All Free Pathology MCQs with Answers

Every Pathology question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

289 questions · page 7 of 15

  • A. Severe generalized swelling
  • B. Abnormal inflammatory process
  • C. Absence of proliferation of vessels following inflammation
  • D. Presence of pus

Explanation: Anasarca is severe, generalized oedema involving much of the body, usually due to disorders such as heart failure, renal disease or severe…

Correct answer: Severe generalized swelling
  • A. Ascending oaorta
  • B. Deep leg veins
  • C. Portal vein
  • D. Right atrium

Explanation: Most pulmonary thromboemboli arise from deep venous thromboses in the legs, particularly the calf, femoral or iliac veins.

Correct answer: Deep leg veins
  • A. Ecchymosis - large extravasation of blood in to the skin and mucous membrane
  • B. Purpura - small areas (1cm) of hemorrhage in to the skin and mucous membrane
  • C. All of the above
  • D. petechiae - small pin point hemorrhages

Explanation: Petechiae are pinpoint haemorrhages, purpura are intermediate small haemorrhages, and ecchymoses are larger areas of blood extravasation.

Correct answer: All of the above
  • A. Clot formation
  • B. Infarction
  • C. Embolism
  • D. Thrombosis

Explanation: Thrombosis is the formation of a solid mass from blood constituents within the vascular system during life.

Correct answer: Thrombosis
  • A. Endothelial damage
  • B. Hypercoagulability
  • C. Alteration in blood flow
  • D. Fatty streak

Explanation: Endothelial injury exposes thrombogenic subendothelial components and promotes platelet adhesion and coagulation, making it a major…

Correct answer: Endothelial damage
  • A. Oedema of legs
  • B. Oedema of spleen
  • C. Oedema of lungs
  • D. Oedema of liver

Explanation: Left-sided heart failure raises pressure in the pulmonary veins and capillaries, forcing fluid into the lung interstitium and alveoli.

Correct answer: Oedema of lungs
  • A. Pulmonary embolism
  • B. None of the above
  • C. Congestive heart failure
  • D. Arrhythmias

Explanation: Ventricular arrhythmias, especially ventricular fibrillation, are the leading cause of sudden death soon after myocardial infarction.

Correct answer: Arrhythmias
  • A. Lung
  • B. Liver
  • C. Kidney
  • D. Spleen

Explanation: Pale, or anemic, infarcts occur in solid organs with end-arterial circulation such as the kidney, spleen and heart.

Correct answer: Lung
  • A. Fatty streak
  • B. Atheroma
  • C. Fibrous plaque
  • D. None of the above

Explanation: The fatty streak is the earliest visible lesion of atherosclerosis and consists of lipid-laden foam cells in the intima.

Correct answer: Fatty streak
  • A. Aorta - Aneurysm, thromboembolism
  • B. All of the above
  • C. Lower extremities - claudication gangrene
  • D. Heart - MI, Ischemic heart disease

Explanation: Atherosclerosis can cause aortic aneurysm and thromboembolism, coronary ischemia and myocardial infarction, and peripheral claudication or…

Correct answer: All of the above
  • A. Intestines
  • B. Kidneys
  • C. Lungs
  • D. Heart

Explanation: Most venous emboli travel through the right side of the heart and lodge in the pulmonary arteries, producing pulmonary thromboembolism.

Correct answer: Lungs
  • A. Lung
  • B. Kidney
  • C. Spleen
  • D. Heart

Explanation: Pulmonary infarcts are classically hemorrhagic because the lungs receive blood from both the pulmonary and bronchial circulations.

Correct answer: Lung
  • A. Intestines
  • B. Lungs
  • C. Kidneys
  • D. Heart

Explanation: Venous emboli are carried to the lungs by the venous circulation and right heart, so the pulmonary arteries are their most frequent site…

Correct answer: Lungs
  • A. Liver
  • B. Lung
  • C. Both A and B
  • D. Kidney

Explanation: Infarcts are uncommon in both the liver and lung because each has a dual blood supply, which can maintain tissue viability after blockage…

Correct answer: Both A and B
  • A. Ovary
  • B. Lung
  • C. Intestine
  • D. Heart

Explanation: The heart commonly develops a pale infarct because it is supplied by relatively end-arterial coronary vessels.

Correct answer: Heart
  • A. All of the above
  • B. Hypertension
  • C. Diabetes
  • D. Smoking

Explanation: Smoking, hypertension, and diabetes each promote endothelial injury, lipid deposition, or vascular inflammation, so all are established…

Correct answer: All of the above
  • A. Coronary artery
  • B. Abdominal aorta
  • C. Thoracic aorta
  • D. Internal carotid artery

Explanation: The abdominal aorta, especially below the renal arteries and near the bifurcation, is the commonest major site of atherosclerotic…

Correct answer: Abdominal aorta
  • A. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT)
  • B. Lactic Dehydrogenase (LDH)
  • C. Serum ornithine carbamyl transferase (SOCT)
  • D. Creatine phospho kinase (CPK)

Explanation: Myocardial infarction commonly raises CK, LDH, and SGOT levels because these enzymes are released from injured cardiac muscle.

Correct answer: Serum ornithine carbamyl transferase (SOCT)
  • A. Systemic venous congestion
  • B. Oedematous ankles
  • C. Enlargement of spleen and liver
  • D. Chronic venous congestion of lungs

Explanation: Left-sided cardiac failure backs blood up into the pulmonary circulation, producing chronic passive congestion of the lungs with brown…

Correct answer: Chronic venous congestion of lungs
  • A. Pattern of blood flow
  • B. Hyper coagulability of blood
  • C. Altered blood flow
  • D. Endothelial injury

Explanation: Virchow's triad consists of endothelial injury, hypercoagulability, and abnormal blood flow, including stasis or turbulence.

Correct answer: Pattern of blood flow