1
A&P 1 101 MODULE 3 EXAM DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
2026/2027 | Portage Learning | Rated A+ | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Gross Anatomy of Digestive System (Questions 1–15)
Q1. A 42-year-old patient presents with difficulty swallowing. During endoscopy, the
physician notes a narrowing at the junction where the pharynx meets the esophagus.
Which anatomical structure is located at this precise junction?
A. Upper esophageal sphincter (cricopharyngeal muscle)
B. Lower esophageal sphincter
C. Gastroesophageal junction
D. Pyloric sphincter
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The upper esophageal sphincter, formed primarily by the cricopharyngeus
muscle, marks the transition from the pharynx to the esophagus. Students often
confuse this with the lower esophageal sphincter, which is at the gastroesophageal
junction near the stomach. [CORRECT]
Q2. During a surgical procedure, a surgeon must identify the peritoneal fold that
suspends the small intestine from the posterior abdominal wall and carries blood
vessels, lymphatics, and nerves to the intestinal tract. Which structure is being
described?
,2
A. Greater omentum
B. Mesentery proper
C. Falciform ligament
D. Lesser omentum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The mesentery proper is the broad, fan-shaped peritoneal fold that
attaches the jejunum and ileum to the posterior abdominal wall and contains the
neurovascular supply. The greater omentum drapes over the intestines but does not
suspend them; the falciform ligament attaches the liver to the anterior abdominal
wall. [CORRECT]
Q3. A medical student is examining a cadaver and notes that the stomach, liver, and
spleen are all covered by visceral peritoneum on all surfaces. Which term best
describes organs that are completely surrounded by peritoneum and suspended by
mesenteries?
A. Retroperitoneal organs
B. Intraperitoneal (peritoneal) organs
C. Secondary retroperitoneal organs
D. Extraperitoneal organs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intraperitoneal organs, including the stomach, liver, spleen, and most of
the small intestine, are completely enveloped by visceral peritoneum and suspended
within the peritoneal cavity by mesenteries. Retroperitoneal organs (e.g., duodenum
parts 2–4, pancreas, kidneys) lie posterior to the peritoneum. [CORRECT]
Q4. A patient with chronic acid reflux is found to have a weakened muscular ring at
the junction between the esophagus and stomach. Which sphincter, when
incompetent, allows gastric contents to reflux into the esophagus and cause
heartburn?
,3
A. Pyloric sphincter
B. Ileocecal valve
C. Lower esophageal sphincter (cardiac sphincter)
D. Upper esophageal sphincter
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), located at the gastroesophageal
junction, normally prevents reflux of acidic gastric contents into the esophagus.
When the LES is incompetent or relaxes inappropriately, GERD develops. The pyloric
sphincter regulates gastric emptying into the duodenum. [CORRECT]
Q5. During a gross anatomy lab, a student is asked to identify the three distinct
regions of the small intestine in order from proximal to distal. Which sequence is
correct?
A. Duodenum → Ileum → Jejunum
B. Jejunum → Duodenum → Ileum
C. Duodenum → Jejunum → Ileum
D. Ileum → Jejunum → Duodenum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The small intestine is organized proximally to distally as duodenum
(receives chyme from stomach and bile/pancreatic juices), jejunum (primary site of
nutrient absorption), and ileum (absorbs vitamin B12 and bile salts). A common
student error is reversing the jejunum and ileum. [CORRECT]
Q6. A 55-year-old patient undergoes colonoscopy. The gastroenterologist identifies
three longitudinal bands of smooth muscle on the external surface of the large
intestine. What are these bands called?
A. Haustra
B. Teniae coli
, 4
C. Epiploic appendages
D. Circular folds (plicae circulares)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The teniae coli are three distinct longitudinal bands of smooth muscle
(longitudinal muscle layer) on the surface of the cecum and colon. Their tonic
contraction creates the sacculations known as haustra. Plicae circulares are found in
the small intestine, not the large intestine. [CORRECT]
Q7. A surgical team is preparing to remove a patient's gallbladder. To avoid
damaging adjacent structures, they must identify the peritoneal fold that connects
the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach and the duodenum. Which structure
is this?
A. Greater omentum
B. Falciform ligament
C. Lesser omentum (hepatogastric and hepatoduodenal ligaments)
D. Coronary ligament
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The lesser omentum extends from the liver to the lesser curvature of the
stomach (hepatogastric ligament) and the proximal duodenum (hepatoduodenal
ligament). The hepatoduodenal ligament contains the portal triad (hepatic artery
proper, portal vein, common bile duct). The greater omentum hangs from the greater
curvature of the stomach. [CORRECT]
Q8. A student is tracing the path of a food bolus from the oral cavity to the stomach.
Which sequence correctly lists the anatomical regions the bolus passes through?
A. Oral cavity → Oropharynx → Laryngopharynx → Esophagus → Stomach
B. Oral cavity → Laryngopharynx → Oropharynx → Esophagus → Stomach
C. Oral cavity → Nasopharynx → Oropharynx → Esophagus → Stomach
D. Oral cavity → Oropharynx → Nasopharynx → Esophagus → Stomach
A&P 1 101 MODULE 3 EXAM DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
2026/2027 | Portage Learning | Rated A+ | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Gross Anatomy of Digestive System (Questions 1–15)
Q1. A 42-year-old patient presents with difficulty swallowing. During endoscopy, the
physician notes a narrowing at the junction where the pharynx meets the esophagus.
