Diabetes Mellitus USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 45-year-old man presents with episodic severe headaches, diaphoresis, and palpitations. Vital signs show BP 168/102 mmHg, HR 118 bpm, RR 16/min, temp 37.2°C. Physical examination reveals no focal neurologic deficits. A CT scan identifies a 3-cm left adrenal mass. Plasma free metanephrines are markedly elevated at 420 pg/mL (normal <90). The patient takes no antihypertensive medications. A pathology report notes the tumor arose from chromaffin cells. Which embryologic origin corresponds to the normal tissue from which this tumor developed?
Answer choices
- ASurface ectoderm
- BIntermediate mesoderm
- CParaxial mesoderm
- DEndoderm
- ENeural crestCorrect answer
- FSplanchnic mesoderm
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