General Pathology | Essay Questions | Ompath Study

Practice 20 structured short- and long-answer medical questions on General Pathology. Review model answers for exam revision.

Essay Questions and Answers

1. Q1. ## SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

   Answer: Model answer pending

2. Q2. Vasoactive amines responsible for vasodilatation during inflammation are released from which cell type?

   Answer: a) Plasma cells b) Lymphocytes c) Monocytes d) Mast cells **Answer: d) Mast cells** **Explanation:** Mast cells contain preformed vasoactive mediators including histamine, which causes immediate vasodilation and increased vascular permeability during the early phase of acute inflammation.

3. Q3. Bradykinin causes all the following during inflammation EXCEPT:

   Answer: a) Smooth muscle contraction b) Pain c) Dilatation of blood vessels d) Opsonisation and Chemotaxis **Answer: d) Opsonisation and Chemotaxis** **Explanation:** Bradykinin is a vasoactive peptide that causes vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, smooth muscle contraction, and pain. It does not directly cause opsonization or chemotaxis.

4. Q4. Granulomas are characterised by all of the following EXCEPT:

   Answer: a) Features of chronic inflammation b) Accumulation of modified macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells c) Initiation by both infectious and non-infectious agents d) Acute inflammatory reaction **Answer: d) Acute inflammatory reaction** **Explanation:** Granulomas are a form of chronic inflammation characterized by collections of epithelioid cells, lymphocytes, and sometimes giant cells.

5. Q5. During acute inflammation, tissue oedema occurs due to:

   Answer: a) Increased capillary permeability b) Decreased capillary permeability c) Decreased interstitial fluid d) Decreased blood flow **Answer: a) Increased capillary permeability** **Explanation:** Tissue edema results from increased vascular permeability, allowing plasma proteins and fluid to leak into the interstitial space.

6. Q6. The process by which white blood cells migrate from blood vessels through widened inter-endothelial junctions is referred to as:

   Answer: a) Pavementing b) Diapedesis c) Rouleaux formation d) Chemotaxis migration **Answer: b) Diapedesis** **Explanation:** Diapedesis (transmigration) is the process by which leukocytes migrate between endothelial cells to exit the vascular compartment.

7. Q7. During acute inflammation, Interleukin-1 (IL-1) helps in:

   Answer: a) Stimulation of T-lymphocytes b) Inhibiting B-lymphocytes c) Inhibiting chemotaxis of neutrophils and macrophages d) Decreasing fibroblast and bone resorption activity **Answer: a) Stimulation of T-lymphocytes** **Explanation:** IL-1 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that stimulates T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation.

8. Q8. The following are mediators of inflammation EXCEPT:

   Answer: a) Interferons b) Prostaglandins c) Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) d) Myeloperoxidase enzyme **Answer: d) Myeloperoxidase enzyme** **Explanation:** Myeloperoxidase is an enzyme in neutrophil granules used for antimicrobial activity, not a primary mediator of inflammation.

9. Q9. Caseating type granulomas are usually seen in:

   Answer: a) Viral infections b) Tuberculosis c) Pyogenic bacterial infections d) Meningitis **Answer: b) Tuberculosis** **Explanation:** Caseating granulomas with central necrosis are characteristic of mycobacterial infections, particularly tuberculosis.

10. Q10. In granulomas, epithelioid and giant cells are derived from:

    Answer: a) T-lymphocytes b) B-lymphocytes c) Plasma cells d) Circulating monocytes **Answer: d) Circulating monocytes** **Explanation:** Epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells are derived from activated macrophages, which originate from circulating monocytes.

11. Q11. The characteristic cells of chronic inflammation are all EXCEPT:

    Answer: a) Plasma cells b) Macrophages c) Lymphocytes d) Polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) **Answer: d) Polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs)** **Explanation:** PMNs (neutrophils) are the hallmark of acute inflammation; chronic inflammation involves mononuclear cells.

12. Q12. The following vascular changes are observed in acute inflammation EXCEPT:

    Answer: a) Vasodilation b) Stasis of blood c) Increased vascular permeability d) Decreased blood flow **Answer: d) Decreased blood flow** **Explanation:** Acute inflammation initially causes increased blood flow due to vasodilation.

13. Q13. The most common fixative used to preserve tissue in histopathology is:

    Answer: a) 10% Formalin b) Ethylene glycol c) Haematoxylin d) 95% Ethanol **Answer: a) 10% Formalin** **Explanation:** 10% neutral buffered formalin is the standard fixative used to cross-link proteins and preserve morphology.

14. Q14. Cells which have the capacity to multiply throughout their lifespan are referred to as:

    Answer: a) Stable cells b) Permanent cells c) Labile cells d) None of the above **Answer: c) Labile cells** **Explanation:** Labile cells (e.g., skin, GI epithelium) continuously divide to replace lost cells.

15. Q15. The following cells have LEAST capacity for regeneration:

    Answer: a) Cardiac muscle b) Skeletal muscle c) Neuronal cells d) Liver cells **Answer: c) Neuronal cells** **Explanation:** Neurons are permanent cells with minimal to no regenerative capacity in the adult CNS.

16. Q16. The FIRST event in primary wound healing is:

    Answer: a) Epithelial changes b) Organization c) Formation of blood clot d) Acute inflammatory response **Answer: c) Formation of blood clot** **Explanation:** Hemostasis and clot formation occur immediately to stop bleeding and provide a scaffold.

17. Q17. Clean, uninfected, surgically incised wounds whose edges are approximated by surgical sutures heal by:

    Answer: a) Primary intention b) Secondary intention c) Cauterisation d) Regeneration **Answer: a) Primary intention**

18. Q18. Large open wounds characterised by tissue loss and repaired by granulation tissue in the floor heal by:

    Answer: a) Secondary intention b) Primary intention c) Cauterisation d) Regeneration **Answer: a) Secondary intention**

19. Q19. The following events are common to primary and secondary wound healing EXCEPT:

    Answer: a) Formation of blood clot b) Inflammatory response c) Epithelial changes d) Wound contraction **Answer: d) Wound contraction** **Explanation:** Wound contraction is primarily a feature of secondary intention healing.

20. Q20. The following factors inhibit wound healing EXCEPT:

    Answer: a) Infection b) Cortisol c) Foreign bodies d) Proteins **Answer: d) Proteins** **Explanation:** Proteins are essential building blocks for repair and collagen synthesis.