Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: superfetation: practice question

A Forensic Medicine 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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Forensic Medicine · Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: superfetation

Sample item

Ultrasound shows two fetuses with a marked difference in gestational age, the younger conceived in a later menstrual cycle than the first. What is this phenomenon?

AFetus papyraceusBFetus in fetuCSuperfecundationDSuperfetation

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Superfetation

Superfetation is the fertilisation of a second ovum in a later cycle when a pregnancy is already established, so the fetuses differ in age. Superfecundation is two ova of the same cycle fertilised by separate acts, giving fetuses of equal age.

Option by option

A. Fetus papyraceus
Fetus papyraceus is a compressed dead twin that died early.
B. Fetus in fetu
Fetus in fetu is a parasitic twin enclosed within the body of its sibling.
C. Superfecundation
Superfecundation produces fetuses of the same age from one cycle.
D. Superfetation (correct)
Correct. Conception in a later cycle during an existing pregnancy is superfetation.

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.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Superfetation. Superfetation is the fertilisation of a second ovum in a later cycle when a pregnancy is already established, so the fetuses differ in age.

Why is "Fetus papyraceus" not the answer?

Fetus papyraceus is a compressed dead twin that died early.

Why is "Fetus in fetu" not the answer?

Fetus in fetu is a parasitic twin enclosed within the body of its sibling.

Why is "Superfecundation" not the answer?

Superfecundation produces fetuses of the same age from one cycle.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: superfetation in Forensic Medicine. Superfecundation is two ova of the same cycle fertilised by separate acts, giving fetuses of equal age.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: superfetation?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine 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.