📝 Pathology Mock Exam Part II – Medical Terminology

Define the following terms:

Part I – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) 1. Atrophy – Decrease in cell size and function
1. Which of the following is the most common and due to decreased workload, blood flow, or aging.
important cause of cell injury? 2. Necrosis – Premature, uncontrolled cell death
A. Chemical agents due to external injury.
B. Hypoxia 3. Apoptosis – Programmed cell death, normal in
C. Physical trauma embryogenesis and tissue regulation.
D. Genetic abnormalities 4. Granuloma – Organized collection of
✅ Answer: B. Hypoxia macrophages, lymphocytes, and giant cells in
Explanation: Lack of oxygen impairs oxidative chronic inflammation.
phosphorylation and ATP production, leading to cell 5. Cirrhosis – Irreversible liver scarring with
swelling and eventual necrosis. It is the most frequent nodular regeneration and altered vascularity.
cause of injury in clinical medicine.
Part III – Matching Type
2. Which type of necrosis is classically seen in Match the disease/condition with the correct
tuberculosis? description:
A. Liquefactive A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Caseous B. Wilson’s disease
C. Fat C. Hirschsprung’s disease
D. Fibrinoid D. Mallory bodies
E. Helicobacter pylori
✅ Answer: B. Caseous
1. Absence of ganglion cells in colon → functional
Explanation: Caseous necrosis has a “cheese-like”
obstruction.
appearance, commonly associated with granulomatous
2. Protein aggregates found in alcoholic hepatitis.
inflammation due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
3. Brain infarction leading to softening and
cavitation.
3. What is the main cell type involved in acute
4. Gram-negative rod causing gastritis and peptic
inflammation?
ulcer disease.
A. Lymphocytes
5. Copper metabolism disorder with liver and brain
B. Macrophages
degeneration.
C. Neutrophils (PMNs)
D. Plasma cells ✅ Answers:
1–C, 2–D, 3–A, 4–E, 5–B
✅ Answer: C. Neutrophils (PMNs)
Explanation:
Explanation: Polymorphonuclear neutrophils are the
 Hirschsprung’s = aganglionosis → megacolon.
first responders during acute inflammation; they
phagocytose pathogens and release enzymes.  Mallory bodies = eosinophilic inclusions in
alcoholic hepatitis.
4. Barrett’s esophagus is an example of which  Liquefactive necrosis = typical in brain.
cellular adaptation?  H. pylori = key in gastritis/ulcers.
A. Dysplasia  Wilson’s = defective copper transport protein.
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia Part IV – Essay
D. Hypertrophy Essay Question:
✅ Answer: C. Metaplasia Discuss the differences between acute and chronic
Explanation: Normal squamous epithelium is replaced inflammation in terms of causes, cellular components,
by columnar epithelium due to chronic reflux. This morphology, and outcomes.
increases risk of adenocarcinoma. ✅ Suggested Answer (Structured):
 Acute inflammation is a short-term, protective,
5. Which viral hepatitis is transmitted by the fecal- nonspecific response to harmful stimuli
oral route and does NOT cause chronic disease? (infection, trauma, necrosis).
A. Hepatitis A o Cells involved: Neutrophils (PMNs).
B. Hepatitis B o Morphology: vascular dilation, edema,
C. Hepatitis C neutrophil infiltration, exudate (serous,
D. Hepatitis D fibrinous, purulent).
✅ Answer: A. Hepatitis A o Outcomes: Resolution, scarring, or
Explanation: Hepatitis A infection is self-limiting, spread progression to chronic inflammation.
via contaminated food or water, and does not progress  Chronic inflammation is prolonged and often
to cirrhosis. follows unresolved acute inflammation.
o Cells involved: Lymphocytes,
macrophages, plasma cells, fibroblasts.
o Morphology: tissue destruction,
fibrosis, granuloma formation.
o Causes: Persistent infection (TB),
autoimmune disease, prolonged
exposure (silica).
o Outcomes: Fibrosis, organ dysfunction,
cancer risk.
Explanation: Understanding the differences helps
predict disease progression and treatment strategy.
