General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: White infarcts are seen in which of the following organs?

All the above. ### Explanation Infarction is categorized into two types based on the color and the nature of the blood supply to the organ: **White (Anemic) Infarcts** and **Red (Hemorrhagic) Infarcts**. **Mechanism of White Infarcts:** White infarcts occur in **solid organs** with **end-arterial circulation** (single blood supply). When an artery is occluded, there is no collateral flow to bypass the blockage. The tissue undergoes ischemic necrosis, and because the organ is solid/dense, it limits the amount of blood that can seep into the necrotic area from adjacent capillary beds. Over time, the area becomes pale and well-circumscribed. * **Kidney:** A classic site for white infarcts due to its end-arterial system (arcuate and interlobular arteries). These infarcts are typically wedge-shaped. * **Spleen:** Similar to the kidney, the splenic artery branches are end-arteries, making the spleen highly susceptible to pale, wedge-shaped infarcts (often seen in embolic events like infective endocarditis). * **Heart:** Myocardial infarction is a white infarct [2]. Although there are some anastomoses, the coronary arteries function as functional end-arteries [2]. **Why "All the above" is correct:** All three organs—Kidney, Spleen, and Heart—possess the structural density and limited collateral blood supply required to produce a pale/white infarct upon arterial occlusion. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Red (Hemorrhagic) Infarcts:** Occur in loose tissues (Lungs), organs with dual blood supply (Liver, Lungs, Small Intestine), or when there is venous occlusion (Ovarian torsion). * **Morphology:** Most white infarcts are **wedge-shaped**, with the apex pointing toward the occluded vessel and the base at the organ periphery. * **Microscopy:** The hallmark of most infarcts (except the brain) is **Coagulative Necrosis**. Brain infarcts result in **Liquefactive Necrosis** [1].

Question 1

A gastric biopsy is performed on a patient with suspected graft-versus-host disease following bone marrow transplantation. The biopsy demonstrates isolated dying epithelial cells in crypts showing fragmented, hyperchromatic nuclei and small discrete blebs containing both cytoplasm and nuclear fragments. What process do these findings demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

Apoptosis

Answer

Caseous necrosis

Answer

Coagulative necrosis

Answer

Gangrenous necrosis

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a constituent of Virchow's triad?

Accepted Answer

Increased venous blood pressure

Answer

Damage to endothelium due to injury or inflammation

Answer

Diminished rate of blood flow

Answer

Increased coagulability of blood

Question 3

Intracellular calcification begins in which of the following organelles?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria

Answer

Golgi body

Answer

Lysosomes

Answer

Nucleus

Question 4

Which type of necrosis is typically associated with pyogenic infection and brain infarction?

Accepted Answer

Liquefaction necrosis

Answer

Coagulative necrosis

Answer

Caseous necrosis

Answer

Fat necrosis

Question 5

High risk of malignancy is seen in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Complex hyperplasia with atypia

Answer

Simple hyperplasia with atypia

Answer

Simple hyperplasia without atypia

Answer

Complex hyperplasia without atypia

Question 6

Which vitamin deficiency is implicated in the metaplasia of respiratory epithelium?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin A

Answer

Vitamin C

Answer

Vitamin B

Answer

Vitamin E

Question 7

Which of the following types of necrosis is most commonly associated with ischemic injury?

Accepted Answer

Coagulative necrosis

Answer

Casseous necrosis

Answer

Liquifactive necrosis

Answer

Fat necrosis

Question 8

White infarcts are seen in which of the following organs?

Accepted Answer

All the above

Answer

Kidney

Answer

Spleen

Answer

Heart

Question 9

A 17-year-old soccer player suffered a fracture to the left tibia. After his lower leg has been in a cast for 8 weeks, he found that the left gastrocnemius muscle is significantly smaller in circumference than it was before the fracture. What is the most likely explanation?

Accepted Answer

Temporary reduction in actin and myosin protein synthesis.

Answer

Decrease in the number of individual muscle fibers in the muscle.

Answer

Decrease in blood flow to the muscle caused by constriction from the cast.

Answer

Progressive denervation.

Question 10

Which inherited coagulation defect is characterized by prolonged coagulation time?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Protein C deficiency

Answer

Protein S deficiency

Answer

Antithrombin III deficiency

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?