Embryology: urachus: 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: urachus

Sample item

A 2-week-old boy has clear fluid leaking from the umbilicus that increases when he cries, and the fluid has a high creatinine level. Which embryonic structure has failed to obliterate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Urachus (allantoic stalk)

The urachus is the remnant of the allantois connecting the apex of the fetal bladder to the umbilicus. Normally it obliterates to form the median umbilical ligament. A patent urachus leaks urine from the umbilicus, and partial persistence can form a urachal cyst or sinus.

Option by option

  • A. Urachus (allantoic stalk) (correct)

    Correct. A patent urachus allows urine to escape through the umbilicus.

  • B. Right umbilical vein

    The right umbilical vein normally regresses early and does not communicate with the bladder.

  • C. Ductus venosus

    The ductus venosus is an intrahepatic shunt and does not reach the umbilicus.

  • D. Vitelline duct

    A patent vitelline duct discharges faecal or enteric contents, not urine.

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 A, Urachus (allantoic stalk). The urachus is the remnant of the allantois connecting the apex of the fetal bladder to the umbilicus.

Why is "Right umbilical vein" not the answer?

The right umbilical vein normally regresses early and does not communicate with the bladder.

Why is "Ductus venosus" not the answer?

The ductus venosus is an intrahepatic shunt and does not reach the umbilicus.

Why is "Vitelline duct" not the answer?

A patent vitelline duct discharges faecal or enteric contents, not urine.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Embryology: urachus in Anatomy. Normally it obliterates to form the median umbilical ligament. A patent urachus leaks urine from the umbilicus, and partial persistence can form a urachal cyst or sinus.

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: urachus?

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.