INI-CET 2026 - Anatomy PYQs Practice Questions

Q: In the diagram of the abdominal wall musculature, the muscle labelled 'X' and the structure formed by its aponeurosis are best identified as:

External oblique - Inguinal ligament. ***External oblique - Inguinal ligament*** - The **external oblique** muscle aponeurosis folds back on itself inferiorly between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic tubercle. This thickened inferior margin forms the **inguinal ligament**. - This structure serves as the floor of the **inguinal canal** and acts as an attachment point for other abdominal wall muscles and fasciae. *Internal oblique - Conjoint tendon* - The **internal oblique** muscle contributes fibers to the formation of the **conjoint tendon** (falx inguinalis), but this occurs at the medial aspect, not the inguinal ligament. - It arises from the middle of the iliac crest and does not provide the primary structural basis for the **inguinal ligament**. *Transversus abdominis - Conjoint tendon* - The **transversus abdominis** muscle is the deepest of the three flat abdominal muscles and joins with the internal oblique to form the **conjoint tendon**. - It plays a critical role in stabilizing the posterior wall of the **inguinal canal**, rather than forming the floor ligamentous structures. *Rectus abdominis - Linea alba* - The **rectus abdominis** is a paired muscle running vertically along the anterior abdomen, enclosed within the **rectus sheath**. - Its medial borders meet to form the **linea alba**, a fibrous midline raphe, which is functionally and anatomically distinct from the inguinal region. [Practice more Anatomy PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: In the labelled diagram of laryngeal intrinsic muscles, which labelled muscle is solely responsible for abduction of the vocal cords?

Muscle labelled 'a' (Posterior cricoarytenoid). ***Muscle labelled 'a' (Posterior cricoarytenoid)*** - The **Posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA)** muscles are the only intrinsic muscles of the larynx capable of **abducting the vocal cords**. - By rotating the arytenoid cartilages laterally, they open the **rima glottidis**, which is essential for respiration. *Muscle labelled 'b'* - Typically corresponds to the **Lateral cricoarytenoid**, which is the primary **adductor** of the vocal cords rather than an abductor. - It functions to close the glottis by rotating the arytenoid cartilages medially. *Muscle labelled 'c'* - Usually represents the **Interarytenoid (Transverse/Oblique)** muscles, which also act as **adductors**. - These muscles bring the arytenoid cartilages together to close the posterior portion of the glottis. *Muscle labelled 'd'* - Often refers to the **Thyroarytenoid** or **Cricothyroid** muscle, neither of which functions as an abductor. - The **Thyroarytenoid** acts to relax the vocal cords, while the **Cricothyroid** acts to tense and lengthen them. [Practice more Anatomy PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Which muscle, as shown in the diagram, attaches to the cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube and also blends with the soft palate?

Levator veli palatini. ***Levator veli palatini*** - This muscle arises from the inferior surface of the **petrous part of the temporal bone** and the **cartilaginous part of the auditory (Eustachian) tube**. - It descends to the **soft palate**, where its fibers blend with those of the opposite side, playing a key role in velopharyngeal closure. *Stylopharyngeus* - This muscle arises from the root of the **styloid process** of the temporal bone, not the auditory tube. - It inserts into the **pharyngeal wall** and is innervated by the **glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)**, acting primarily to elevate the larynx and pharynx. *Tensor veli palatini* - Although this muscle attaches to the auditory tube, it originates from the **scaphoid fossa** and the **medial pterygoid plate**. - Its function is to **tense the soft palate** and open the auditory tube during swallowing, distinct from the levator's primary function of elevation. *Palatopharyngeus* - This is a long, slender muscle that forms the posterior pillar of the **faucial isthmus**. - It arises from the **hard palate** and palatine aponeurosis and inserts into the thyroid cartilage and pharyngeal wall, rather than attaching to the Eustachian tube cartilages. [Practice more Anatomy PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Match each of the following organs with its correct embryological tissue of origin: Organ Embryological Origin A. Thyroid gland 1. Neural crest cells B. Adrenal medulla 2. Intermediate mesoderm C. Kidney 3. Endoderm