📝 Pathology Mock Exam – Version 2
Part II – Medical Terminology
Part I – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) Define the following terms:
1. Which of the following BEST describes dysplasia? 1. Hypertrophy – Increase in cell size due to
A. Increase in number of cells increased functional demand.
B. Substitution of one normal cell type for another 2. Metaplasia – Reversible substitution of one
C. Disordered growth, loss of uniformity, and loss of cell differentiated cell type by another.
orientation 3. Granulation tissue – Vascular, fibroblast-rich
D. Increase in cell size tissue formed during wound healing.
✅ Answer: C. Disordered growth, loss of uniformity, 4. Ascites – Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal
and loss of cell orientation cavity, common in cirrhosis.
Explanation: Dysplasia is abnormal growth, considered 5. Caseous necrosis – Necrosis with “cheese-like”
premalignant. Unlike metaplasia (cell substitution), appearance, typical of tuberculosis.
dysplasia involves structural disorganization.
Part III – Matching Type
2. Fat necrosis is commonly seen in which organ? Match the condition with the correct feature:
A. Brain A. Barrett’s esophagus
B. Pancreas B. Mallory bodies
C. Heart C. Primary biliary cirrhosis
D. Liver D. Nitric oxide
E. Fibrinoid necrosis
✅ Answer: B. Pancreas
1. Autoimmune destruction of bile ducts,
Explanation: In acute pancreatitis, pancreatic enzymes
associated with antimitochondrial antibodies.
digest fat tissue, producing chalky-white calcium
2. Alcoholic hepatitis, eosinophilic cytoplasmic
deposits.
inclusions.
3. Potent vasodilator derived from arginine.
3. Which of the following is NOT an outcome of
4. Seen in immune-mediated vascular damage.
acute inflammation?
5. Metaplasia of squamous epithelium to columnar
A. Complete resolution
epithelium.
B. Abscess formation
C. Fibrosis (scar formation) ✅ Answers:
D. Immediate carcinogenesis 1–C, 2–B, 3–D, 4–E, 5–A
Explanation:
✅ Answer: D. Immediate carcinogenesis
 Barrett’s = metaplasia from chronic GERD.
Explanation: Inflammation itself does not directly
transform into cancer immediately; chronic inflammation  Mallory bodies = hallmark of alcoholic hepatitis.
may predispose to neoplasia.  PBC = autoimmune bile duct destruction.
 NO = endothelial vasodilator.
4. The “rule of 2’s” applies to which condition?  Fibrinoid necrosis = immune complex deposition
A. Cirrhosis in vessel walls.
B. Hirschsprung’s disease
C. Meckel’s diverticulum Part IV – Essay
D. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome Essay Question:
✅ Answer: C. Meckel’s diverticulum Explain the difference between necrosis and apoptosis
Explanation: Rule of 2’s → 2 feet from ileocecal valve, in terms of cause, morphology, and clinical significance.
2 inches long, 2 types of mucosa, 2% population, twice ✅ Suggested Answer (Structured):
as common in males.  Necrosis
o Cause: External injury (ischemia, toxins,
5. Which viral hepatitis is most likely to become infections).
chronic and progress to cirrhosis? o Morphology: Cell swelling, disrupted
A. Hepatitis A membrane, inflammation. Types include
B. Hepatitis B coagulative, liquefactive, caseous, fat,
C. Hepatitis C fibrinoid, gangrenous.
D. Hepatitis D o Clinical significance: Always pathologic;
✅ Answer: C. Hepatitis C damages surrounding tissue.
Explanation: HCV has the highest rate of persistence  Apoptosis
and chronicity, often leading to cirrhosis and o Cause: Programmed response
hepatocellular carcinoma. (embryogenesis, hormone withdrawal,
immune regulation). Pathologic
apoptosis occurs in viral infections or
obstruction.
o Morphology: Cell shrinkage, nuclear
fragmentation (pyknosis → karyorrhexis
→ karyolysis), membrane blebbing, no
inflammation.
o Clinical significance: Essential for tissue
homeostasis; when dysregulated, may
cause cancer or degenerative disease.
