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Anatomy and embryology medical question bank

Practise every anatomy and embryology topic with explained SBAs.

Recall Engine has 2,500+ anatomy and embryology questions across 100+ topics in 10+ body systems. Every question explains each option.

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Anatomy and embryology by body system

Anatomy and embryology has 100+ topics in 10+ body systems. Each section shows how many questions it has and every topic it covers.

Cardiovascular

100+ questions across 6 topics. It also has 6 topic notes.

  • Coronary circulation and conducting system
  • Heart and great vessels
  • Heart septation and fetal circulation
  • Heart tube development
  • Mediastinal subdivisions and contents
  • Pericardium and external features of the heart

Respiratory

150+ questions across 6 topics. It also has 6 topic notes.

  • Chest radiograph anatomy
  • Intercostal muscles
  • Lungs and pleura: chest X-ray and CT
  • Pleura and lungs
  • Respiratory tract and diaphragm development
  • Thoracic wall and intercostal spaces

Gastrointestinal and liver

200+ questions across 9 topics. It also has 9 topic notes.

  • Abdominal X-ray, CT, and contrast studies
  • Gut derivatives: small intestine and superior mesenteric artery
  • Gut derivatives: vessels and nerves
  • Mesenteric arteries and retroperitoneum
  • Overview of GI tract applied anatomy
  • Peritoneum: folds, sacs, and pouches
  • Primitive gut development
  • Retroperitoneum
  • The pelvis

Kidney and urinary

20+ questions across 1 topic. It also has 1 topic note.

  • Kidney and urinary tract development

Endocrine and metabolic

30+ questions across 1 topic. It also has 1 topic note.

  • Pituitary and pancreas anatomy

Reproductive and breast

300+ questions across 10+ topics. It also has 10+ topic notes.

  • Breast structure, blood supply, and lymph drainage
  • Cleavage, implantation, and the embryonic disc
  • Conception and contraception
  • Fertilisation and implantation
  • Gametes: ovulation and semen
  • Gametogenesis
  • Gametogenesis and fertilisation
  • Pelvic viscera
  • Pelvic viscera and perineum: radiological anatomy
  • Perineum and male external genitalia
  • Placenta: development and function
  • Sex determination and differentiation
  • Sex determination and germ cells
  • Uterus, tubes, and ovaries

Nervous system

550+ questions across 20+ topics. It also has 20+ topic notes.

  • Basal ganglia and cerebral white matter
  • Blood supply of the brain
  • Brain arteries and veins
  • Brain stem and spinal cord: transverse sections
  • Brain stem stroke syndromes
  • Brainstem infarction syndromes
  • Brainstem tracts
  • Brainstem: structure and lesions
  • Central visual pathways
  • Cerebellum: structure and connections
  • Cerebral cortex: functional areas
  • Cranial nerves and parasympathetic ganglia
  • Diencephalon: thalamus and geniculate bodies
  • Functional cortical areas
  • Head and neck clinical anatomy: fractures and nerve lesions
  • Limbic system
  • Lower cranial nerves (IX to XII)
  • Neural tube: development and defects
  • Pelvic nerves
  • Skull and mandible: X-ray and CT anatomy
  • Skull foramina, dura, and venous sinuses
  • Spinal canal and neuraxis
  • Trigeminal and facial nerves

Head, neck, and special senses

300+ questions across 10+ topics. It also has 10+ topic notes.

  • Ear anatomy: auricle to labyrinth
  • Eyeball: layers, reflexes, and blood supply
  • Infratemporal fossa and mandibular nerve
  • Laryngeal cartilages, muscles, and nerves
  • Neck triangles, vessels, and lymph nodes
  • Nose and paranasal sinuses
  • Orbit and extraocular muscle movements
  • Orbit: walls, muscles, and nerves
  • Parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands
  • Pharyngeal arches and face development
  • Pharynx and palatine tonsil
  • The face: muscles and nerve supply
  • Tongue and palate

Musculoskeletal

700+ questions across 30+ topics. It also has 30+ topic notes.

