Based on the provided preliminary examination papers, here is a categorized list of long answer
questions, short note topics, and questions requiring physiological reasoning.
Long Answer Questions
These questions require detailed, structured, and comprehensive answers, often based on a
clinical case or a fundamental physiological process.
● Ascending Tracts: Define ascending tracts, describe the dorsal column pathway in
detail, and add a note on Brown-Séquard syndrome.
● Basal Ganglia: Enumerate the structural components of the basal ganglia, describe their
functions, and add a note on the effects of lesions.
● Cerebellum: Describe the functions of the cerebellum, its internal circuitry, and add a
note on cerebellar syndrome.
● Visual Pathway: Draw a labeled diagram of the visual pathway, mention the effects of
lesions at different levels, and add a note on presbyopia.
● Synapse: Define and classify synapses, and describe the properties of chemical
synapses.
● Case Study (Movement Disorder): A 72-year-old male with a history of hypertension
presents with slow movements, resting tremors, muscle rigidity, loss of balance, a
mask-like facial expression, and slurred speech. The question requires a diagnosis, the
anatomical site of the lesion, a description of the functions of the basal ganglia, and the
pathophysiology of the disease.
● Case Study (Endocrine Disorder): A 36-year-old female presents with weakness,
excessive urination, increased appetite, and unintentional weight loss, with a fasting blood
sugar of 190 mg/dl. The question asks for the probable diagnosis, pathophysiology,
clinical features, investigations, and treatment protocol.
● Case Study (Cerebellar Disorder): A neurologist observes a patient with a waddling
gait, intention tremor, and dysmetria. The question asks to identify the neural organ
involved, describe its neural circuits, and explain the physiological basis of the signs and
symptoms.
● Case Study (Precocious Puberty): The parents of a 7-year-old girl are concerned
because she has started her period and shows other secondary sexual characteristics.
The question asks for the diagnosis, definitions of puberty and menarche, and notes on
the stages and abnormalities of puberty.
Give the Reasons
These questions require a concise physiological explanation for a specific phenomenon or
clinical observation.
● Nervous System:
○ Why a person who withdraws their leg from a sharp object does not fall (Crossed
extensor reflex).
○ Why a soldier who lost an arm complains of phantom limb pain.
○ Why it is impossible to sleep when in severe pain.
○ Why cerebellar lesions cause intention tremors.
○ The reason for hyperreflexia in upper motor neuron lesions.
○ Why patients with Wernicke's aphasia speak fluently but make little sense.
○ Why REM sleep is also called paradoxical sleep.
○ Why a muscle relaxes instead of contracting when excessively stretched (Inverse
stretch reflex).
○ Why Schwann cells are an integral part of the peripheral nervous system.
● Special Senses:
○ Why Snellen's chart for visual acuity is kept at a distance of 6 meters.
○ Why myopia can be corrected with a specific type of lens.
○ Why visual acuity is maximal at the fovea.
○ Why a person underwater is unable to locate the source of a sound.
○ Why candies or chocolates are often served on flights before takeoff (related to
pressure changes in the middle ear).
● Endocrinology & Reproduction:
○ Why carpopedal spasm is seen in severe hypocalcemia.
○ Why a positive feedback cycle is initiated during ovulation.
○ The physiological basis for how a person with elevated aldosterone can maintain
normal sodium and fluid levels (Aldosterone escape).
○ Why cryptorchidism (undescended testes) produces sterility.
○ Why there is hyperglycemia in Cushing's syndrome.
○ Why the sympathetic nervous system is called the "Nerves of Today".
○ Why growth hormone is considered anabolic, ketogenic, and diabetogenic.
● Autonomic Nervous System & Homeostasis:
○ Why sympathetic stimulation causes pupillary dilatation.
○ Why newborns are particularly prone to hypothermia.
○ The physiological basis of the "Double Bohr effect" at the placenta.
Short Notes
These topics require a focused and descriptive summary.
● Nervous System - General:
○ Blood-Brain Barrier
○ Properties of receptors
○ Wallerian degeneration
○ Properties of nerve fibers
○ Neuromuscular transmission
○ Properties of synapse
○ Neurotransmitters
○ Saltatory conduction
○ Nerve action potential
○ Classification of nerve fibers
● Nervous System - Sensory:
○ Mechanism of Hearing
○ Functions of the middle ear
○ Light reflex and Accommodation reflex
○ Errors of refraction (e.g., Myopia) and their correction
○ Pain pathway and referred pain
○ Dark adaptation
● Nervous System - Motor & Integrative:
○ Functions of Basal Ganglia
○ Functions of Cerebellum
○ Functions of Thalamus
○ Functions of Hypothalamus
○ Brown-Séquard Syndrome
○ Amnesia and Memory Consolidation
○ Physiology of Memory
○ Conditioned reflex
○ Cortical speech centers (e.g., Broca's area)
○ Spinal Shock
○ Comparison of Upper and Lower Motor Neuron Lesions
● Autonomic Nervous System (ANS):
○ Functions of the Autonomic Nervous System
○ Parasympathetic nervous system
○ Fight or flight syndrome/reaction
● Endocrinology:
○ Thyrotoxicosis
○ Functions of Thyroid hormone
○ Physiological actions of Insulin
○ Hypersecretion of Growth Hormone / Acromegaly
○ Functions of Growth Hormone
○ Diabetes Insipidus
○ Clinical features of Cushing's syndrome
○ Physiological actions of ADH, Aldosterone, and Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
○ Calcitriol (Vitamin D)
○ Calcium homeostasis
○ Myxoedema
● Reproductive Physiology:
○ Menstrual cycle and hormonal changes
○ Functions of Sertoli cells and Testosterone
○ Contraceptive methods (male and female)
○ Spermatogenesis and its regulation
○ Ovulation
○ Physiology of Lactation and Milk ejection reflex
○ Functions of Placenta
○ Functions of Estrogen
○ Maternal changes during pregnancy
● Applied & Integrated Physiology:
○ Mechanisms of Heat Loss & Body Temperature Regulation
○ Heat stroke
○ Cardiovascular changes during exercise
○ Physiological effects of meditation and yoga
○ Diabetes Mellitus
○ Obesity
● AETCOM (Attitude, Ethics, and Communication):
○ Empathy in the Doctor-Patient relationship
○ The Doctor-Patient relationship (ideal characteristics, partnership)
