GRAY'S ANATOMY FOR STUDENTS
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)RICHARD L. DRAKE
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Body — Important anatomical terms
Stem
A 65-year-old patient is positioned supine for a CT scan. The
radiographer describes the image as a “transverse” slice.
Relating clinical language to anatomy, which plane best
corresponds to this transverse CT image and how would a
structure located anterior to the heart appear relative to the
heart in that plane?
Options
A. Coronal plane; the structure would appear superior to the
heart.
B. Sagittal plane; the structure would appear lateral to the
heart.
,C. Transverse (axial) plane; the structure would appear anterior
to the heart on the image.
D. Oblique plane; the structure would appear posterior to the
heart.
Correct answer
C
Rationales
Correct (C): Transverse (axial) slices are horizontal cuts dividing
superior/inferior. On a supine CT axial image, anterior
structures lie toward the top of the image (or anterior aspect
depending on convention) relative to the heart. This matches
Gray’s emphasis on planes when interpreting imaging.
A: Coronal divides anterior/posterior; it would not be described
as a transverse slice.
B: Sagittal divides left/right; “lateral” is not the expected
relation for anterior structures in a transverse image.
D: Oblique is an angled plane and does not correctly describe
the simple anterior relation.
Teaching Point
Transverse (axial) = horizontal slices; anterior = toward the front
on axial images.
Citation
Drake, R. L. (2024). Gray’s Anatomy for Students (5th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2
,Reference
Ch. 1 — The Body — Imaging: Plain radiography vs CT vs MRI
Stem
A pregnant woman presents after minor head trauma. The
clinician must choose an imaging modality that minimizes fetal
ionizing radiation while best evaluating soft-tissue brain injury.
Which choice balances diagnostic yield and fetal safety?
Options
A. Head CT without shielding — highest soft-tissue contrast,
acceptable in pregnancy.
B. MRI (non-contrast) of the head — excellent soft-tissue detail,
no ionizing radiation.
C. Plain skull radiographs — minimal radiation, superior soft-
tissue detail.
D. Nuclear medicine bone scan — no fetal risk, best for
intracranial soft tissue.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): MRI provides superior soft-tissue contrast for brain
injury and uses no ionizing radiation, making it preferable in
pregnancy when clinically indicated. Gray’s chapter on imaging
stresses modality selection based on tissue contrast and
radiation safety.
A: CT uses ionizing radiation; avoid in pregnancy unless benefits
outweigh risks.
, C: Plain radiographs have lower soft-tissue resolution than
CT/MRI and still use ionizing radiation.
D: Nuclear medicine involves ionizing radiation and is not
appropriate for intracranial soft-tissue assessment.
Teaching Point
MRI (non-contrast) is preferred for soft-tissue imaging in
pregnancy when feasible.
Citation
Drake, R. L. (2024). Gray’s Anatomy for Students (5th Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Body — Imaging: CT attenuation and radiodensity
Stem
On a CT image, tissues with high attenuation appear bright
(hyperdense). A radiologist notes a hyperdense area in the
vertebral body. Which tissue is most likely to appear
hyperdense on CT and why?
Options
A. Fat — because of its high hydrogen content.
B. Compact bone — because of its high mineral (calcium)
content increasing X-ray attenuation.
C. Air — because it strongly attenuates X-rays.
D. Muscle — because of its low water content.
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)RICHARD L. DRAKE
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Body — Important anatomical terms
Stem
A 65-year-old patient is positioned supine for a CT scan. The
radiographer describes the image as a “transverse” slice.
Relating clinical language to anatomy, which plane best
corresponds to this transverse CT image and how would a
structure located anterior to the heart appear relative to the
heart in that plane?
Options
A. Coronal plane; the structure would appear superior to the
heart.
B. Sagittal plane; the structure would appear lateral to the
heart.
,C. Transverse (axial) plane; the structure would appear anterior
to the heart on the image.
D. Oblique plane; the structure would appear posterior to the
heart.
Correct answer
C
Rationales
Correct (C): Transverse (axial) slices are horizontal cuts dividing
superior/inferior. On a supine CT axial image, anterior
structures lie toward the top of the image (or anterior aspect
depending on convention) relative to the heart. This matches
Gray’s emphasis on planes when interpreting imaging.
A: Coronal divides anterior/posterior; it would not be described
as a transverse slice.
B: Sagittal divides left/right; “lateral” is not the expected
relation for anterior structures in a transverse image.
D: Oblique is an angled plane and does not correctly describe
the simple anterior relation.
Teaching Point
Transverse (axial) = horizontal slices; anterior = toward the front
on axial images.
Citation
Drake, R. L. (2024). Gray’s Anatomy for Students (5th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2
,Reference
Ch. 1 — The Body — Imaging: Plain radiography vs CT vs MRI
Stem
A pregnant woman presents after minor head trauma. The
clinician must choose an imaging modality that minimizes fetal
ionizing radiation while best evaluating soft-tissue brain injury.
Which choice balances diagnostic yield and fetal safety?
Options
A. Head CT without shielding — highest soft-tissue contrast,
acceptable in pregnancy.
B. MRI (non-contrast) of the head — excellent soft-tissue detail,
no ionizing radiation.
C. Plain skull radiographs — minimal radiation, superior soft-
tissue detail.
D. Nuclear medicine bone scan — no fetal risk, best for
intracranial soft tissue.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): MRI provides superior soft-tissue contrast for brain
injury and uses no ionizing radiation, making it preferable in
pregnancy when clinically indicated. Gray’s chapter on imaging
stresses modality selection based on tissue contrast and
radiation safety.
A: CT uses ionizing radiation; avoid in pregnancy unless benefits
outweigh risks.
, C: Plain radiographs have lower soft-tissue resolution than
CT/MRI and still use ionizing radiation.
D: Nuclear medicine involves ionizing radiation and is not
appropriate for intracranial soft-tissue assessment.
Teaching Point
MRI (non-contrast) is preferred for soft-tissue imaging in
pregnancy when feasible.
Citation
Drake, R. L. (2024). Gray’s Anatomy for Students (5th Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Body — Imaging: CT attenuation and radiodensity
Stem
On a CT image, tissues with high attenuation appear bright
(hyperdense). A radiologist notes a hyperdense area in the
vertebral body. Which tissue is most likely to appear
hyperdense on CT and why?
Options
A. Fat — because of its high hydrogen content.
B. Compact bone — because of its high mineral (calcium)
content increasing X-ray attenuation.
C. Air — because it strongly attenuates X-rays.
D. Muscle — because of its low water content.
