Vascular Pathology Practice Questions

Q: What is the most common site for an atherosclerotic aneurysm?

Abdominal aorta. **Explanation:** **1. Why Abdominal Aorta is Correct:** The **infrarenal abdominal aorta** is the most common site for an atherosclerotic aneurysm (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm or AAA). Atherosclerosis is the primary underlying pathology for most true aneurysms. The abdominal aorta is particularly susceptible because it has a lower density of vasa vasorum compared to the thoracic aorta, making the media more dependent on luminal diffusion and thus more prone to ischemic weakening and elastic fiber degradation. Approximately 90% of AAAs occur below the level of the renal arteries. **2. Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Aorta (General):** While technically true, it is too broad. In competitive exams like NEET-PG, the most specific anatomical site is preferred. * **Thoracic Aorta:** Aneurysms here are less common than abdominal ones. When they do occur, they are often associated with cystic medial necrosis or connective tissue disorders (e.g., Marfan syndrome) rather than just atherosclerosis. * **Arch of Aorta:** This is a specific segment of the thoracic aorta and is a much rarer site for atherosclerotic aneurysms compared to the infrarenal segment. **3. Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Definition:** An aneurysm is defined as a permanent focal dilatation of an artery to at least **1.5 times** its normal diameter. * **Risk Factors:** Smoking is the strongest risk factor for AAA; others include male gender, age >65, and hypertension. * **Triad of Rupture:** Hypotension, pulsatile abdominal mass, and back/abdominal pain. * **Screening:** USG is the investigation of choice for screening; CT Angiography is the gold standard for surgical planning. * **Surgical Threshold:** Repair is generally indicated if the diameter is **>5.5 cm in men** or **>5.0 cm in women**, or if it expands >0.5 cm in 6 months.

Question 1

Saddle embolus causes sudden death by blocking which arteries?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary arteries

Answer

Coronary arteries

Answer

Cerebral arteries

Answer

Renal arteries

Question 2

A 45-year-old man presents with a 9-month history of a reddish nodule on his foot. Biopsy of the nodule discloses a poorly demarcated lesion composed of fibroblasts and endothelial-like cells lining vascular spaces. Further work-up identifies similar lesions in the lymph nodes and liver. The tumor cells contain sequences of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8). This patient most likely has which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Answer

Ataxia telangiectasia

Answer

Li-Fraumeni syndrome

Answer

Neurofibromatosis type I

Question 3

What are the most common vessels involved in cutaneous vasculitis?

Accepted Answer

Post-capillary venules

Answer

Arteries

Answer

Arterioles

Answer

Capillaries

Question 4

Which of the following is the least common site of atherosclerotic lesions?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary arterial trunk

Answer

Aortic bifurcation

Answer

Common carotid artery

Answer

Middle cerebral artery

Question 5

Foam cells are seen in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis

Answer

Alport syndrome

Answer

Niemann-Pick disease

Answer

Pneumonia

Question 6

In malignant hypertension, hyperplastic arteriosclerosis is seen in all of the following except?

Accepted Answer

Heart

Answer

Kidney

Answer

Pericardial fat

Answer

Peripancreatic fat

Question 7

Which of the following blood vessels is affected in hypersensitivity vasculitis?

Accepted Answer

Postcapillary venules

Answer

Capillaries

Answer

Arterioles

Answer

Medium sized vessels

Question 8

A patient presents with respiratory symptoms including cough and hemoptysis, along with glomerulonephritis. Serum c-ANCA levels are found to be elevated. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Wegener’s granulomatosis

Answer

Goodpasture’s syndrome

Answer

Classic polyarteritis nodosa

Answer

Kawasaki’s syndrome

Question 9

Dissecting hematoma is a clinical complication occurring in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Marfan syndrome

Answer

Turner's syndrome

Answer

Klinefelter's syndrome

Answer

Down syndrome

Question 10

What is the most common site for an atherosclerotic aneurysm?

Accepted Answer

Abdominal aorta

Answer

Aorta

Answer

Thoracic aorta

Answer

Arch of aorta

Vascular Pathology — MCQs

Vascular Pathology — MCQs

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