  • Anatomical terms, planes, and joints
  • Anatomy of the front of the thigh
  • Arm, forearm, and hand
  • Back of leg
  • Bones of lower limb
  • Brachial plexus: branches and injuries
  • Elbow and wrist X-ray and MRI: tendons, carpal bones, and arthritis
  • Elbow joint and cubital fossa
  • Front of the forearm
  • Front of the leg, foot, and ankle
  • Hip and sacroiliac joints: fracture, osteonecrosis, and arthritis
  • Hip and sacroiliac joints: X-ray, CT, and MRI anatomy
  • Knee and ankle MRI: ligament and meniscal injuries
  • Knee joint
  • Limb bones and shoulder muscles
  • Limb development
  • Lower limb fractures and angiography
  • Lower limb muscles and tendons
  • Lower limb: femoral triangle, hip and foot disorders, and dermatomes
  • Lumbar plexus
  • Movements and muscles of the hand
  • Palm and fingers
  • Shoulder impingement and instability
  • Shoulder region: muscles and joints
  • Skeleton and movement terms
  • Thigh: front of the thigh and femoral triangle
  • Upper limb bones and joints
  • Upper limb fractures and angiography
  • Vertebral column
  • Walking cycle

Blood and cancer

10+ questions across 1 topic. It also has 1 topic note.

  • Lymph nodes and lymphatic drainage

General principles

10+ questions across 3 topics. It also has 3 topic notes.

  • Early embryo: cell lineages and implantation
  • Formation of body plan and homeostasis
  • Gastrulation and germ-layer derivatives

Anatomy and embryology sample questions

These 5 are published anatomy and embryology questions shown exactly as students see them. Open an answer to see why it is right and why every other option is wrong.

Question 1 · Anatomy and embryology, Preclinical

Which nerve provides the parasympathetic root of the ciliary ganglion?

  1. A. Lacrimal nerve
  2. B. Oculomotor nerve
  3. C. Abducent nerve
  4. D. Nasociliary nerve
  5. E. Facial nerve
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B. Oculomotor nerve

The ciliary ganglion has three roots: the sensory root from the nasociliary nerve, the parasympathetic root from the oculomotor nerve through the nerve to inferior oblique, and the sympathetic root from the plexus around the internal carotid artery.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Lacrimal nerve: The lacrimal nerve, a branch of the ophthalmic nerve, delivers parasympathetic secretomotor fibres to the lacrimal gland.
  • C. Abducent nerve: The abducent nerve supplies the lateral rectus, and its injury gives a medial squint.
  • D. Nasociliary nerve: The nasociliary nerve is the sensory root of the ciliary ganglion.
  • E. Facial nerve: The facial nerve carries parasympathetic fibres through the greater petrosal nerve to the pterygopalatine ganglion, for the lacrimal gland.

Key point: The ciliary ganglion receives its parasympathetic root from the oculomotor nerve.

References

Question 2 · Anatomy and embryology, Preclinical

A selective distal motor lesion weakens the plantar and dorsal interossei and lumbricals 2-4. Abductor hallucis, FDB and the first lumbrical remain functional, as do the posterior-leg muscles. Which motor branch best fits this pattern?

