MLT GlobeAnatomy: Digestive system
38 Anatomy MCQs on Digestive system with answers and explanations.
A student lists the layers of the gut wall. Which listed layer does NOT belong to the alimentary tract?
The gut wall has mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa and serosa/adventitia. Endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus.
The layer of peritoneum lining the inner surface of the abdominal wall is called:
Parietal peritoneum lines the cavity walls; visceral peritoneum covers organs. Mesentery and omenta are double folds connecting organs.
Which layer of the gut wall comes into direct contact with ingested food?
The mucosa lines the lumen and handles secretion and absorption. The serosa is the outermost layer facing the peritoneal cavity.
Which structure does NOT form a boundary of the oral cavity?
The mouth is bounded by lips, cheeks, palate and tongue/floor. The oesophagus begins far lower, after the pharynx.
The pancreas is best classified as a:
Pancreatic acini secrete digestive enzymes into the duodenum, while islets of Langerhans secrete insulin and glucagon into blood; hence serum amylase/lipase and glucose tests.
The superior (diaphragmatic) surface of the liver lies directly beneath the:
The liver sits under the right dome of the diaphragm, which is why it moves downward on deep inspiration and can be palpated then.
Which is the longest segment of the small intestine?
The ileum forms about three-fifths of the small intestine distal to the duodenum and absorbs vitamin B12 and bile salts. The caecum is large intestine.
Bile made by the liver is stored and concentrated in the:
The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile between meals and releases it into the duodenum in response to cholecystokinin.
Pancreatic juice enters the gut through the major duodenal papilla into the:
The pancreatic duct joins the common bile duct at the ampulla of Vater, opening into the second part of the duodenum.
Which two ducts join to form the common bile duct?
The cystic duct from the gallbladder joins the common hepatic duct to form the bile duct. The right and left hepatic ducts form the common hepatic duct.
Which apron-like peritoneal fold hangs down from the greater curvature of the stomach?
The greater omentum hangs from the greater curvature over the intestines. The lesser omentum joins the lesser curvature to the liver.
Bile and pancreatic juice enter the duodenum through the ampulla guarded by which sphincter?
The sphincter of Oddi controls flow from the hepatopancreatic ampulla at the major duodenal papilla.
Which structure is part of the alimentary tract itself rather than an accessory digestive organ?
The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine. The liver, pancreas and salivary glands are accessory organs that deliver secretions into the tract.
How is the oesophagus positioned relative to the trachea in the neck?
The C-shaped tracheal rings are open at the back, where trachealis muscle lies against the oesophagus. This lets the oesophagus expand during swallowing.
By about what age have all 20 primary (deciduous) teeth normally erupted?
Primary teeth start erupting about 6 months and are complete by about 24-30 months. Permanent teeth begin to appear around 6 years.
Which organ has an extra inner oblique layer of smooth muscle in addition to circular and longitudinal layers?
The stomach wall has oblique, circular and longitudinal muscle layers, which allow churning of food. The rest of the GI tract has only circular and longitudinal layers.
Which organ is the largest gland and the largest solid internal organ of the body?
The adult liver weighs about 1.2-1.5 kg and is the largest gland and internal organ. The skin is the largest organ overall.
The part of the colon that runs as an S-shaped loop from the pelvic brim to the rectum is the:
The sigmoid colon forms an S-shaped curve in the pelvis before joining the rectum. The caecum is a blind pouch at the start of the large intestine.
Which lobe of the liver is the largest?
The right lobe makes up most of the liver's mass. The caudate and quadrate lobes are small parts seen on the inferior and posterior surfaces.
Which structure lies directly anterior to the left kidney rather than the right?
The pancreatic tail, stomach and spleen relate to the left kidney. The duodenum, right liver lobe and ascending colon lie in front of the right kidney.