Vascular Pathology Practice Questions

Q: Glomus tumor arises from which of the following cell types?

Modified smooth muscle cells. **Explanation:** **Glomus tumor** (glomangioma) is a benign, exquisitely painful tumor arising from the **glomus body**, a specialized arteriovenous anastomosis involved in thermoregulation. 1. **Why Option A is correct:** The glomus body consists of an afferent arteriole, a venous channel, and a connective tissue capsule. The tumor originates from **modified smooth muscle cells** (glomus cells) located in the wall of the Sucquet-Hoyer canal (the specialized AV shunt). Histologically, these cells appear as small, uniform, round-to-oval cells with "punched-out" nuclei and scant cytoplasm, often arranged in nests around thin-walled vascular spaces. 2. **Why incorrect options are wrong:** * **B. Modified skeletal muscle cells:** Glomus tumors are vascular in origin; skeletal muscle is not a component of the thermoregulatory glomus body. * **C. Merkel discs:** These are mechanoreceptors in the skin [1]. While both are located in the dermis, Merkel cells are neuroendocrine in nature, not myogenic. * **D. Melanocytes:** These are pigment-producing cells. While subungual melanoma is a differential for a nail bed lesion, it does not share the same cellular origin as a glomus tumor. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Classic Triad:** Paroxysmal pain, pinpoint tenderness, and hypersensitivity to cold. * **Most Common Site:** The **subungual region** (under the fingernails). * **Appearance:** Small, firm, red-blue nodules. * **Immunohistochemistry (IHC):** Positive for **SMA (Smooth Muscle Actin)** and Vimentin; negative for S100 and cytokeratin. * **Treatment:** Simple surgical excision is curative. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Skin, pp. 1144-1146.

Q: What is the most common site for an aneurysm?

Anterior communicating artery. **Explanation:** The question refers specifically to **Berry (Saccular) Aneurysms**, which are the most common type of intracranial aneurysm [1]. These occur due to a congenital thinness of the tunica media, typically at the branching points of the Circle of Willis [1]. **1. Why Option C is Correct:** The **Anterior Communicating Artery (ACoA)** is the single most common site for Berry aneurysms, accounting for approximately **30–35%** of all cases [1]. These aneurysms are clinically significant because their rupture leads to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), often presenting as the "worst headache of life" [2]. **2. Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Internal Carotid Artery (ICA):** The junction of the ICA and the Posterior Communicating Artery is the *second* most common site (approx. 30–35%) [1]. * **Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA):** This is the third most common site (approx. 20%) [1]. While common, it is statistically less frequent than the ACoA. * **Vertebrobasilar System:** This posterior circulation site accounts for only about 10% of Berry aneurysms [1]. **3. NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Most common cause of SAH:** Trauma (overall); Ruptured Berry aneurysm (non-traumatic/spontaneous) [2]. * **Associated Conditions:** Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and Coarctation of the Aorta [1], [2]. * **Risk Factors:** Smoking and Hypertension are the most important modifiable risk factors for formation and rupture [1], [2]. * **Clinical Sign:** Aneurysms at the ICA-Posterior Communicating junction can cause **3rd Cranial Nerve Palsy** (pupil-involving) due to compression. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Central Nervous System, p. 1272. [2] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Manifestations Of Central And Peripheral Nervous System Disease, pp. 705-706.

Question 1

Onion skin thickening of the arteriolar wall is seen in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Hyperplastic arteriolosclerosis

Answer

Atherosclerosis

Answer

Median calcific sclerosis

Answer

Hyaline arteriolosclerosis

Question 2

Atherosclerosis impedes coronary blood flow by which of the following mechanisms?

Accepted Answer

Plaques obstruct the artery

Answer

Plaques obstruct the vein

Answer

Blood clots form outside the vessel wall

Answer

Hardened vessels dilate to allow blood to flow through

Question 3

Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease) is associated with which of the following HLA types?

Accepted Answer

HLA - B5

Answer

HLA - DR4

Answer

HLA - DR2

Answer

HLA - B27

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT true about Churg-Strauss syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Intravascular granulomas

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Multisystem involvement of vessels

Answer

Peripheral eosinophilia

Question 5

Glomus tumor arises from which of the following cell types?

Accepted Answer

Modified smooth muscle cells

Answer

Modified skeletal muscle cells

Answer

Merkel discs

Answer

Melanocytes

Question 6

What is the most common site for an aneurysm?

Accepted Answer

Anterior communicating artery

Answer

Middle cerebral artery

Answer

Vertebrobasilar system

Answer

Internal carotid artery

Question 7

All of the following are small vessel vasculitis, except?

Accepted Answer

Polyarteritis nodosa

Answer

Wegener's granulomatosis

Answer

Microscopic polyangiitis

Answer

Henoch-Schonlein purpura

Question 8

A 22-year-old construction worker falls 30 ft and fractures several bones, including his femoral shafts. Six hours later, the patient develops shortness of breath and cyanosis. Which of the following hemodynamic disorders best explains the pathogenesis of shock in this patient?

Accepted Answer

Fat embolism

Answer

Acute myocardial infarction

Answer

Deep venous thrombosis

Answer

Paradoxical embolism

Question 9

Which of the following statements is false regarding polyarteritis nodosa?

Accepted Answer

Bronchial arteries are most commonly involved

Answer

Associated with hairy cell leukemia

Answer

ANCA negative

Answer

Granulomas are not seen

Question 10

What is the earliest event of vascular trauma?

Accepted Answer

Vasoconstriction

Answer

Platelet adhesion

Answer

Platelet aggregation

Answer

Vasodilation

Vascular Pathology — MCQs

Vascular Pathology — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?