Histology: collagen types: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Histology: collagen types

Sample item

A pathologist applies a silver impregnation stain to a spleen section to demonstrate the delicate meshwork of reticular fibres supporting the red pulp. Which collagen type forms these fibres, and is also the protein defective in vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Type III collagen

Reticular fibres are thin type III collagen fibres that stain black with silver and form the supporting framework of the spleen, lymph nodes, liver and bone marrow. Mutations in COL3A1 cause vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, with arterial and bowel rupture.

Option by option

  • A. Type II collagen

    Type II collagen is the main collagen of hyaline cartilage and the vitreous.

  • B. Type IV collagen

    Type IV collagen forms the sheet-like network of basement membranes, not fibres.

  • C. Type III collagen (correct)

    Correct. Type III collagen is the collagen of reticulin and of distensible hollow organs and vessels.

  • D. Type I collagen

    Type I collagen forms thick fibres in bone, tendon and skin and is not the reticulin fibre.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is C, Type III collagen. Reticular fibres are thin type III collagen fibres that stain black with silver and form the supporting framework of the spleen, lymph nodes, liver and bone marrow.

Why is "Type II collagen" not the answer?

Type II collagen is the main collagen of hyaline cartilage and the vitreous.

Why is "Type IV collagen" not the answer?

Type IV collagen forms the sheet-like network of basement membranes, not fibres.

Why is "Type I collagen" not the answer?

Type I collagen forms thick fibres in bone, tendon and skin and is not the reticulin fibre.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Histology: collagen types in Anatomy. Mutations in COL3A1 cause vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, with arterial and bowel rupture.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Histology: collagen types?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.