Systemic pathology: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue: 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: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue

Sample item

Colonoscopy in a 62-year-old shows multiple outpouchings in the sigmoid colon. Histology shows mucosa and submucosa herniating through the muscularis at sites where vasa recta penetrate. How are these diverticula classified?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Acquired pulsion false diverticula

Sigmoid diverticula are acquired outpouchings of mucosa and submucosa only, pushed out by high intraluminal pressure at weak points. They lack muscularis propria, so they are false diverticula.

Option by option

  • A. Traction diverticula

    Traction diverticula are pulled out by adjacent inflammation, for example mediastinal nodes on the oesophagus.

  • B. Congenital true diverticula

    True diverticula contain all layers of the wall, as in Meckel diverticulum.

  • C. Heterotopic pancreatic rests

    Pancreatic rests are choristomas and do not form outpouchings of the lumen.

  • D. Acquired pulsion false diverticula (correct)

    Correct. They are pulsion diverticula without a muscular wall.

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 Pathology questions

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is D, Acquired pulsion false diverticula. Sigmoid diverticula are acquired outpouchings of mucosa and submucosa only, pushed out by high intraluminal pressure at weak points.

Why is "Traction diverticula" not the answer?

Traction diverticula are pulled out by adjacent inflammation, for example mediastinal nodes on the oesophagus.

Why is "Congenital true diverticula" not the answer?

True diverticula contain all layers of the wall, as in Meckel diverticulum.

Why is "Heterotopic pancreatic rests" not the answer?

Pancreatic rests are choristomas and do not form outpouchings of the lumen.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic pathology: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue in Pathology. They lack muscularis propria, so they are false diverticula.

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: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue?

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.