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

A multiparous woman with a previous caesarean section and placenta praevia needs a hysterectomy after the placenta fails to separate. The specimen shows chorionic villi attached directly to the myometrium. Which layer is missing?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Decidua basalis

In placenta accreta the decidua basalis, which normally limits villous invasion, is absent. Previous uterine surgery and praevia are the main risks, and it causes severe postpartum haemorrhage.

Option by option

  • A. Decidua parietalis

    Decidua parietalis lines the rest of the uterine cavity and does not control placental attachment.

  • B. Cytotrophoblast shell

    The cytotrophoblast shell forms part of the fetal placenta and is present in accreta.

  • C. Chorionic plate

    The chorionic plate is the fetal surface of the placenta and is unaffected.

  • D. Decidua basalis (correct)

    Correct. Without decidua basalis the villi adhere to the myometrium.

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, Decidua basalis. In placenta accreta the decidua basalis, which normally limits villous invasion, is absent.

Why is "Decidua parietalis" not the answer?

Decidua parietalis lines the rest of the uterine cavity and does not control placental attachment.

Why is "Cytotrophoblast shell" not the answer?

The cytotrophoblast shell forms part of the fetal placenta and is present in accreta.

Why is "Chorionic plate" not the answer?

The chorionic plate is the fetal surface of the placenta and is unaffected.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic pathology: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue in Pathology. Previous uterine surgery and praevia are the main risks, and it causes severe postpartum haemorrhage.

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.