Embryology: gut rotation: 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: gut rotation

Sample item

Failure of the embryonic midgut to return to the abdominal cavity results in bowel herniation covered by a membrane at the umbilicus. What is this defect?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Omphalocele

Omphalocele results from failure of midgut return and is covered by peritoneum and amnion. Gastroschisis is a paraumbilical wall defect without a covering membrane.

Option by option

  • A. Umbilical hernia of infancy

    Infant umbilical hernia passes through a closed cord ring and is skin covered.

  • B. Gastroschisis

    Gastroschisis lacks a protective sac and is usually right of the umbilicus.

  • C. Omphalocele (correct)

    Correct. Membrane-covered herniation through the umbilical ring is omphalocele.

  • D. Meckel diverticulum

    Meckel diverticulum is a vitelline-duct remnant in ileum.

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 C, Omphalocele. Omphalocele results from failure of midgut return and is covered by peritoneum and amnion.

Why is "Umbilical hernia of infancy" not the answer?

Infant umbilical hernia passes through a closed cord ring and is skin covered.

Why is "Gastroschisis" not the answer?

Gastroschisis lacks a protective sac and is usually right of the umbilicus.

Why is "Meckel diverticulum" not the answer?

Meckel diverticulum is a vitelline-duct remnant in ileum.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Embryology: gut rotation in Anatomy. Gastroschisis is a paraumbilical wall defect without a covering membrane.

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: gut rotation?

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.