Neoplasia: glomus tumour: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Neoplasia: glomus tumour

Sample item

A 40-year-old woman has a bluish nodule under the fingernail that is exquisitely tender and sensitive to cold. Excision shows nests of uniform round cells around vascular channels. From which cells does this tumour arise?

AMelanocytes of the nail matrixBModified smooth muscle cells of the glomus bodyCEndothelial cells of the capillary bedDSchwann cells of a digital nerve

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Modified smooth muscle cells of the glomus body

A glomus tumour arises from the modified smooth muscle cells of the glomus body, a neuromyoarterial structure involved in thermoregulation, and is commonly subungual. Pain and cold sensitivity are typical. It is benign and treated by excision.

Option by option

A. Melanocytes of the nail matrix
Melanocyte tumours of the nail matrix cause pigmented lesions and longitudinal melanonychia.
B. Modified smooth muscle cells of the glomus body (correct)
Correct. Glomus cells are modified perivascular smooth muscle cells.
C. Endothelial cells of the capillary bed
Endothelial cell tumours form vascular channels lined by atypical endothelium, as in angiosarcoma.
D. Schwann cells of a digital nerve
Schwann cell tumours such as neuromas present as nerve-related nodules without this vascular pattern.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is B, Modified smooth muscle cells of the glomus body. A glomus tumour arises from the modified smooth muscle cells of the glomus body, a neuromyoarterial structure involved in thermoregulation, and is commonly subungual.

Why is "Melanocytes of the nail matrix" not the answer?

Melanocyte tumours of the nail matrix cause pigmented lesions and longitudinal melanonychia.

Why is "Endothelial cells of the capillary bed" not the answer?

Endothelial cell tumours form vascular channels lined by atypical endothelium, as in angiosarcoma.

Why is "Schwann cells of a digital nerve" not the answer?

Schwann cell tumours such as neuromas present as nerve-related nodules without this vascular pattern.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: glomus tumour in Pathology. Pain and cold sensitivity are typical. It is benign and treated by excision.

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 Neoplasia: glomus tumour?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.