FMGE 2025 - Anatomy Practice Questions

Q: Identify the structure marked in the image.

Right Hepatic artery. ***Right Hepatic artery*** - The marked structure is the **Right Hepatic artery**, a branch of the **proper hepatic artery**, which supplies arterial blood to the right lobe of the liver. - As depicted, the **cystic artery**, which supplies the gallbladder, commonly originates from the right hepatic artery within the triangle of Calot. *Cystic artery* - The **cystic artery** is a smaller branch that is shown originating from the marked vessel and running towards the gallbladder (green structure); the pointer is on the parent artery. - This artery is a critical structure to identify and ligate during a **cholecystectomy** (gallbladder removal) to prevent bleeding. *Hepatic duct* - The **hepatic ducts** are part of the biliary system (colored yellow/orange) and function to drain bile from the liver, not supply blood to it. - These ducts converge to form the **common hepatic duct**, which is distinct from the arterial system (colored red). *Cystic duct* - The **cystic duct** is the channel that connects the gallbladder to the common hepatic duct, allowing bile to flow in and out of the gallbladder. - It is a component of the biliary tract, not a blood vessel like the marked artery.

Q: A patient presents with loss of sensation on the posterior surface of the ear along with a lesion. Which structure is most likely involved?

Greater Auricular Nerve. ***Greater Auricular Nerve***- The **Greater Auricular Nerve (GAN)**, originating from the cervical plexus (C2, C3), provides sensory innervation to the **skin over the mastoid process** and the **posterior surface of the auricle (ear)**.- Damage (lesion involvement) to this nerve results specifically in **sensory loss (anesthesia)** in its distribution area, matching the patient's presentation.*Internal Jugular Vein*- This is a large deep vein responsible for major **venous drainage** of the head and neck, not sensory innervation.- Involvement would cause **venous congestion** or potentially severe complications related to thrombosis, not isolated sensory loss.*External Jugular Vein*- This is a superficial vein responsible for minor **venous drainage** of the face and head, running lateral to the sternocleidomastoid muscle.- Any compromise to this vein affects the circulatory system (**venous return**) and does not lead to sensory deficits.*External Carotid Artery*- This is a major artery supplying the extracranial structures of the head; its primary function is **blood supply (perfusion)**.- Lesions would typically cause signs of **ischemia** or hemorrhage in its distribution, not an isolated nerve-related sensory loss on the posterior ear.

Q: What is the most common type of ventricular septal defect?

Membranous defect. ***Membranous defect***- This type of defect, also known as **perimembranous VSD**, is the most common form, accounting for approximately 70-80% of all ventricular septal defects [1].- It is located just below the aortic valve, involving the **proximal third** of the septum and is defined by its relationship to the fibrous trigones [1].*Muscular defect*- **Muscular VSDs** (or trabecular VSDs) are less common than membranous defects and can be found anywhere within the thick muscular portion of the septum.- These defects often have a higher rate of **spontaneous closure**, especially the small, multiple defects referred to as 'Swiss cheese' VSDs.*Non-development of the perimembranous part of the septum*- While the failure of complete septation of the **membranous portion** is the underlying embryological cause, the specific anatomical diagnosis defining the common VSD type is the *membranous defect*. - This phrasing is descriptive of the etiology but **membranous defect** identifies the most common resulting structure.*Incomplete fusion of the septum*- This is a generic description of the mechanism leading to VSD development (failure of the septal components to fuse correctly), but it does not specify the **most common anatomical location**.- The most critical and common fusion failure involves the development of the **membranous septum**, which results in the named *membranous defect*.

Q: A corneal wisp test was performed, and the corneal reflex was elicited. Which of the following nerves is responsible for the afferent limb of this reflex?

Trigeminal Nerve. ***Trigeminal Nerve*** - The **afferent limb** (sensory input) of the corneal reflex is mediated by the **ophthalmic division (V1)** of the Trigeminal Nerve (CN V). - Sensory stimulation of the cornea sends impulses to the main sensory nucleus of CN V in the **pons**. *Facial Nerve* - The Facial Nerve (CN VII) constitutes the **efferent limb** of the corneal reflex, transmitting the motor signal. - This motor signal causes the eyelid closure reaction (blinking) by innervating the **orbicularis oculi** muscle. *Oculomotor Nerve* - The Oculomotor Nerve (CN III) is primarily responsible for most ocular movements and the **pupillary light reflex** (efferent limb), but not corneal sensation. [1] - It innervates the **levator palpebrae superioris** muscle, which controls eyelid opening, the opposite action of the reflex blink. *Abducens Nerve* - The Abducens Nerve (CN VI) is solely responsible for innervating the **lateral rectus** muscle, controlling lateral eye movement. - It plays no role in either the afferent (sensory) or efferent (motor) component of the corneal reflex pathway.

