General anatomy and histology: Merkel cell: 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 · General anatomy and histology: Merkel cell

Sample item

A basal epidermal cell contains dense-core granules, is attached to keratinocytes by desmosomes and forms a disc-like contact with a sensory axon as a slowly adapting touch receptor. Which cell is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Merkel cell

Merkel cells are neuroendocrine-type cells in the basal epidermis that act with their nerve terminal as slowly adapting mechanoreceptors for fine touch. They are numerous in fingertips.

Option by option

  • A. Merkel cell (correct)

    Correct. Dense-core granules plus a disc contact with an axon identify this touch cell.

  • B. Melanocyte

    This cell makes melanin in melanosomes and has no sensory axon contact.

  • C. Keratinocyte

    This is the main structural epidermal cell and lacks dense-core granules.

  • D. Langerhans cell

    This is an antigen-presenting dendritic cell, identified by Birbeck granules.

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, Merkel cell. Merkel cells are neuroendocrine-type cells in the basal epidermis that act with their nerve terminal as slowly adapting mechanoreceptors for fine touch.

Why is "Melanocyte" not the answer?

This cell makes melanin in melanosomes and has no sensory axon contact.

Why is "Keratinocyte" not the answer?

This is the main structural epidermal cell and lacks dense-core granules.

Why is "Langerhans cell" not the answer?

This is an antigen-presenting dendritic cell, identified by Birbeck granules.

What concept does this question test?

It tests General anatomy and histology: Merkel cell in Anatomy. They are numerous in fingertips.

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 General anatomy and histology: Merkel cell?

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.