Weekly Liver Histology and Physiology Exam - March 7, 2026 (Section A: MCQs) – 60 MCQs | Kenya

60 Weekly Exam: Liver Histology and Physiology exam questions on Weekly Liver Histology and Physiology Exam - March 7, 2026 (Section A: MCQs) for medical studen

This MCQ set contains 60 questions on Weekly Liver Histology and Physiology Exam - March 7, 2026 (Section A: MCQs) in the Weekly Exam: Liver Histology and Physiology unit. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed explanation for active recall and exam preparation.

Q1: What is the structural unit of the liver characterized by a hexagonal shape with a central vein in the middle?

  1. A. Acinus
  2. B. Lobule
  3. C. Portal Canal
  4. D. Hepatic Cord

Correct answer: B – Lobule

The lobule is the structural unit of the liver, typically hexagonal with a central vein at its center and portal triads at the periphery.

Q2: Which structure sits at the center of the hepatic acinus?

  1. A. Central vein
  2. B. Bile duct
  3. C. The axis formed by the portal triad vessels
  4. D. Kupffer cell

Correct answer: C – The axis formed by the portal triad vessels

The acinus is the functional unit based on microcirculation, centered on the line connecting two portal triads.

Q3: Which of the following is NOT part of the portal triad?

  1. A. Bile duct
  2. B. Hepatic artery branch
  3. C. Portal vein branch
  4. D. Central vein

Correct answer: D – Central vein

The portal triad contains a bile duct, a branch of the hepatic artery, and a branch of the portal vein. The central vein is a tributary of the hepatic vein.

Q4: Which acinar zone receives the highest concentration of oxygenated blood?

  1. A. Zone 1
  2. B. Zone 2
  3. C. Zone 3
  4. D. Zone 4

Correct answer: A – Zone 1

Zone 1 (periportal) is closest to the hepatic artery and portal vein branches, receiving the best oxygenation.

Q5: Damage from phosphorus poisoning typically affects which zone first?

  1. A. Zone 1
  2. B. Zone 2
  3. C. Zone 3
  4. D. Zone 4

Correct answer: A – Zone 1

Zone 1 (periportal) is the first zone reached by blood coming from the portal triad and is specifically affected by phosphorus poisoning and eclampsia.

Q6: Which zone is most susceptible to ischemic injury and hypoxia?

  1. A. Zone 1
  2. B. Zone 2
  3. C. Zone 3
  4. D. Zone 4

Correct answer: C – Zone 3

Zone 3 is the furthest from the blood supply (centrilobular), making it the first to suffer in hypoxic conditions.

Q7: The central vein is considered a tributary of which vessel?

  1. A. Portal vein
  2. B. Hepatic artery
  3. C. Hepatic vein
  4. D. Common bile duct

Correct answer: C – Hepatic vein

Blood flows from the portal triads through sinusoids into the central vein, which then drains into the hepatic veins.

Q8: What is the functional unit of the liver based on microcirculation called?

  1. A. Hepatic lobule
  2. B. Hepatic acinus
  3. C. Portal lobule
  4. D. Space of Disse

Correct answer: B – Hepatic acinus

The hepatic acinus is defined by its microcirculatory properties rather than purely anatomical borders.

Q9: Where are the portal triads located in a classic hepatic lobule?

  1. A. In the center
  2. B. At the periphery/corners
  3. C. Within the central vein
  4. D. Inside the sinusoids

Correct answer: B – At the periphery/corners

In the hexagonal lobule model, portal triads are located at the peripheral corners.

Q10: Which zone is located mid-way between the portal triad and the central vein?

  1. A. Zone 1
  2. B. Zone 2
  3. C. Zone 3
  4. D. Zone 4

Correct answer: B – Zone 2

Zone 2 is the midzonal region located between the periportal (Zone 1) and centrilobular (Zone 3) areas.

Q11: Eclampsia typically involves damage to which zone of the liver acinus?

  1. A. Zone 1
  2. B. Zone 2
  3. C. Zone 3
  4. D. Zone 4

Correct answer: A – Zone 1

Zone 1 (periportal) is the primary site of injury in conditions like phosphorus poisoning and eclampsia.

Q12: Which structure is responsible for carrying bile away from the liver lobule?