A-3, B-1, C-2. ***A-3, B-1, C-2*** - The **thyroid gland** originates from the proliferation of **endodermal** cells at the floor of the pharynx, specifically the foramen cecum. - The **adrenal medulla** is derived from **neural crest cells**, which migrate to the developing adrenal cortex, while the **kidney** (specifically the nephrogenic cord) arises from **intermediate mesoderm**. *A-1, B-3, C-2* - This option incorrectly labels the thyroid gland as being derived from neural crest cells; however, the thyroid is strictly endodermal in origin. - It also misidentifies the adrenal medulla as endodermal, ignoring its neuroectodermal origin. *A-2, B-1, C-3* - This incorrectly assigns the origin of the thyroid gland to the intermediate mesoderm, which is primarily responsible for the urogenital system. - It also incorrectly assigns the kidney to endodermal tissue, rather than the mesoderm. *A-1, B-2, C-3* - This incorrectly suggests the thyroid has a neural crest origin, which is inaccurate for this glandular tissue. - It wrongly attributes the adrenal medulla to intermediate mesoderm and the kidney to endoderm, switching their correct germ layer origins. [Practice more Anatomy PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Match each of the following gastrointestinal organs with its distinctive histological feature: Organ Histological Feature 1. Ileum a. Taenia coli 2. Transverse colon b. Villi 3. Esophagus c. Peyer's patches 4. Duodenum d. Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b. ***1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b*** - The **ileum** is histologically distinguished by the presence of **Peyer's patches**, which are large aggregates of lymphoid tissue commonly found in the lamina propria and submucosa. - The **transverse colon** features **taeniae coli**, which are three distinct longitudinal bands of smooth muscle that run along the length of the large intestine. - The **esophagus** is lined by a **non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium**, which provides protection against mechanical abrasion from food boluses. - The **duodenum** is characterized by the presence of prominent **villi** for nutrient absorption and **Brunner's glands** in the submucosa. *1-a, 2-c, 3-d, 4-b* - Incorrect because the **ileum** contains Peyer's patches (c), not taeniae coli (a). - Incorrect because the **transverse colon** contains taeniae coli (a), not Peyer's patches (c). *1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d* - Incorrect because the **transverse colon** does not possess villi (b), as villi are a characteristic feature of the small intestine for nutrient absorption. - Incorrect because the **esophagus** does not contain taeniae coli (a), as taeniae coli are restricted to the large intestine. *1-d, 2-a, 3-c, 4-b* - Incorrect because the **ileum** is not lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium (d); that is a feature of the esophagus. - Incorrect because the **esophagus** does not contain Peyer's patches (c), which are specific to the distal small bowel. [Practice more Anatomy PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

In the diagram of the abdominal wall musculature, the muscle labelled 'X' and the structure
formed by its aponeurosis are best identified as:

Accepted Answer

External oblique - Inguinal ligament

Answer

Internal oblique - Conjoint tendon

Answer

Transversus abdominis - Conjoint tendon

Answer

Rectus abdominis - Linea alba

Question 2

In the labelled diagram of laryngeal intrinsic muscles,
which labelled muscle is solely responsible for abduction of
the vocal cords?

Accepted Answer

Muscle labelled 'a' (Posterior cricoarytenoid)

Answer

Muscle labelled 'b'

Answer

Muscle labelled 'c'

Answer

Muscle labelled 'd'

Question 3

Which muscle, as shown in the diagram, attaches to the cartilaginous portion of
the Eustachian tube and also blends with the soft palate?

Accepted Answer

Levator veli palatini

Answer

Stylopharyngeus

Answer

Tensor veli palatini

Answer

Palatopharyngeus

Question 4

Match each of the following organs with its correct embryological tissue of
origin:

Organ Embryological Origin

A. Thyroid gland 1. Neural crest cells

B. Adrenal medulla 2. Intermediate mesoderm

C. Kidney 3. Endoderm

Accepted Answer

A-3, B-1, C-2

Answer

A-1, B-3, C-2

Answer

A-2, B-1, C-3

Answer

A-1, B-2, C-3

Question 5

Match each of the following gastrointestinal organs with its distinctive histological feature:

Organ Histological Feature

1. Ileum a. Taenia coli

2. Transverse colon b. Villi

3. Esophagus c. Peyer's patches

4. Duodenum d. Non-keratinized stratified squamous
epithelium

Accepted Answer

1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b

Answer

1-a, 2-c, 3-d, 4-b

Answer

1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d

Answer

1-d, 2-a, 3-c, 4-b

Question 6

A developmental remnant of the embryological hindgut persisting in the retrorectal (presacral)
space is most likely to give rise to which of the following lesions?

Accepted Answer

Tailgut cyst

Answer

Chondroma

Answer

Epidermoid cyst

Answer

Dermoid cyst

Question 7

The histological section shown in the image, characterized by predominantly serous acini, is
best identified as which organ?

Accepted Answer

Parotid gland

Answer

Sublingual salivary gland

Answer

Pancreas

Answer

Liver

Question 8

A failure of fusion of the maxillary process with the medial nasal
process during embryonic development results in which type of cleft
anomaly?

Accepted Answer

Midline cleft lip

Answer

Oblique cleft lip

Answer

Bilateral cleft

Answer

Cleft palate

INI-CET 2026 — Anatomy