Q: Identify the structure marked in the image given below.

Pharyngobasilar fascia. ***Pharyngobasilar fascia*** - The image shows the layers of the tonsillar bed. The arrow points to the **pharyngobasilar fascia**, which lies between the tonsillar capsule medially and the superior constrictor muscle laterally. - This fascia is the aponeurotic upper part of the superior constrictor muscle, attaching the pharynx to the base of the skull. *Buccopharyngeal fascia* - This fascia covers the **external surface** of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles and the buccinator muscle. - It is located more laterally than the structure indicated by the arrow, outside the superior constrictor muscle. *Capsule* - The **tonsillar capsule** is a thin, fibrous layer that directly covers the lateral surface of the palatine tonsil, separating it from the peritonsillar space. - The arrow is pointing to the layer just lateral to the tonsillar capsule, not the capsule itself. *Superior constrictor muscle* - This muscle forms the lateral wall of the tonsillar fossa and is situated laterally to the **pharyngobasilar fascia**. - The indicated structure is a fascial layer medial to this muscle.

Q: Identify the structure indicated by the arrow in the image.

Pharyngobasilar fascia. ***Pharyngobasilar fascia*** - This is the fibrous internal lining of the pharynx, located between the **mucous membrane** medially and the **pharyngeal muscles** laterally, which matches the position indicated by the arrow. - It provides structural integrity to the pharyngeal wall, particularly in the upper part where it attaches the pharynx to the **base of the skull**. *Buccopharyngeal fascia* - This fascia covers the *external* surface of the **pharyngeal constrictor muscles** and is continuous with the fascia on the buccinator muscle. - The arrow points to a structure *internal* to the pharyngeal muscles, making this an incorrect choice. *Capsule* - The palatine tonsil is enclosed by its own fibrous **tonsillar capsule**, which is immediately adjacent to the tonsillar tissue. - The arrow indicates the fascial layer of the pharyngeal wall, which is located lateral and deep to the tonsillar capsule. *Superior constrictor muscle* - This muscle forms the lateral wall of the oropharynx and serves as the **tonsillar bed**. - The arrow is pointing to the fascial layer just internal to this muscle, not the muscle layer itself.

Q: Identify the marked area in the image given.

Pouch of Douglas. ***Pouch of Douglas*** - This is the **rectouterine pouch**, a peritoneal reflection between the posterior wall of the uterus and the anterior aspect of the rectum. - As the most dependent part of the female peritoneal cavity, it's a common site for fluid collection (blood, pus) and can be accessed for procedures like **culdocentesis**, as depicted by the needle. *Morrison's pouch* - Also known as the **hepatorenal pouch**, this is a potential space in the upper abdomen between the liver and the right kidney. - It is anatomically located far superior to the pelvic region shown in the image. *Vesicouterine pouch* - This is the peritoneal pouch located between the anterior surface of the uterus and the posterior surface of the urinary bladder. - The image clearly marks the space posterior to the uterus, not anterior. *Ischioanal Fossa* - This is a fat-filled space located lateral to the anal canal and inferior to the pelvic diaphragm within the perineum. - It is an extraperitoneal structure and not the intraperitoneal recess marked in the image.

Q: Histological section is given below. Identify the marked cell. ![img-34.jpeg](img-34.jpeg)

Purkinje cell. ***Purkinje cell*** - The marked cell is a **Purkinje cell**, identified by its large, **flask-shaped** (pyriform) body and its characteristic location in the cerebellar cortex. - These neurons form a distinct single layer, the **Purkinje cell layer**, situated between the outer, less cellular **molecular layer** and the inner, densely packed **granular layer**. *Stellate cell* - **Stellate cells** are small, star-shaped inhibitory interneurons located within the superficial part of the **molecular layer**; they are not the large, flask-shaped cells shown. - They are significantly smaller than Purkinje cells and do not form a distinct, single-cell-thick layer. *Basket cell* - **Basket cells** are inhibitory interneurons found in the deeper part of the **molecular layer**, close to the Purkinje cells. - Although they synapse on Purkinje cells by forming a 'basket' of fibers around the soma, the arrow is pointing to the large Purkinje cell body itself, not the smaller basket cell. *Granular cell* - **Granular cells** are the very small, densely packed neurons with dark-staining nuclei that form the **granular layer**, which is the dark purple layer at the bottom of the image. - The marked cell is clearly much larger than a granular cell and is located in the layer just above the granular layer.

Q: Histological section is given below. Identify the marked cell.

