NEET-PG 2017 Practice Questions

Q: All are true about the cartilage shown in the figure except: (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Present in intervertebral disks. ***Present in intervertebral disks*** ✓ Correct Answer (FALSE Statement) - The image shows **hyaline cartilage**, characterized by isolated chondrocytes (or in isogenous groups) within lacunae and a homogenous, glassy matrix. - **Intervertebral discs** are primarily composed of **fibrocartilage** (annulus fibrosus) with a gelatinous nucleus pulposus, NOT hyaline cartilage. - This is the **FALSE statement**, making it the correct answer to this "EXCEPT" question. *Hyaline cartilage with chondrocytes in lacunae* (TRUE Statement) - This statement is **true** about the cartilage shown. - The image clearly depicts **chondrocytes** residing within small spaces called **lacunae** embedded in an extracellular matrix [1]. - The matrix around the chondrocytes appears relatively uniform, which is characteristic of **hyaline cartilage**. *Ossifies with ageing* (TRUE Statement) - This is **true** for hyaline cartilage, especially articular cartilage and the cartilage of the nasal septum, larynx, and trachea. - Over time, in a process known as **endochondral ossification**, hyaline cartilage can be replaced by bone, leading to a decrease in flexibility [1]. *Most abundant cartilage in body* (TRUE Statement) - This statement is **true**. **Hyaline cartilage** is the most prevalent type of cartilage in the human body. - It is found in various locations such as the **articular surfaces of joints**, the **trachea**, bronchi, larynx, costal cartilages, and the embryonic skeleton. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Bones, Joints, and Soft Tissue Tumors, pp. 1195-1204.

Q: Identify the structure:

Tonsil. ***Tonsil*** - The image displays multiple **crypts** lined by **stratified squamous epithelium** and filled with abundant **lymphoid follicles**, which are characteristic features of a tonsil. - Tonsils are secondary lymphoid organs located in the oropharynx, specialized for immune surveillance of ingested and inhaled antigens. *Lymph node* - Lymph nodes are typically encapsulated and show distinct cortical and medullary regions, lacking the deep crypts seen in the image. - They contain lymphoid follicles but are surrounded by a capsule and have afferent and efferent lymphatic vessels. *Spleen* - The spleen is characterized by red pulp (involved in filtering blood) and white pulp (containing lymphoid follicles around arterioles). - Its histological structure does not include epithelial-lined crypts. *Thymus* - The thymus is distinctively lobulated and features a cortex rich in thymocytes and a medulla containing **Hassall's corpuscles**. - It lacks the prominent lymphoid follicles and crypts observed in the image, as its primary role is T-cell maturation.

Q: Which type of salivary glands is shown in the image?

Mixed. ***Mixed*** - The image displays both **serous acini** (darkly stained, uniform cells forming spherical structures) and **mucous tubules** (larger, lighter-stained cells often forming more tubular or crescent structures), characteristic of a mixed salivary gland. - The presence of **serous demilunes** capping some mucous tubules further confirms the mixed nature, although not clearly visible at this magnification, it's inferred by the blend of cell types. *Serous* - Serous glands would show almost exclusively **darkly stained, granular acini** producing watery secretions, like the parotid gland. - The image clearly contains lighter-stained, more translucent structures in addition to the dark acini, ruling out a purely serous gland. *Mucous* - Mucous glands would primarily consist of **pale-staining, vacuolated cells** forming tubules, responsible for viscous secretions. - While mucous components are present, significant numbers of darkly stained serous acini are also visible. *Papillary* - "Papillary" refers to a **growth pattern** characterized by finger-like projections, not a type of secretory cell or gland. - This term is typically used in the context of tumors or certain glandular epithelia but not for classifying conventional salivary gland types.

Q: Which type of salivary gland is shown in the image?

Mixed. ***Mixed*** - The image clearly shows a combination of both **serous acini** (darker staining, more granular cells) and **mucous acini** (paler staining, foamy appearance, flattened peripheral nuclei). - Many **mucous acini are capped by serous demilunes**, which is a classic histological feature of mixed glands. *Serous* - Serous glands would solely consist of **serous acini**, characterized by darkly stained, granular cytoplasm and round, centrally located nuclei. - There would be no presence of the paler, foamy cells or **mucous acini** seen in the image. *Mucous* - Mucous glands would primarily contain **mucous acini**, which appear light-staining and foamy with flattened, basally located nuclei, lacking the prominent serous components. - The image contains significant numbers of cells with dense, eosinophilic cytoplasm typical of serous cells, not exclusively mucous cells. *Papillary* - "Papillary" refers to a **growth pattern or morphology** of epithelium, characterized by finger-like projections, and is not a classification for the secretory product of a salivary gland. - Salivary glands are classified based on their secretory units (serous, mucous, or mixed), not their overall structural arrangement.

