GRAY'S ANATOMY FOR STUDENTS
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)RICHARD L. DRAKE
TEST BANK
MCQ 1
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Body — What is anatomy?
Stem
A 58-year-old patient is evaluated for progressive difficulty
coordinating hand movements while buttoning shirts. The
neurologist suspects a lesion affecting the organization of
sensory and motor maps. Which anatomical concept best
explains why a small, localized lesion can produce a specifically
patterned loss of function in the hand?
Options
A. Redundancy of function in visceral systems
B. Topographical organization of structures within the central
nervous system
,C. Segmental overlap of peripheral dermatomes in the trunk
D. Bilateral symmetry of paired organs
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): The CNS (especially cortical and subcortical areas) is
organized topographically such that adjacent neural tissues
represent specific body regions; a focal lesion can therefore
produce a distinct, localized deficit (e.g., a hand area
disturbance). This structure–function map explains precise
functional impairments and is emphasized in Gray’s when
discussing anatomical organization.
Incorrect (A): Redundancy is more applicable to some visceral
systems (e.g., collateral blood supply) and does not explain
finely localized sensorimotor mapping.
Incorrect (C): Dermatomal overlap in the trunk produces broad,
overlapping loss patterns, not the precise hand deficit
described.
Incorrect (D): Bilateral symmetry describes gross body plan, not
the fine topographical mapping that produces localized
dysfunction.
Teaching point
Topographical organization allows focal CNS lesions to produce
precise deficits.
Citation
Drake, R. L. (2024). Gray’s Anatomy for Students (5th Ed.). Ch. 1.
,MCQ 2
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Body — Imaging
Stem
A trauma patient undergoes a CT scan that shows a horizontal
(axial) slice through the abdomen. The surgeon asks for an
image slice that best shows relationships between anterior
abdominal wall layers and underlying viscera for planning a
midline incision. Which imaging plane and rationale most
directly guide the surgeon’s incision planning?
Options
A. Coronal plane — shows anterior–posterior relationships
across midline
B. Sagittal plane — shows left–right symmetry for lateral
structures
C. Axial (transverse) plane — shows cross-sectional
relationships of anterior wall to viscera
D. Oblique plane — best displays curved fascial planes for
incision mapping
Correct answer
C
Rationales
Correct (C): Axial (transverse) images provide clear cross-
sectional relationships between the anterior abdominal wall
, layers and the underlying viscera at a given level, which is
directly useful for planning a midline incision and avoiding
underlying structures. Gray’s highlights how transverse sections
are practical for surgical anatomy.
Incorrect (A): Coronal images show anterior–posterior extent
but are less intuitive for mapping cross-sectional relationships
at a specific axial level.
Incorrect (B): Sagittal images show medial–lateral relationships
in a plane, not the circular cross-section helpful for incision
depth and layer relationships.
Incorrect (D): Oblique planes can be useful selectively but are
not the standard first choice for planning a straight midline
incision.
Teaching point
Transverse (axial) sections best show cross-sectional
relationships for surgical planning.
Citation
Drake, R. L. (2024). Gray’s Anatomy for Students (5th Ed.). Ch. 1.
MCQ 3
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Body — Body systems
Stem
A medical student must explain why an isolated infection in the
pleural cavity may cause referred pain to the shoulder
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)RICHARD L. DRAKE
TEST BANK
MCQ 1
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Body — What is anatomy?
Stem
A 58-year-old patient is evaluated for progressive difficulty
coordinating hand movements while buttoning shirts. The
neurologist suspects a lesion affecting the organization of
sensory and motor maps. Which anatomical concept best
explains why a small, localized lesion can produce a specifically
patterned loss of function in the hand?
Options
A. Redundancy of function in visceral systems
B. Topographical organization of structures within the central
nervous system
,C. Segmental overlap of peripheral dermatomes in the trunk
D. Bilateral symmetry of paired organs
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): The CNS (especially cortical and subcortical areas) is
organized topographically such that adjacent neural tissues
represent specific body regions; a focal lesion can therefore
produce a distinct, localized deficit (e.g., a hand area
disturbance). This structure–function map explains precise
functional impairments and is emphasized in Gray’s when
discussing anatomical organization.
Incorrect (A): Redundancy is more applicable to some visceral
systems (e.g., collateral blood supply) and does not explain
finely localized sensorimotor mapping.
Incorrect (C): Dermatomal overlap in the trunk produces broad,
overlapping loss patterns, not the precise hand deficit
described.
Incorrect (D): Bilateral symmetry describes gross body plan, not
the fine topographical mapping that produces localized
dysfunction.
Teaching point
Topographical organization allows focal CNS lesions to produce
precise deficits.
Citation
Drake, R. L. (2024). Gray’s Anatomy for Students (5th Ed.). Ch. 1.
,MCQ 2
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Body — Imaging
Stem
A trauma patient undergoes a CT scan that shows a horizontal
(axial) slice through the abdomen. The surgeon asks for an
image slice that best shows relationships between anterior
abdominal wall layers and underlying viscera for planning a
midline incision. Which imaging plane and rationale most
directly guide the surgeon’s incision planning?
Options
A. Coronal plane — shows anterior–posterior relationships
across midline
B. Sagittal plane — shows left–right symmetry for lateral
structures
C. Axial (transverse) plane — shows cross-sectional
relationships of anterior wall to viscera
D. Oblique plane — best displays curved fascial planes for
incision mapping
Correct answer
C
Rationales
Correct (C): Axial (transverse) images provide clear cross-
sectional relationships between the anterior abdominal wall
, layers and the underlying viscera at a given level, which is
directly useful for planning a midline incision and avoiding
underlying structures. Gray’s highlights how transverse sections
are practical for surgical anatomy.
Incorrect (A): Coronal images show anterior–posterior extent
but are less intuitive for mapping cross-sectional relationships
at a specific axial level.
Incorrect (B): Sagittal images show medial–lateral relationships
in a plane, not the circular cross-section helpful for incision
depth and layer relationships.
Incorrect (D): Oblique planes can be useful selectively but are
not the standard first choice for planning a straight midline
incision.
Teaching point
Transverse (axial) sections best show cross-sectional
relationships for surgical planning.
Citation
Drake, R. L. (2024). Gray’s Anatomy for Students (5th Ed.). Ch. 1.
MCQ 3
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Body — Body systems
Stem
A medical student must explain why an isolated infection in the
pleural cavity may cause referred pain to the shoulder