  1. A. Central vein
  2. B. Hepatic artery
  3. C. Bile duct
  4. D. Sinusoid

Correct answer: C – Bile duct

The bile duct, part of the portal triad, carries bile produced by hepatocytes towards the larger biliary tree.

Q13: The axis of the hepatic acinus is formed by which vessels?

  1. A. Tributaries of the hepatic artery and portal vein
  2. B. The central vein and the sublobular vein
  3. C. The biliary canaliculi
  4. D. The hepatic vein and vena cava

Correct answer: A – Tributaries of the hepatic artery and portal vein

The acinus is centered on the terminal branches of the portal vein and hepatic artery.

Q14: What happens to the oxygen gradient as blood moves from Zone 1 to Zone 3?

  1. A. Oxygen levels increase
  2. B. Oxygen levels decrease
  3. C. Oxygen levels remain constant
  4. D. Blood becomes more arterialized

Correct answer: B – Oxygen levels decrease

Oxygen levels are highest in Zone 1 (periportal) and lowest in Zone 3 (centrilobular).

Q15: Which zone would be most impacted by congestion in the hepatic vein?

  1. A. Zone 1
  2. B. Zone 2
  3. C. Zone 3
  4. D. All zones equally

Correct answer: C – Zone 3

Zone 3 surrounds the central vein; therefore, back-pressure from the hepatic vein affects Zone 3 most significantly.

Q16: The term 'Periportal' refers to which zone?

  1. A. Zone 1
  2. B. Zone 2
  3. C. Zone 3
  4. D. Portal lobule center

Correct answer: A – Zone 1

Zone 1 is periportal, meaning it is located immediately around the portal triads.

Q17: In the context of liver histology, what does 'Centrilobular' refer to?

  1. A. The area surrounding the portal triad
  2. B. The area surrounding the central vein
  3. C. The middle of the sinusoids
  4. D. The gallbladder attachment point

Correct answer: B – The area surrounding the central vein

Centrilobular refers to the area closest to the central vein (Zone 3).

Q18: Which of the following is found in a portal triad?

  1. A. Lymphatic vessel
  2. B. Bile duct
  3. C. Kupffer cell
  4. D. Stellate cell

Correct answer: B – Bile duct

The classic portal triad contains a branch of the portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct.

Q19: If a patient is exposed to a toxin that enters via the blood, which zone encounters the highest concentration first?

  1. A. Zone 1
  2. B. Zone 2
  3. C. Zone 3
  4. D. Zone 4

Correct answer: A – Zone 1

Zone 1 is the first to be exposed to everything entering via the portal vein and hepatic artery.

Q20: Which description best matches the liver acinus?

  1. A. Hexagonal unit
  2. B. Diamond-shaped functional unit
  3. C. Circular unit
  4. D. Triangular unit

Correct answer: B – Diamond-shaped functional unit

The acinus is often described as a diamond or oval shaped unit based on the blood supply from the portal axis to the central veins.

Q21: The oxygenation status of Zone 1 is described as:

  1. A. Poor
  2. B. Intermittent
  3. C. Best
  4. D. Moderate

Correct answer: C – Best

Zone 1 receives the most oxygenated blood from the hepatic artery.

Q22: Phosphorus poisoning is a characteristic pathology of which zone?

  1. A. Zone 1
  2. B. Zone 2
  3. C. Zone 3
  4. D. Central vein

Correct answer: A – Zone 1

Phosphorus poisoning is a classic example of a Zone 1 (periportal) injury.

Q23: The hepatic artery provides what to the liver?

  1. A. Deoxygenated blood
  2. B. Nutrient-rich blood from the gut
  3. C. Oxygenated blood
  4. D. Bile

Correct answer: C – Oxygenated blood

The hepatic artery delivers oxygen-rich blood to the liver tissues.

Q24: Where does blood from the portal vein and hepatic artery mix?

  1. A. Bile canaliculi
  2. B. Hepatic sinusoids
  3. C. Central vein
  4. D. Space of Disse

Correct answer: B – Hepatic sinusoids

The sinusoids are the capillary-like spaces where oxygenated and deoxygenated blood mix before reaching the central vein.

Q25: Which zone is most distal to the portal triad?

  1. A. Zone 1
  2. B. Zone 2
  3. C. Zone 3
  4. D. Zone 1 and 2

Correct answer: C – Zone 3

Zone 3 is the centrilobular zone, furthest from the portal triad's arterial and venous input.

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