Q: Which type of salivary glands is shown in the image?

Mucous. ***Mucous*** - The image predominantly displays **mucous acini**, characterized by their **pale-staining cytoplasm** and **flat, basally located nuclei**. - These cells produce **viscous, carbohydrate-rich mucus** for lubrication and protection. *Serous* - **Serous acini** typically show **darker, basophilic cytoplasm** due to abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and **round, centrally located nuclei**. - They secrete **watery fluid rich in enzymes**, which is not the primary feature seen here. *Mixed* - **Mixed glands** contain both **serous and mucous acini**, often with **serous demilunes** capping the mucous acini. - While some ducts are visible, the overwhelming majority of secretory units are clearly mucous, not a balance of both or prominent serous demilunes. *Papillary* - **Papillary structures** are typically associated with ducts or cyst linings, forming finger-like projections. - This term does not describe a primary type of salivary gland secretory unit based on its cellular composition or secretory product.

Q: The blood vessel marked as $X$ in the CT angiography image is:

P2 PCA. ***P2 PCA*** - The image displays a CT angiography of the **Circle of Willis**. The vessel marked 'X' is a segment of the **posterior cerebral artery** (PCA). - The PCA is conventionally divided into four segments: P1 (pre-communicating), P2 (peduncular), P3 (quadrigeminal), and P4 (cortical). The 'X' points to the segment of the PCA that is distal to the posterior communicating artery, indicating the **P2 segment**. *P1 PCA* - The **P1 segment** of the PCA is the initial part, located between the basilar artery bifurcation and the posterior communicating artery. - The vessel marked 'X' is clearly **distal to the connection point** where the posterior communicating artery would typically join, thus it is not the P1 segment. *Internal carotid artery* - The **internal carotid arteries** typically ascend higher and give rise to the anterior and middle cerebral arteries, forming the anterior circulation. - The vessel marked 'X' is part of the **posterior circulation**, originating from the basilar artery system, not the internal carotid artery. *M1, Middle cerebral artery* - The **M1 (main trunk) segment of the middle cerebral artery** extends laterally from the internal carotid artery. - The vessel marked 'X' is situated more posteriorly and medially, clearly identifying it as part of the **posterior cerebral artery**, and not the middle cerebral artery.

Q: The toxin shown in the image will lead to the development of: (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Danbury tremor. ***Danbury tremor*** - The image displays **elemental mercury**, identifiable by its silvery metallic liquid appearance. Mercury poisoning, also known as mercurialism, characteristically manifests as **Danbury tremor** (also called "hatter's shakes"), a fine tremor affecting the hands and fingers due to chronic mercury exposure. - This neurological manifestation is named after **Danbury, Connecticut**, a historical hat-making center where workers developed tremors from mercury exposure used in felt hat production, giving rise to the phrase "**mad as a hatter**." *Burtonian line* - The **Burtonian line** (Burton's line) is a **blue-black gingival discoloration** specifically associated with **chronic lead poisoning**, not mercury toxicity. - This clinical sign results from **lead sulfide deposition** along the gum margin and is not observed in mercury poisoning. *Basophilic stippling of RBC* - **Basophilic stippling** is a microscopic finding on blood smear showing **ribosomal RNA aggregates** in red blood cells, characteristic of **lead poisoning** due to inhibition of pyrimidine-5'-nucleotidase. - This hematological finding is **not associated with mercury toxicity**, which primarily affects the nervous system and kidneys. *Clapton line* - The term "**Clapton line**" is **not a recognized medical sign** in standard medical literature or toxicology references. - This appears to be a **distractor option** with no established association with mercury or any other heavy metal poisoning.

Q: The appearance of lines in nails as shown below is seen in? (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Arsenic poisoning. ***Arsenic poisoning*** - The image shows **Mees' lines (leuconychia striata)**, which are transverse white bands across the nail plate. - These lines are a **classic and pathognomonic sign of chronic arsenic poisoning** in medical education and competitive exams. - Mees' lines appear 4-6 weeks after arsenic exposure and move distally as the nail grows. - Other conditions like chemotherapy, carbon monoxide poisoning, and severe systemic illness can rarely cause similar findings, but arsenic remains the most important association. *Copper poisoning* - Copper poisoning (Wilson's disease) causes **azure lunulae**, which are blue discoloration of the nail lunula, not transverse white lines. - It primarily affects the **liver, brain, and eyes** with symptoms like Kayser-Fleischer rings. *Mercury poisoning* - Chronic mercury poisoning (acrodynia or Pink Disease in children) typically causes **pink discoloration of the nails, excessive sweating, and rash**. - It does not manifest as transverse white lines. *Thallium poisoning* - The hallmark feature of thallium poisoning is **alopecia (hair loss)**, which is the most characteristic finding. - Other features include painful neuropathies, gastrointestinal symptoms, and neurological manifestations. - Mees' lines are **not a characteristic feature** of thallium poisoning in standard medical teaching.

