Histology: capillary 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: capillary types

Sample item

Albumin and other plasma proteins pass freely from blood into the space of Disse in the liver. Which capillary type lines the hepatic sinusoids?

AContinuous capillary with tight junctionsBFenestrated capillary with diaphragms across the poresCFenestrated capillary without diaphragms over a thick basement membraneDDiscontinuous capillary with large gaps and an incomplete basement membrane

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Discontinuous capillary with large gaps and an incomplete basement membrane

Hepatic sinusoids are discontinuous capillaries with wide intercellular gaps, large fenestrae and a discontinuous basement membrane, which allows exchange of large molecules. Bone marrow and spleen also have this type. Continuous capillaries are found in muscle and brain, and fenestrated types in endocrine glands, intestinal villi and the glomerulus.

Option by option

A. Continuous capillary with tight junctions
Continuous capillaries with tight junctions form the blood-brain barrier and restrict protein passage.
B. Fenestrated capillary with diaphragms across the pores
Fenestrated capillaries with diaphragms occur in endocrine glands and intestinal villi.
C. Fenestrated capillary without diaphragms over a thick basement membrane
The glomerulus has fenestrated capillaries without diaphragms on a thick basement membrane.
D. Discontinuous capillary with large gaps and an incomplete basement membrane (correct)
Correct. Large gaps and an incomplete basement membrane allow proteins to enter the space of Disse.

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.

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Discontinuous capillary with large gaps and an incomplete basement membrane. Hepatic sinusoids are discontinuous capillaries with wide intercellular gaps, large fenestrae and a discontinuous basement membrane, which allows exchange of large molecules.

Why is "Continuous capillary with tight junctions" not the answer?

Continuous capillaries with tight junctions form the blood-brain barrier and restrict protein passage.

Why is "Fenestrated capillary with diaphragms across the pores" not the answer?

Fenestrated capillaries with diaphragms occur in endocrine glands and intestinal villi.

Why is "Fenestrated capillary without diaphragms over a thick basement membra…" not the answer?

The glomerulus has fenestrated capillaries without diaphragms on a thick basement membrane.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Histology: capillary types in Anatomy. Bone marrow and spleen also have this type. Continuous capillaries are found in muscle and brain, and fenestrated types in endocrine glands, intestinal villi and the glomerulus.

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: capillary 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.