Embryology: gastroschisis: 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.

Try it

Anatomy · Embryology: gastroschisis

Sample item

A newborn has loops of bowel outside the abdomen through a defect just to the right of a normally inserted umbilical cord. There is no covering sac and the bowel is thickened and matted. What is the diagnosis?

APatent urachusBUmbilical herniaCGastroschisisDOmphalocele

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Gastroschisis

Gastroschisis is a full-thickness paraumbilical abdominal wall defect, usually on the right, with eviscerated bowel that has no membrane covering. It is rarely associated with chromosomal anomalies, unlike omphalocele.

Option by option

A. Patent urachus
A patent urachus leaks urine from the umbilicus and does not herniate bowel.
B. Umbilical hernia
An umbilical hernia is covered by skin and does not expose the bowel.
C. Gastroschisis (correct)
Correct. A paraumbilical defect with uncovered bowel and a normal cord insertion is typical.
D. Omphalocele
Omphalocele has a covering sac and the cord inserts on the sac.

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 C, Gastroschisis. Gastroschisis is a full-thickness paraumbilical abdominal wall defect, usually on the right, with eviscerated bowel that has no membrane covering.

Why is "Patent urachus" not the answer?

A patent urachus leaks urine from the umbilicus and does not herniate bowel.

Why is "Umbilical hernia" not the answer?

An umbilical hernia is covered by skin and does not expose the bowel.

Why is "Omphalocele" not the answer?

Omphalocele has a covering sac and the cord inserts on the sac.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Embryology: gastroschisis in Anatomy. It is rarely associated with chromosomal anomalies, unlike omphalocele.

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: gastroschisis?

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.