Q: The image shows: (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Pelger-Huet anomaly. ***Pelger-Huet anomaly*** - The image shows a **neutrophil** with a **bilobed nucleus** (pince-nez appearance) and unusually **coarse chromatin**, which is characteristic of the Pelger-Huët anomaly. - This is a harmless inherited condition where neutrophils fail to segment properly, but their function remains normal. *Golgi body* - The Golgi body (or Golgi apparatus) is an **organelle** found in most eukaryotic cells that is involved in packaging proteins and lipids into vesicles. - It is an intracellular structure and not typically visible as a distinct feature like the one pointed to in a peripheral blood smear. *Barr body* - A Barr body is an **inactivated X chromosome** found in the somatic cells of females. - It appears as a small, dense, dark-staining structure in the periphery of the nucleus, and while it can be confused with a drumstick appendage, the shape in the image is not typical for a Barr body. *Davidson body* - A Davidson body (or drumstick) is a small **drumstick-shaped nuclear appendage** found on the neutrophils of some females, representing the inactive X chromosome. - While it is a nuclear appendage, the structure in the image is more consistent with the characteristic bilobed nucleus of Pelger-Huët anomaly rather than a distinct drumstick appendage. *Döhle bodies* - Döhle bodies are **cytoplasmic inclusions** that appear as pale blue-gray patches in the cytoplasm of neutrophils, representing aggregates of rough endoplasmic reticulum. - They are seen in infections, burns, pregnancy, and toxic states, but the finding in the image is a **nuclear abnormality**, not a cytoplasmic inclusion.

Q: Identify the tissue:

Thymus. ***Thymus*** - The presence of a **cortex** and **medulla**, along with **Hassall's corpuscles** (epithelial reticular cells arranged concentrically), is characteristic of the thymus [1]. - The thymus is responsible for **T-cell maturation** and selection [1]. *Lymph node* - Lymph nodes typically show a distinct **cortex** with lymphoid follicles (B-cell areas) and a **paracortex** (T-cell area), but lack Hassall's corpuscles. - They function in **filtering lymph** and initiating immune responses. *Tonsil* - Tonsils are characterized by **crypts** lined by stratified squamous epithelium and prominent **lymphoid follicles** beneath the epithelium, which are not the primary features here. - They are part of the **Waldeyer's ring** and serve as a first line of defense against inhaled and ingested pathogens. *Spleen* - The spleen has distinct **red pulp** (involved in filtering blood and removing old red blood cells) and **white pulp** (lymphoid areas with periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths and follicles), but does not contain Hassall's corpuscles. - It is a major site for **immune surveillance** and blood filtration. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Diseases of White Blood Cells, Lymph Nodes, Spleen, and Thymus, p. 634.

Question 1

All are true about the cartilage shown in the figure except: (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Accepted Answer

Present in intervertebral disks

Answer

Hyaline cartilage with chondrocytes in lacunae

Answer

Ossifies with ageing

Answer

Most abundant cartilage in body

Question 2

Identify the structure:

Accepted Answer

Tonsil

Answer

Lymph node

Answer

Spleen

Answer

Thymus

Question 3

Which type of salivary glands is shown in the image?

Accepted Answer

Mixed

Answer

Serous

Answer

Mucous

Answer

Papillary

Question 4

Which type of salivary gland is shown in the image?

Accepted Answer

Mixed

Answer

Serous

Answer

Mucous

Answer

Papillary

Question 5

Which type of salivary glands is shown in the image?

Accepted Answer

Mucous

Answer

Serous

Answer

Mixed

Answer

Papillary

Question 6

The blood vessel marked as $X$ in the CT angiography image is:

Accepted Answer

P2 PCA

Answer

P1 PCA

Answer

Internal carotid artery

Answer

M1, Middle cerebral artery

Question 7

The toxin shown in the image will lead to the development of: (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Accepted Answer

Danbury tremor

Answer

Clapton line

Answer

Basophilic stippling of RBC

Answer

Burtonian line

Question 8

The appearance of lines in nails as shown below is seen in? (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Accepted Answer

Arsenic poisoning

Answer

Copper poisoning

Answer

Mercury poisoning

Answer

Thallium poisoning

Question 9

The image shows: (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Accepted Answer

Pelger-Huet anomaly

Answer

Golgi body

Answer

Barr body

Answer

Davidson body

Answer

Döhle bodies

Question 10

Identify the tissue:

Accepted Answer

Thymus

Answer

Lymph node

Answer

Tonsil

Answer

Spleen

Answer

Bone marrow

NEET-PG 2017

Anatomy

Forensic Medicine

Pathology