  1. A. Tibial nerve proximal to its plantar branches
  2. B. Medial plantar nerve
  3. C. Lateral plantar nerve
  4. D. Deep fibular nerve
  5. E. Superficial fibular nerve
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C. Lateral plantar nerve

The interossei and remaining lumbricals share lateral plantar supply; the preserved muscles belong to the medial plantar or proximal tibial territories.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Tibial nerve proximal to its plantar branches: It supplies the posterior leg and gives rise to plantar motor branches. The decisive case relationship is: The interossei and remaining lumbricals share lateral plantar supply; the preserved muscles belong to the medial plantar or proximal tibial territories.
  • B. Medial plantar nerve: It supplies abductor hallucis, FDB, FHB usually, and the first lumbrical. The decisive case relationship is: The interossei and remaining lumbricals share lateral plantar supply; the preserved muscles belong to the medial plantar or proximal tibial territories.
  • D. Deep fibular nerve: It supplies the anterior leg and dorsal short foot extensors. The decisive case relationship is: The interossei and remaining lumbricals share lateral plantar supply; the preserved muscles belong to the medial plantar or proximal tibial territories.
  • E. Superficial fibular nerve: It supplies the lateral-leg fibularis longus and brevis. The decisive case relationship is: The interossei and remaining lumbricals share lateral plantar supply; the preserved muscles belong to the medial plantar or proximal tibial territories.

Key point: Lateral plantar supply includes interossei and lumbricals 2-4.

References

Question 3 · Anatomy and embryology, Preclinical

A patient cannot direct and coordinate the hands during bimanual movements. Which area is most likely lesioned?

  1. A. Head rotation area
  2. B. Supplementary motor area (SMA)
  3. C. Area 4
  4. D. Premotor area (PM)
  5. E. Hand skills area
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B. Supplementary motor area (SMA)

The supplementary motor area plans complex and bilateral movements. Its lesion causes inability to perform complex movements, inability to direct and coordinate the hands during bimanual movements, and motor apraxia.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Head rotation area: A lesion of the head rotation area causes inability to rotate the head separately.
  • C. Area 4: An area 4 lesion causes localized loss of fine movement (monoplegia) and paresis.
  • D. Premotor area (PM): The premotor area is involved with planning movements based on external, especially visual, cues.
  • E. Hand skills area: A lesion of the hand skills area causes agraphia and motor apraxia.

Key point: The supplementary motor area plans complex and bilateral movements, and its lesion impairs bimanual coordination.

References

Question 4 · Anatomy and embryology, Preclinical

Which muscle strengthens the lax capsule of the shoulder joint?

  1. A. Deltoid
  2. B. Teres minor
  3. C. Pectoralis major
  4. D. Trapezius
  5. E. Latissimus dorsi
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B. Teres minor

The capsule is lax and is strengthened by the rotator cuff muscles, which are supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Deltoid: Deltoid is an extrinsic muscle acting on the humerus.
  • C. Pectoralis major: Pectoralis major is an extrinsic muscle acting on the humerus.
  • D. Trapezius: Trapezius is an extrinsic muscle acting on the scapula.
  • E. Latissimus dorsi: Latissimus dorsi is an extrinsic muscle acting on the humerus.

Key point: The lax shoulder capsule is strengthened by the rotator cuff muscles.

References

Question 5 · Anatomy and embryology, Preclinical

Which structure is a boundary of the temporal fossa?

  1. A. Styloid process
  2. B. Supramastoid crest
  3. C. Back of the maxilla
  4. D. Tympanic plate
  5. E. Lateral pterygoid plate
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B. Supramastoid crest

The temporal fossa is bounded by the temporal lines, supramastoid crest, zygomatic arch, and the frontal process of the zygomatic bone. The infratemporal fossa is bounded by the infratemporal surface of the greater wing of the sphenoid, back of the maxilla, tympanic plate, styloid process, and lateral pterygoid plate.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Styloid process: The styloid process is a boundary of the infratemporal fossa.
  • C. Back of the maxilla: The back of the maxilla is a boundary of the infratemporal fossa.
  • D. Tympanic plate: The tympanic plate is a boundary of the infratemporal fossa.
  • E. Lateral pterygoid plate: The lateral pterygoid plate is a boundary of the infratemporal fossa.

Key point: The supramastoid crest bounds the temporal fossa, whereas the pterygoid plate, tympanic plate, styloid process, and back of the maxilla bound the infratemporal fossa.

References

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