Abdominal and GI imaging: first structure in a gestational sac: practice question

A Radiology 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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Radiology · Abdominal and GI imaging: first structure in a gestational sac

Sample item

A woman at about 5 weeks of amenorrhoea has a positive pregnancy test. Transvaginal ultrasound shows an intrauterine gestational sac. Which structure is normally seen first within the sac?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Yolk sac

The yolk sac is the first structure visible inside a normal gestational sac, followed by the embryo and its cardiac activity at about 6 weeks. Absence of a yolk sac in a sac of sufficient size raises concern for a failing pregnancy. The cord develops later.

Option by option

  • A. Yolk sac (correct)

    Correct. The yolk sac appears first.

  • B. Umbilical cord

    The cord forms later as the embryo elongates.

  • C. Fetal pole with cardiac activity

    The embryo with a heartbeat appears a little later.

  • D. Amnion with a double bleb

    The amnion becomes distinct after the embryo is seen.

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 Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Yolk sac. The yolk sac is the first structure visible inside a normal gestational sac, followed by the embryo and its cardiac activity at about 6 weeks.

Why is "Umbilical cord" not the answer?

The cord forms later as the embryo elongates.

Why is "Fetal pole with cardiac activity" not the answer?

The embryo with a heartbeat appears a little later.

Why is "Amnion with a double bleb" not the answer?

The amnion becomes distinct after the embryo is seen.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdominal and GI imaging: first structure in a gestational sac in Radiology. Absence of a yolk sac in a sac of sufficient size raises concern for a failing pregnancy. The cord develops later.

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 Abdominal and GI imaging: first structure in a gestational sac?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.