Embryology: optic cup: 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: optic cup

Sample item

A child has a keyhole-shaped pupil with a notch in the inferior iris. Failure of closure of which embryonic structure is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Choroid fissure of the optic cup

The choroid (retinal) fissure is a groove on the inferior surface of the optic cup and stalk through which the hyaloid vessels enter. Failure of its closure leaves an inferior coloboma of the iris, and possibly retina and choroid.

Option by option

  • A. Optic stalk elongation

    Optic stalk elongation is not a closure event and does not produce a coloboma.

  • B. Choroid fissure of the optic cup (correct)

    Correct. An unclosed choroid fissure gives an inferior coloboma and a keyhole pupil.

  • C. Lens vesicle separation

    Failure of lens vesicle separation affects the lens and anterior chamber, not a notched iris.

  • D. Hyaloid artery regression

    Hyaloid artery regression failure leaves a persistent vessel in the vitreous.

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 B, Choroid fissure of the optic cup. The choroid (retinal) fissure is a groove on the inferior surface of the optic cup and stalk through which the hyaloid vessels enter.

Why is "Optic stalk elongation" not the answer?

Optic stalk elongation is not a closure event and does not produce a coloboma.

Why is "Lens vesicle separation" not the answer?

Failure of lens vesicle separation affects the lens and anterior chamber, not a notched iris.

Why is "Hyaloid artery regression" not the answer?

Hyaloid artery regression failure leaves a persistent vessel in the vitreous.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Embryology: optic cup in Anatomy. Failure of its closure leaves an inferior coloboma of the iris, and possibly retina and choroid.

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: optic cup?

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.