11 USMLE Anatomy and Embryology Questions with Answers (Set 3)

These 11 quick USMLE review questions test high-yield facts that show up again and again on the exam: the eye, median nerve, pituitary development, ilioinguinal nerve, hypothalamus development, pelvic floor, tarsal tunnel, skull foramina, the vertebral artery and the appendicular artery. Each question includes the correct answer.

Written by Dr. Ray Makar, MD, author of the Repeated USMLE Questions eBook series.

Prefer video? Watch daily USMLE case questions on MedFocus by Dr. Ray on YouTube.

How to use this page: read the question, pick your answer, then tap Show Answer and Explanation.

Questions

Question 1. A 56-year-old woman is found to have elevated intraocular pressure during a routine eye examination. Examination also reveals normal optic disc and open angle of the eye. Her doctor explains to her that her condition is probably due to increased secretion of aqueous fluid. This fluid is produced by which of the following structures?

A- Endothelial cells of the cornea
B- Epithelial cells of the ciliary body
C- Epithelia cells of the cornea
D- Epithelial cells of the retina

B- Epithelial cells of the ciliary body- It is only source of aqueous fluid which flows inside the chambers of the eye and leaves through canal of Schlemm.
The correct answer is B

 

Question 2. The vitreous chamber of the eye is located between which of the following structures of the eye?

A- The cornea and the iris
B- The cornea and the retina
C- The iris and the lens
D- The lens and the retina

D- The lens and the retina- This is the correct answer. A is the anterior chamber and C is the posterior chamber.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 3. Injury of which of the following nerves caused loss of sensation of the palmar surface of the lateral three and a half digits and the lateral part of the palm?

A- Axillary nerve
B- Median nerve
C- Radial nerve
D- Ulnar nerve

B- Median nerve- It also supplies, in addition of sensations mentioned above, the major pronators, thumb flexors, and the opponens pollicis.
The correct answer is B

 

Question 4. The gland responsible for the secretion of prolactin is derived from which of the following structures?

A- Infundibulum
B- Neurohypophysis
C- Primordial follicle
D- Rathke’s pouch

D- Rathke’s pouch- Anterior pituitary is originated from this structure while posterior pituitary is originated from neurohypophysis.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 5. Injury of which of the following nerves results in loss of sensations over the right scrotum and the medial side of the thigh?

A- Genitofemoral nerve
B- Ilioinguinal nerve
C- Lateral cutaneous nerve
D- Pudendal nerve

B- Ilioinguinal nerve- A supplies motor of cremaster muscles, C supplies skin over the lateral side of the thigh and D supplies external anal sphincter and a part of the dorsal skin of the scrotum.
The correct answer is B

 

Question 6. During development, the hypothalamus arises from which one of the following structures?

A- Diencephalon
B- Mesencephalon
C- Metencephalon
D- Telencephalon

A-Diencephalon- Hypothalamus, along with thalamus and epithalamus, arises from diencephalon. B- Gives rise to the midbrain. C- Gives rise to the pons and cerebellum. D- Gives rise to cerebral hemispheres.
The correct answer is A

 

Question 7. Which one of the following muscles is most likely at risk due to injury of the pelvic floor during the delivery of a large-sized baby?

A- Coccygeus
B- Iliococcygeus
C- Pubococcygeus

C- Pubococcygeus- It is the main portion of levator ani which forms a large part of the pelvic floor.
The correct answer is C

 

Question 8. Which one of the following structures is involved in a case of tarsal tunnel syndrome?

A- Anterior tibial artery
B- Deep peroneal nerve
C- Peroneal artery
D- Tibial nerve

D- Tibial nerve- Tarsal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the tibial nerve as it passes between medial malleolus and calcaneus deep to the flexor retinaculum.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 9. Which one of the following cranial openings is located at the greater wing of sphenoid and contains the middle meningeal artery?

A- Foramen lacerum
B- Foramen ovale
C- Foramen rotundum
D- Foramen spinosum

D- Foramen spinosum- The only structure passes through this opening is the middle meningeal artery. A- Contains internal carotid artery, greater petrosal nerve and deep petrosal nerve. B- Contains mandibular division of trigeminal nerve and accessory meningeal artery. C- Contains maxillary division of trigeminal nerve.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 10. Vertebral artery arises from which one of the following arteries?

A- Common carotid artery
B- External carotid artery
C- Internal carotid artery
D- Subclavian artery

D- Subclavian artery- Vertebral artery arises from the subclavian artery at the root of the neck.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 11. Thrombosis of the appendicular artery is significant due to compression by inflammatory edema. This artery arises directly from which of the following arteries?

A- Inferior mesenteric artery
B- Ileocolic artery
C- Right colic artery
D- Superior mesenteric artery

B- Ileocolic artery- Appendicular artery arises directly from ileocolic artery which is one of the terminal branches of superior mesenteric artery.
The correct answer is B

 

High-yield points from this set

  • Aqueous humor is made by the ciliary epithelium.
  • The ilioinguinal nerve supplies the skin of the root of the penis or labia and anterior scrotum.
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome compresses the tibial nerve.
  • The vertebral artery comes from the subclavian artery.

Keep practicing

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