Systemic pathology: craniopharyngioma: 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 · Systemic pathology: craniopharyngioma

Sample item

An 8-year-old boy has headaches, bitemporal visual field loss and short stature. Imaging shows a calcified, cystic suprasellar mass containing dark oily fluid. Histology shows epithelium with palisaded edges and plates of wet keratin. From which tissue does this tumour arise?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Remnants of Rathke pouch epithelium

Craniopharyngioma arises from squamous remnants of Rathke pouch. It is the commonest suprasellar tumour in children, causing visual and pituitary problems, and the adamantinomatous type shows wet keratin, calcification and cholesterol-rich fluid.

Option by option

  • A. Anterior pituitary hormone-secreting cells

    Pituitary adenoma arises from hormone-secreting anterior pituitary cells and lacks keratin and calcification.

  • B. Arachnoid cap cells

    Arachnoid cap cells give rise to meningioma, which shows whorls and psammoma bodies.

  • C. Ependymal cells of the third ventricle

    Ependymal cells give rise to ependymoma, with perivascular pseudorosettes.

  • D. Remnants of Rathke pouch epithelium (correct)

    Correct. Remnants of Rathke pouch give rise to craniopharyngioma.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is D, Remnants of Rathke pouch epithelium. Craniopharyngioma arises from squamous remnants of Rathke pouch.

Why is "Anterior pituitary hormone-secreting cells" not the answer?

Pituitary adenoma arises from hormone-secreting anterior pituitary cells and lacks keratin and calcification.

Why is "Arachnoid cap cells" not the answer?

Arachnoid cap cells give rise to meningioma, which shows whorls and psammoma bodies.

Why is "Ependymal cells of the third ventricle" not the answer?

Ependymal cells give rise to ependymoma, with perivascular pseudorosettes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic pathology: craniopharyngioma in Pathology. It is the commonest suprasellar tumour in children, causing visual and pituitary problems, and the adamantinomatous type shows wet keratin, calcification and cholesterol-rich fluid.

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 Systemic pathology: craniopharyngioma?

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.