📝 Pathology Mock Exam – Version 3 (GI & Liver Focus) Part III – Matching Type
Match the condition with its description:
Part I – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) A. Wilson’s disease
1. Barrett’s esophagus is most strongly associated with B. Hepatitis B
which condition? C. Stress ulcers
A. Peptic ulcer D. Primary biliary cirrhosis
B. Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) E. Barrett’s esophagus
C. Hiatal hernia 1. Autoimmune destruction of bile ducts, associated with
D. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome antimitochondrial antibodies.
✅ Answer: B. Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease 2. Copper metabolism disorder → cirrhosis, brain
(GERD) degeneration, corneal ring.
Explanation: Repeated acid reflux causes metaplasia of 3. Self-limiting viral hepatitis spread via blood and sex,
squamous epithelium → columnar epithelium. This increases may cause chronic carrier state.
the risk of adenocarcinoma. 4. Multiple gastric erosions after severe trauma, burns,
or head injury.
2. Which of the following is a major complication of peptic 5. Metaplasia of squamous to columnar epithelium in
ulcer disease? lower esophagus.
A. Pneumothorax ✅ Answers:
B. Bleeding, perforation, or obstruction 1–D, 2–A, 3–B, 4–C, 5–E
C. Splenomegaly Explanation:
D. Iron overload  Wilson’s = defective copper transport protein.
✅ Answer: B. Bleeding, perforation, or obstruction  HBV = blood-borne, can cause chronic carrier state.
Explanation: Peptic ulcers may erode vessels (bleeding),  Stress ulcers = acute mucosal erosions after trauma.
perforate the stomach wall, or cause scarring/strictures leading  PBC = autoimmune bile duct destruction.
to obstruction.
 Barrett’s = metaplasia from GERD.
3. Which feature is characteristic of alcoholic hepatitis?
Part IV – Essay
A. Councilman bodies Essay Question:
B. Mallory bodies Discuss the pathogenesis, complications, and systemic effects
C. Viral inclusions of cirrhosis.
D. Giant cells
✅ Suggested Answer:
✅ Answer: B. Mallory bodies
 Pathogenesis:
Explanation: Mallory bodies are eosinophilic inclusions in
o Chronic liver injury (alcohol, viral hepatitis,
hepatocytes, strongly associated with alcoholic liver disease.
toxins, autoimmune, metabolic disorders)
damages hepatocytes.
4. The “rule of 2’s” is applied in which congenital GI
condition?
o Ongoing inflammation → fibrosis via stellate
cells.
A. Hirschsprung’s disease
o Nodular regeneration attempts fail due to
B. Meckel’s diverticulum
distorted architecture.
C. Achalasia
D. Crohn’s disease  Complications:
✅ Answer: B. Meckel’s diverticulum
o Portal hypertension → ascites,
splenomegaly, esophageal varices,
Explanation: Located 2 feet from ileocecal valve, 2 inches
hemorrhoids, caput medusae.
long, 2 types of mucosa, 2% of population, twice as common in
o Hepatic failure → coagulopathy (↓ clotting
males.
factors), encephalopathy (↑ ammonia),
hypoalbuminemia (edema).
5. Which viral hepatitis is least likely to cause chronic liver
disease?
o Increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.
A. Hepatitis A  Systemic effects:
B. Hepatitis B o Hormonal imbalance → gynecomastia in
C. Hepatitis C males.
D. Hepatitis D o Hematologic → anemia, thrombocytopenia.
✅ Answer: A. Hepatitis A
o Metabolic → impaired detoxification and
nutrient metabolism.
Explanation: HAV is self-limiting, does not lead to cirrhosis or
Explanation: Cirrhosis is a progressive, irreversible disease
chronic carrier state.
with serious systemic consequences and high mortality,
making prevention and early management crucial.
Part II – Medical Terminology
Define the following terms:
1. Achalasia – Failure of lower esophageal sphincter to
relax due to loss of ganglion cells.
2. Cirrhosis – Irreversible fibrosis and nodular
regeneration of the liver, leading to altered vascular
flow.
3. Ascites – Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal
cavity, often due to portal hypertension.
4. Cholestasis – Reduced bile flow due to intrahepatic
or extrahepatic obstruction.
5. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome – Gastrin-secreting
tumor causing hyperacidity and recurrent peptic
ulcers.