FCPS Part 1 Radiology MCQs by Subject: Anatomy, Pathology & Physiology

HighYield's FCPS Part 1 Radiology question bank has ten imaging-subspecialty posts already — from Neuroradiology to Breast Imaging — but Anatomy, Pathology and Physiology, the three largest subjects in the entire bank at roughly 4,400 of its 7,300+ questions, don't yet have one. Below is a sample across all three.

Anatomy

1. The trachea bifurcates into the right and left main bronchi at the level of which thoracic vertebra, correlating with the carina on a chest radiograph?

• A) T2
• B) T4–T5 ✅
• C) T7
• D) T10

2. On a standard supine abdominal film, the right kidney is typically positioned slightly lower than the left because of the:

• A) Spleen
• B) Liver ✅
• C) Stomach
• D) Pancreas

Pathology

3. Psammoma bodies — laminated calcified concretions frequently visible on imaging — are classically associated with which tumour?

• A) Hepatocellular carcinoma
• B) Papillary thyroid carcinoma ✅
• C) Renal angiomyolipoma
• D) Adrenal adenoma

4. Caseous necrosis, often producing the calcified granulomas seen incidentally on chest imaging, is the classic tissue response to infection with:

• A) Staphylococcus aureus
• B) Mycobacterium tuberculosis ✅
• C) Streptococcus pneumoniae
• D) Candida albicans

Physiology

5. Erythropoietin, relevant to understanding marrow and renal imaging findings in chronic anaemia, is secreted mainly by the:

• A) Liver
• B) Kidney ✅
• C) Spleen
• D) Bone marrow itself

6. Central chemoreceptors in the medulla, relevant to understanding ventilatory patterns on dynamic chest imaging, respond primarily to changes in:

• A) Arterial oxygen tension directly
• B) Arterial CO2 via CSF pH ✅
• C) Haemoglobin concentration
• D) Serum potassium

Why These Subjects Still Matter

Anatomy, Pathology and Physiology are tested at FCPS Part 1 depth, integrated with radiological correlation rather than asked as isolated MBBS-level recall. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine make up most of the rest of the basic-sciences side and don't have dedicated coverage yet either.

HighYield's FCPS Part 1 Radiology question bank covers every subject in the paper, each question explained. For the exam's structure and duration, see our FCPS Radiology syllabus guide. Try the first 20 questions free, no sign-in required.