Haemodynamics: pulmonary infarct: 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 · Haemodynamics: pulmonary infarct

Sample item

A 55-year-old dies after a pulmonary embolism that occluded a peripheral branch. At autopsy, the lung shows a wedge-shaped, dark red lesion with its base at the pleura. Why is this infarct red and not pale?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Dual blood supply and loose spongy tissue allow haemorrhage

Lung infarcts are red (haemorrhagic) because the bronchial circulation supplies blood to the infarct and spongy tissue lets it collect. Solid organs with single supply and dense stroma, such as kidney, give pale infarcts.

Option by option

  • A. Absence of collateral supply

    Absent collateral supply produces a pale infarct, the opposite picture.

  • B. Rapid reperfusion of the occluded artery

    Reperfusion occurs in some infarcts, but this is not the main reason for lung haemorrhage.

  • C. Dual blood supply and loose spongy tissue allow haemorrhage (correct)

    Correct. Bronchial collateral blood leaks into loose lung tissue, giving a haemorrhagic infarct.

  • D. Dense stroma preventing blood seepage

    Dense stroma limits seepage of blood and is a feature of pale infarcts.

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 C, Dual blood supply and loose spongy tissue allow haemorrhage. Lung infarcts are red (haemorrhagic) because the bronchial circulation supplies blood to the infarct and spongy tissue lets it collect.

Why is "Absence of collateral supply" not the answer?

Absent collateral supply produces a pale infarct, the opposite picture.

Why is "Rapid reperfusion of the occluded artery" not the answer?

Reperfusion occurs in some infarcts, but this is not the main reason for lung haemorrhage.

Why is "Dense stroma preventing blood seepage" not the answer?

Dense stroma limits seepage of blood and is a feature of pale infarcts.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haemodynamics: pulmonary infarct in Pathology. Solid organs with single supply and dense stroma, such as kidney, give pale infarcts.

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 Haemodynamics: pulmonary infarct?

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.