Physiology II Actual Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed –
A+ Graded
Section A: Digestive System Anatomy & Histology (Questions 1–6)
Q1: Which option lists the four basic layers of the gastrointestinal tract wall in the
correct order from the lumen outward?
A. Serosa, muscularis externa, submucosa, mucosa
B. Mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, serosa [CORRECT]
C. Submucosa, mucosa, muscularis externa, serosa
D. Muscularis externa, serosa, mucosa, submucosa
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The GI wall is organized mucosa → submucosa → muscularis externa →
serosa moving outward from the lumen. The other options reverse or scramble this
fixed histologic sequence.
Q2: Chyme passes from the stomach into the duodenum through which structure?
A. Lower esophageal sphincter
B. Ileocecal valve
C. Pyloric sphincter [CORRECT]
D. Internal anal sphincter
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pyloric sphincter guards the stomach-to-duodenum junction and
regulates chyme release. The lower esophageal sphincter opens into the stomach, the
ileocecal valve joins small and large intestine, and the anal sphincters control
defecation.
Q3: A 45-year-old reports burning retrosternal pain after meals and when lying down,
worsened by coffee, chocolate, and late-night eating. Dysfunction of which structure is
the most likely cause?
A. Lower esophageal sphincter [CORRECT]
B. Pyloric sphincter
C. Ileocecal valve
, D. External anal sphincter
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A weak or inappropriately relaxed lower esophageal sphincter allows acidic
gastric contents to reflux into the esophagus, producing heartburn (GERD). The other
sphincters are located distal to the stomach or anus and cannot produce reflux into the
esophagus.
Q4: A patient with recurrent right upper quadrant pain after fatty meals develops yellow
sclera and dark urine. Imaging shows a stone lodged in the duct that carries bile from
the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum. Which structure is obstructed?
A. Cystic duct alone
B. Pancreatic duct
C. Hepatic artery
D. Common bile duct [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Obstruction of the common bile duct prevents bilirubin-containing bile from
reaching the intestine, so conjugated bilirubin backs up into blood, causing jaundice and
dark urine. A stone confined to the cystic duct causes biliary colic but classically not
jaundice, and the pancreatic duct and hepatic artery do not carry bile.
Q5: A 38-year-old with H. pylori infection has a gnawing epigastric pain that improves
with eating but returns 2–3 hours after meals; endoscopy reveals an ulcer in the first
portion of the duodenum. Which mechanism best explains this pain pattern?
A. Bile reflux into the esophagus
B. Acidic chyme entering the duodenum contacts the ulcerated duodenal mucosa
[CORRECT]
C. Pancreatic enzymes digesting the colonic wall
D. Excess mucus secretion in the stomach
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In duodenal ulcers, gastric acid delivered with chyme burns exposed
duodenal tissue; food buffers the acid so eating relieves pain, and pain returns as the
stomach empties. Bile reflux causes esophageal symptoms, pancreatic enzymes act in
the small intestine, and excess mucus would be protective rather than injurious.
Q6: A patient with right lower quadrant pain, fever, and rebound tenderness undergoes
CT showing a ruptured appendix with peritoneal inflammation. Which analysis of this
presentation is correct?
A. The gallbladder ruptured, spilling bile into the thoracic cavity
B. Referred diaphragmatic pain indicates isolated gastric perforation