Purkinje cell. ***Purkinje cell*** - The image displays a histological section of the **cerebellar cortex**. The arrow points to a large, flask-shaped neuron situated in a single layer between the outer molecular layer and the inner granular layer, which is characteristic of a **Purkinje cell**. - These cells are the primary output neurons of the cerebellar cortex, utilizing **GABA** as their neurotransmitter to exert an inhibitory effect on the deep cerebellar nuclei. *Stellate cell* - Stellate cells are small, star-shaped inhibitory interneurons located in the superficial part of the **molecular layer** of the cerebellar cortex. - They are significantly smaller than the cell indicated and are not organized into the distinct single-cell layer where the marked neuron is found. *Basket cell* - Basket cells are inhibitory interneurons found in the deeper part of the **molecular layer**, close to the Purkinje cell layer. - While they synapse on Purkinje cells, they are themselves much smaller and are not the large, flask-shaped cell bodies pointed to by the arrow. *Granular cell* - Granular cells are very small, densely packed excitatory neurons that constitute the **granular layer**, the innermost and most cellular layer of the cerebellar cortex (visible as the dark purple area at the bottom). - The marked cell is located in the layer just above the granular layer and is morphologically distinct, being much larger than a single granular cell.

Q: Which nerve is affected in the hand deformity shown in the image at rest? ![img-59.jpeg](img-59.jpeg)

Ulnar. ***Ulnar*** - The image displays a characteristic **claw hand** deformity, specifically affecting the 4th and 5th digits, which is a classic sign of **ulnar nerve** palsy. - This occurs due to paralysis of the ulnar-innervated muscles, primarily the **medial two lumbricals** and the **interossei**, leading to unopposed extension at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and flexion at the interphalangeal (IP) joints of the ring and little fingers. *Median* - A **median nerve** injury typically causes an **“ape hand”** deformity due to thenar muscle atrophy or a **“hand of benediction”** sign, where the patient cannot flex the 2nd and 3rd fingers when asked to make a fist. - Unlike the ulnar claw seen at rest, the hand of benediction is an **active sign** (seen on attempted action) and involves different digits. *Musculocutaneous* - The **musculocutaneous nerve** supplies the muscles in the anterior compartment of the arm, such as the **biceps brachii** and **brachialis**, which are responsible for elbow flexion. - An injury to this nerve results in a weak elbow flexion and forearm supination, but it does not cause any deformity in the hand. *None* - The deformity shown is a well-recognized clinical sign known as the **claw hand**. - This sign is specifically and directly linked to a lesion of the **ulnar nerve**, making this option incorrect.

Question 1

Identify the structure marked in the image.

Accepted Answer

Right Hepatic artery

Answer

Cystic duct

Answer

Cystic artery

Answer

Hepatic duct

Question 2

A patient presents with loss of sensation on the posterior surface of the ear along with a lesion. Which structure is most likely involved?

Accepted Answer

Greater Auricular Nerve

Answer

External Carotid Artery

Answer

External Jugular Vein

Answer

Internal Jugular Vein

Question 3

What is the most common type of ventricular septal defect?

Accepted Answer

Membranous defect

Answer

Incomplete fusion of the septum

Answer

Non-development of the perimembranous part of the septum

Answer

Muscular defect

Question 4

A corneal wisp test was performed, and the corneal reflex was elicited. Which of the following nerves is responsible for the afferent limb of this reflex?

Accepted Answer

Trigeminal Nerve

Answer

Abducens Nerve

Answer

Oculomotor Nerve

Answer

Facial Nerve

Question 5

Identify the structure marked in the image given below.

Accepted Answer

Pharyngobasilar fascia

Answer

Buccopharyngeal fascia

Answer

Superior constrictor muscle

Answer

Capsule

Question 6

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow in the image.

Accepted Answer

Pharyngobasilar fascia

Answer

Capsule

Answer

Superior constrictor muscle

Answer

Buccopharyngeal fascia

Question 7

Identify the marked area in the image given.

Accepted Answer

Pouch of Douglas

Answer

Morrison's pouch

Answer

Vesicouterine pouch

Answer

Ischioanal Fossa

Question 8

Histological section is given below. Identify the marked cell. ![img-34.jpeg](img-34.jpeg)

Accepted Answer

Purkinje cell

Answer

Granular cell

Answer

Stellate cell

Answer

Basket cell

Question 9

Histological section is given below. Identify the marked cell.

Accepted Answer

Purkinje cell

Answer

Granular cell

Answer

Stellate cell

Answer

Basket cell

Question 10

Which nerve is affected in the hand deformity shown in the image at rest? ![img-59.jpeg](img-59.jpeg)

Accepted Answer

Ulnar

Answer

Median

Answer

Musculocutaneous

Answer

None

FMGE 2025 — Anatomy