the tumour has invaded one or both seminal vesicles
T4: the tumour has invaded other nearby structures.
In this case, the tumour has a T1c stage.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Urology
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Question 10
Correct
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Diffusion is the movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration. Which of these changes will decrease the rate of diffusion of a substance?
Your Answer: An increase in the molecular weight of the substance
Explanation:Unless given IV, a drug must cross several semipermeable cell membranes before it reaches the systemic circulation. Drugs may cross cell membranes by diffusion, amongst other mechanisms. The rate of diffusion of a substance is proportional to the difference in the concentration of the diffusing substance between the two sides of the membrane, the temperature of the solution, the permeability of the membrane and, in the case of ions, the electrical potential difference between the two sides of the membrane.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Physiology
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Question 11
Incorrect
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Leakage from a silicone breast implant can lead to:
Your Answer: Fibrocystic disease
Correct Answer: Pain and contracture
Explanation:Breast implants are mainly: saline-filled and silicone gel-filled. Complications include haematoma, fluid collections, infection at the surgical site, pain, wrinkling, asymmetric appearance, wound dehiscence and thinning of the breast tissue.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Women's Health
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Question 12
Incorrect
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A 46-year old lady presents with chief complaints of a large mass in the left breast. Histopathology of the mass revealed a stromal component with an epithelial component. What is the likely lesion?
Your Answer: Fibroadenoma
Correct Answer: Phyllodes tumour
Explanation:Phyllodes tumours are large, quickly growing tumours which arise from the periductal stroma of the breast. These are fibroepithelial tumours and account for less than 1% of breast cancers. These tumours can be benign, borderline or malignant based on the histology. The tumour usually affects adult women, mostly between the age of 40 to 50 years. It can be confused with fibroadenoma, which however affects much younger patients.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Women's Health
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Question 13
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 14
Correct
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Streptokinase is used to break down clots in some cases of myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and arterial thromboembolism; however, it is not recommended to use it again after 4 days from the first administration. Which complication could arise from repeated use?
Your Answer: Allergic reaction
Explanation:Streptokinase belongs to a group of medications known as ‘fibrinolytics’ and is an extracellular metallo-enzyme produced by beta-haemolytic streptococci, used as an effective clot-dissolving medication in patients with myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. As Streptokinase is a bacterial product, the body has the ability to build up an immunity to it. Therefore, it is recommended that this medication should not be used again after four days from the first administration, as it may not be as effective and may also cause an allergic reaction.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
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Question 15
Correct
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Which of the following arteries, that runs on the superior aspect of the first part of the duodenum, forms the lower boundary of the epiploic foramen (also known as the foramen of Winslow)?
Your Answer: Hepatic
Explanation:The epiploic foramen is an important anatomical opening that allows for the communication between the greater peritoneal sac and the lesser peritoneal sac. Its boundaries are formed; superiorly by the caudate lobe of the liver, anteriorly by the hepatoduodenal ligament (containing the components of the portal triad), inferiorly by the first part of the duodenum and posteriorly by the peritoneum covering the inferior vena cava. The superior aspect of the first part of the duodenum, which forms the inferior boundary of the foramen of Winslow, forms the course of the hepatic artery before it ascends to the porta hepatis where it divides into its right and left branches.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 16
Incorrect
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A 60-year old patient having a history of cholelithiasis that led to recurrent pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting, was scheduled for surgery to have the gallbladder removed. During the cholecystectomy, the registrar conducting the procedure accidentally punctured a blood vessel that lies immediately posterior to the omental foramen and blood filled the operating field. Which of the following blood vessels was likely punctured?
Your Answer: Portal vein
Correct Answer: Inferior vena cava
Explanation:The omental foramen is the pathway that connects the greater peritoneal sac and the lesser peritoneal sac. The omental foramen is bordered posteriorly by the inferior vena cava. This is the blood vessel that would most likely be punctured.
The aorta and its branch, the renal artery, lie postero-lateral to the omental foramen and are deeper than the inferior vena cava hence making them less likely to be injured.
The hepatic portal vein, the hepatic artery and the superior mesenteric vein borders the omental foramen anteriorly and would not be injured by a jab on the posterior border of the omental foramen.
Finally, the splenic artery is found in the splenorenal ligament that borders the omental foramen laterally to the left.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 17
Correct
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What is the linea aspera:
Your Answer: Serves as an attachment for adductors of the thigh
Explanation:The linea aspera is a prominent longitudinal ridge or crest on the middle third of the femur. It has a medial and a lateral lip and a narrow, rough, intermediate line. The vastus medialis arises from the medial lip of the linea aspera and has superior and inferior prolongations. The vastus lateralis takes origin from the lateral lip . The adductor magnus is inserted into the linea aspera. Two muscles are attached between the vastus lateralis and the adductor magnus: the gluteus maximus is inserted above and the short head of the biceps femoris arises below. Four muscles are inserted between the adductor magnus and the vastus medialis: the iliacus and pectineus superiorly, and the adductor brevis and adductor longus inferiorly.
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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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A 58-year-old woman has had a headache, fever, lethargy and nausea for the last 10 days. He undergoes a CT scan which reveals a lesion in his frontal lobe, which, after a biopsy, is found to be formed by granulation tissue with collagenisation, gliosis and oedema. What's the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Chronic brain abscess
Explanation:A cerebral abscess can result from direct extension of cranial infections, penetrating head trauma, haematogenous spread, or for unknown causes. An abscess forms when an area of cerebral inflammation becomes necrotic and encapsulated by glial cells and fibroblasts. Oedema around the abscess can increase the intracranial pressure. Symptoms result from increased intracranial pressure and mass effects. In a CT scan, an abscess appears as an oedematous mass with ring enhancement.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Pathology
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Question 19
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 20
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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