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Anatomy and physiology essentials on the RCSI theory paper

Homeostasis and feedback, heart chambers and circuits, conduction and the ECG, airway and breathing mechanics, blood and plasma, kidneys and urine, pancreas, liver and gallbladder.

28 multiple-choice questions, each with an explanation and the document it was checked against. Three questions are free; the pass opens the other 25 and every other topic. Wrong answers come back first the next time you practise, and a question counts as mastered after two correct answers in a row.

Sample questions from this topic

Question 1
Where is the liver, and what is its digestive role?
1. ALower abdomen in front of the spine; it absorbs water from the stool
2. BLeft upper quadrant behind the stomach; it produces insulin and glucagon
3. CBehind the sternum in the mediastinum; it filters lymph from the gut
4. DRight upper quadrant under the diaphragm; it produces bile for the duodenum
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Answer: D. OpenStax 23.6: the liver, the largest gland in the body at about three pounds, lies inferior to the diaphragm in the right upper quadrant, divided into a large right and smaller left lobe. Its digestive role is to produce bile and export it to the duodenum; the gallbladder stores, concentrates and releases that bile. It also handles metabolism, detoxification and plasma protein synthesis.
Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, 23.6 Accessory organs in digestion
Question 2
Which two vessels bring blood into the liver?
1. AThe left coronary artery and the pulmonary vein from the lungs
2. BThe renal artery from the aorta and the inferior vena cava from the legs
3. CThe hepatic artery (oxygenated) and the hepatic portal vein (nutrient-rich from the gut)
4. DThe superior mesenteric artery and the splenic vein, with nothing from the aorta
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Answer: C. OpenStax 23.6: at the porta hepatis the hepatic artery brings oxygenated blood and the hepatic portal vein brings nutrient-rich, deoxygenated blood from the digestive organs; both mix in the sinusoids where hepatocytes (about 80% of liver volume) process what arrives. This portal supply is why oral drugs face "first-pass" metabolism and why portal hypertension causes varices in cirrhosis.
Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, 23.6 Accessory organs in digestion
Question 3
What does the gallbladder do?
1. AProduces bile from cholesterol and secretes it into the stomach
2. BStores, concentrates and releases bile made by the liver
3. CStores glycogen for release between meals
4. DSecretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum after each meal
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Answer: B. OpenStax 23.6: the liver makes bile; the gallbladder primarily stores, concentrates and releases it into the duodenum when fat arrives. The pancreas supplies the digestive enzymes; glycogen is stored in the liver and muscle. After cholecystectomy bile simply drips continuously, which is why large fatty meals are tolerated less well at first.
Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, 23.6 Accessory organs in digestion

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Anatomy and physiology essentials: RCSI aptitude test practice questions

Anatomy and physiology essentials on the RCSI theory paper

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