CMI Histology & Microscopic Anatomy Illustration

Question 1

When illustrating a histological section stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), which color would the cell nucleus typically appear?

Accepted Answer

Blue/purple

Answer

Hematoxylin binds to acidic structures such as chromatin in the nucleus, staining them blue/purple, while eosin stains cytoplasm and connective tissue pink.

Question 2

In a photomicrograph of skeletal muscle, which combination of features must a medical illustrator accurately depict to distinguish it from other muscle types?

Accepted Answer

Cross-striations and peripherally located nuclei

Answer

Skeletal muscle is characterized by prominent cross-striations from organized sarcomeres and multiple peripherally located nuclei, distinguishing it from cardiac and smooth muscle.

Question 3

A medical illustrator is referencing micrographs to depict cellular ultrastructure including ribosomes and mitochondrial cristae. Which imaging modality provides this level of resolution?

Accepted Answer

Transmission electron microscopy

Answer

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides nanometer-scale resolution needed to visualize subcellular organelles such as ribosomes and mitochondrial cristae.

Question 4

When illustrating a cross-section of a muscular artery, the medical illustrator must accurately depict which three concentric wall layers?

Accepted Answer

Tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica adventitia

Answer

Arteries have three wall layers: the inner tunica intima (endothelium), the thick tunica media (smooth muscle), and the outer tunica adventitia (connective tissue).

Question 5

A medical illustrator is working from a PAS (Periodic Acid-Schiff) stained tissue section. Which cellular components would appear magenta/pink in this preparation?

Accepted Answer

Glycogen and mucopolysaccharides

Answer

PAS oxidizes vicinal diol groups in carbohydrates to aldehydes, which then react with Schiff reagent to produce a magenta color, highlighting glycogen and mucopolysaccharides.

(CMI) Certified Medical Illustrator Practice Test

(CMI) Certified Medical Illustrator Practice Test

CMI Histology & Microscopic Anatomy Illustration