Respiratory: emphysema: practice question

A Pathology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pathology · Respiratory: emphysema

Sample item

A 62-year-old man with a 40 pack-year smoking history has progressive dyspnoea. Autopsy shows enlarged airspaces in the upper lobes, with the walls of respiratory bronchioles destroyed and distal alveoli spared. Which type of emphysema is this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Centriacinar emphysema

Centriacinar (centrilobular) emphysema affects the central part of the acinus, the respiratory bronchioles, and is strongly linked to smoking, with a predilection for the upper lobes. Panacinar emphysema involves the whole acinus and is seen in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency with lower lobe predominance. Paraseptal disease lies beneath the pleura.

Option by option

  • A. Panacinar emphysema

    Panacinar disease involves the whole acinus, with basal predominance in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

  • B. Centriacinar emphysema (correct)

    Correct. Central acinar destruction in the upper lobes of a smoker is typical.

  • C. Paraseptal emphysema

    Paraseptal disease is subpleural and predisposes to pneumothorax.

  • D. Irregular emphysema

    Irregular emphysema accompanies scarring and is usually asymptomatic.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Pathology questions

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is B, Centriacinar emphysema. Centriacinar (centrilobular) emphysema affects the central part of the acinus, the respiratory bronchioles, and is strongly linked to smoking, with a predilection for the upper lobes.

Why is "Panacinar emphysema" not the answer?

Panacinar disease involves the whole acinus, with basal predominance in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Why is "Paraseptal emphysema" not the answer?

Paraseptal disease is subpleural and predisposes to pneumothorax.

Why is "Irregular emphysema" not the answer?

Irregular emphysema accompanies scarring and is usually asymptomatic.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory: emphysema in Pathology. Panacinar emphysema involves the whole acinus and is seen in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency with lower lobe predominance. Paraseptal disease lies beneath the pleura.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Respiratory: emphysema?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.