UTC Ultrasound Technologist Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which cell type in the pancreas produces glucagon?
- Beta cells
- Delta cells
- Alpha cells (Correct answer)
- Acinar cells
Correct answer: Alpha cells
Alpha cells in the islets of Langerhans secrete glucagon, which raises blood glucose by stimulating hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.
Question 2: On ultrasound, the normal pancreatic duct diameter should not exceed:
- 1 mm
- 2 mm
- 3 mm (Correct answer)
- 5 mm
Correct answer: 3 mm
The main pancreatic duct (duct of Wirsung) normally measures ≤3 mm in adults; dilation beyond this raises concern for obstruction or chronic pancreatitis.
Question 3: Which hormone, secreted by the posterior pituitary, regulates water reabsorption in the kidney collecting ducts?
- Aldosterone
- Oxytocin
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) (Correct answer)
- Atrial natriuretic peptide
Correct answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
ADH (vasopressin) acts on aquaporin channels in the collecting duct to increase water reabsorption and concentrate urine.
Question 4: The right ovarian vein drains directly into the:
- Right renal vein
- Inferior vena cava (Correct answer)
- Right common iliac vein
- Portal vein
Correct answer: Inferior vena cava
Unlike the left ovarian vein (which drains into the left renal vein), the right ovarian vein drains directly into the inferior vena cava, mirroring gonadal vein asymmetry seen in males.
Question 5: Which tendon is evaluated at the posterior ankle and is the largest tendon in the body?
- Peroneus longus tendon
- Posterior tibial tendon
- Achilles tendon (Correct answer)
- Flexor hallucis longus tendon
Correct answer: Achilles tendon
The Achilles (calcaneal) tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body, connecting the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus.
Question 6: Bile is stored in the gallbladder and released in response to which hormone?
- Secretin
- Gastrin
- Cholecystokinin (CCK) (Correct answer)
- Motilin
Correct answer: Cholecystokinin (CCK)
CCK, released by duodenal I cells in response to fat and protein, stimulates gallbladder contraction and relaxes the sphincter of Oddi to release bile.
Question 7: The saphenofemoral junction, an important landmark in lower extremity venous duplex, is located:
- At the popliteal fossa
- At the medial ankle
- In the femoral triangle where the great saphenous vein joins the femoral vein (Correct answer)
- At the inguinal ligament where the femoral vein becomes the external iliac
Correct answer: In the femoral triangle where the great saphenous vein joins the femoral vein
The saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) is where the great saphenous vein joins the common femoral vein in the femoral triangle, typically about 4 cm below the inguinal ligament.
UTC Ultrasound Technologist Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals 3
Which cell type in the pancreas produces glucagon?