Which anatomical structure is located at this precise junction?
A. Upper esophageal sphincter (cricopharyngeal muscle)
B. Lower esophageal sphincter
C. Gastroesophageal junction
D. Pyloric sphincter
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The upper esophageal sphincter, formed primarily by the cricopharyngeus
muscle, marks the transition from the pharynx to the esophagus. Students often
confuse this with the lower esophageal sphincter, which is at the gastroesophageal
junction near the stomach. [CORRECT]
Q2. During a surgical procedure, a surgeon must identify the peritoneal fold that
suspends the small intestine from the posterior abdominal wall and carries blood
vessels, lymphatics, and nerves to the intestinal tract. Which structure is being
described?
,2
A. Greater omentum
B. Mesentery proper
C. Falciform ligament
D. Lesser omentum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The mesentery proper is the broad, fan-shaped peritoneal fold that
attaches the jejunum and ileum to the posterior abdominal wall and contains the
neurovascular supply. The greater omentum drapes over the intestines but does not
suspend them; the falciform ligament attaches the liver to the anterior abdominal
wall. [CORRECT]
Q3. A medical student is examining a cadaver and notes that the stomach, liver, and
spleen are all covered by visceral peritoneum on all surfaces. Which term best
describes organs that are completely surrounded by peritoneum and suspended by
mesenteries?
A. Retroperitoneal organs
B. Intraperitoneal (peritoneal) organs
C. Secondary retroperitoneal organs
D. Extraperitoneal organs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intraperitoneal organs, including the stomach, liver, spleen, and most of
the small intestine, are completely enveloped by visceral peritoneum and suspended
within the peritoneal cavity by mesenteries. Retroperitoneal organs (e.g., duodenum
parts 2–4, pancreas, kidneys) lie posterior to the peritoneum. [CORRECT]
Q4. A patient with chronic acid reflux is found to have a weakened muscular ring at
the junction between the esophagus and stomach. Which sphincter, when
incompetent, allows gastric contents to reflux into the esophagus and cause
heartburn?
,3
A. Pyloric sphincter
B. Ileocecal valve
C. Lower esophageal sphincter (cardiac sphincter)
D. Upper esophageal sphincter
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), located at the gastroesophageal
junction, normally prevents reflux of acidic gastric contents into the esophagus.
When the LES is incompetent or relaxes inappropriately, GERD develops. The pyloric
sphincter regulates gastric emptying into the duodenum. [CORRECT]
Q5. During a gross anatomy lab, a student is asked to identify the three distinct
regions of the small intestine in order from proximal to distal. Which sequence is
correct?
A. Duodenum → Ileum → Jejunum
B. Jejunum → Duodenum → Ileum
C. Duodenum → Jejunum → Ileum
D. Ileum → Jejunum → Duodenum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The small intestine is organized proximally to distally as duodenum
(receives chyme from stomach and bile/pancreatic juices), jejunum (primary site of
nutrient absorption), and ileum (absorbs vitamin B12 and bile salts). A common
student error is reversing the jejunum and ileum. [CORRECT]
Q6. A 55-year-old patient undergoes colonoscopy. The gastroenterologist identifies
three longitudinal bands of smooth muscle on the external surface of the large
intestine. What are these bands called?
A. Haustra
B. Teniae coli
, 4
C. Epiploic appendages
D. Circular folds (plicae circulares)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The teniae coli are three distinct longitudinal bands of smooth muscle
(longitudinal muscle layer) on the surface of the cecum and colon. Their tonic
contraction creates the sacculations known as haustra. Plicae circulares are found in
the small intestine, not the large intestine. [CORRECT]
Q7. A surgical team is preparing to remove a patient's gallbladder. To avoid
damaging adjacent structures, they must identify the peritoneal fold that connects
the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach and the duodenum. Which structure
is this?
A. Greater omentum
B. Falciform ligament
C. Lesser omentum (hepatogastric and hepatoduodenal ligaments)
D. Coronary ligament
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The lesser omentum extends from the liver to the lesser curvature of the
stomach (hepatogastric ligament) and the proximal duodenum (hepatoduodenal
ligament). The hepatoduodenal ligament contains the portal triad (hepatic artery
proper, portal vein, common bile duct). The greater omentum hangs from the greater
curvature of the stomach. [CORRECT]
Q8. A student is tracing the path of a food bolus from the oral cavity to the stomach.
Which sequence correctly lists the anatomical regions the bolus passes through?
A. Oral cavity → Oropharynx → Laryngopharynx → Esophagus → Stomach
B. Oral cavity → Laryngopharynx → Oropharynx → Esophagus → Stomach
C. Oral cavity → Nasopharynx → Oropharynx → Esophagus → Stomach
D. Oral cavity → Oropharynx → Nasopharynx → Esophagus → Stomach
