General anatomy and histology: 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 · General anatomy and histology

Sample item

A jejunal biopsy shows pyramidal cells at the base of the crypts with bright eosinophilic apical granules. What do these cells chiefly secrete?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Lysozyme and defensins

Paneth cells sit at the crypt base of the small intestine and secrete lysozyme and defensins that control the gut flora. Enteroendocrine cells make the hormones and goblet cells make mucin.

Option by option

  • A. Neutral mucin

    Neutral mucin is secreted by goblet and surface mucous cells, which have pale apical vacuoles.

  • B. Lysozyme and defensins (correct)

    Correct. Paneth cell granules hold antimicrobial lysozyme and defensins.

  • C. Intrinsic factor

    Intrinsic factor is made by gastric parietal cells and not in the small intestine.

  • D. Gastrin and somatostatin

    Gastrin and somatostatin come from enteroendocrine cells, not from granular crypt-base cells.

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 Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is B, Lysozyme and defensins. Paneth cells sit at the crypt base of the small intestine and secrete lysozyme and defensins that control the gut flora.

Why is "Neutral mucin" not the answer?

Neutral mucin is secreted by goblet and surface mucous cells, which have pale apical vacuoles.

Why is "Intrinsic factor" not the answer?

Intrinsic factor is made by gastric parietal cells and not in the small intestine.

Why is "Gastrin and somatostatin" not the answer?

Gastrin and somatostatin come from enteroendocrine cells, not from granular crypt-base cells.

What concept does this question test?

It tests General anatomy and histology in Anatomy. Enteroendocrine cells make the hormones and goblet cells make mucin.

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 General anatomy and histology?

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.