Embryology: spleen development: 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: spleen development

Sample item

An accessory splenic nodule is found in the greater omentum at surgery. From which embryonic tissue does the spleen develop?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Mesenchyme of the dorsal mesogastrium

The spleen develops from mesenchymal cells in the dorsal mesogastrium, which is why it is attached to the stomach and kidney by the gastrosplenic and splenorenal ligaments. Accessory spleens are common in these folds and in the omentum.

Option by option

  • A. Mesenchyme of the dorsal mesogastrium (correct)

    Correct. The spleen is mesodermal and arises within the dorsal mesogastrium.

  • B. Foregut endoderm of the stomach bud

    The spleen is not an endodermal organ, although it lies beside the stomach.

  • C. Mesenchyme of the ventral mesentery

    The ventral mesentery gives the lesser omentum and falciform ligament.

  • D. Mesenchyme of the septum transversum

    The septum transversum forms the liver stroma and the central tendon of the diaphragm.

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.

More Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is A, Mesenchyme of the dorsal mesogastrium. The spleen develops from mesenchymal cells in the dorsal mesogastrium, which is why it is attached to the stomach and kidney by the gastrosplenic and splenorenal ligaments.

Why is "Foregut endoderm of the stomach bud" not the answer?

The spleen is not an endodermal organ, although it lies beside the stomach.

Why is "Mesenchyme of the ventral mesentery" not the answer?

The ventral mesentery gives the lesser omentum and falciform ligament.

Why is "Mesenchyme of the septum transversum" not the answer?

The septum transversum forms the liver stroma and the central tendon of the diaphragm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Embryology: spleen development in Anatomy. Accessory spleens are common in these folds and in the omentum.

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: spleen development?

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.