Embryology: umbilical cord: 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 · Embryology: umbilical cord

Sample item

A mid-trimester anomaly scan shows a two-vessel umbilical cord with one artery and one vein. Which associated findings should the obstetrician look for?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Renal, cardiac and other structural anomalies, and aneuploidy such as trisomy 18

The normal cord contains two umbilical arteries carrying deoxygenated blood to the placenta and one umbilical vein carrying oxygenated blood to the fetus, embedded in Wharton jelly. A single umbilical artery is associated with renal, cardiac and gastrointestinal anomalies and with trisomy 18. A detailed scan is therefore recommended.

Option by option

  • A. Renal, cardiac and other structural anomalies, and aneuploidy such as trisomy 18 (correct)

    Correct. Single umbilical artery is linked with renal and cardiac malformations and aneuploidy.

  • B. Neural tube defects only

    Neural tube defects are not the typical association of a single umbilical artery.

  • C. Cleft lip and palate only

    Isolated orofacial clefts are not the typical association.

  • D. Limb reduction defects only

    Limb reduction defects are not the typical association.

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.

More Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is A, Renal, cardiac and other structural anomalies, and aneuploidy such as trisomy 18. The normal cord contains two umbilical arteries carrying deoxygenated blood to the placenta and one umbilical vein carrying oxygenated blood to the fetus, embedded in Wharton jelly.

Why is "Neural tube defects only" not the answer?

Neural tube defects are not the typical association of a single umbilical artery.

Why is "Cleft lip and palate only" not the answer?

Isolated orofacial clefts are not the typical association.

Why is "Limb reduction defects only" not the answer?

Limb reduction defects are not the typical association.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Embryology: umbilical cord in Anatomy. A single umbilical artery is associated with renal, cardiac and gastrointestinal anomalies and with trisomy 18. A detailed scan is therefore recommended.

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 Embryology: umbilical cord?

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.