Embryology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 24-year-old woman presents with recurrent acute pancreatitis. Vital signs show BP 138/82 mmHg, HR 102/min, RR 18/min, temperature 37.8°C. She denies alcohol use and has no gallstones on ultrasound. Serum lipase is elevated at 450 U/L. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography reveals most pancreatic secretions drain through the minor papilla, with the dorsal and ventral pancreatic duct systems remaining separate. Which embryologic defect best explains these findings?
Answer choices
- ASeptum transversum
- BFailure of fusion of pancreatic budsCorrect answer
- CPleuroperitoneal membranes
- DFailure of recanalization
- EAbnormal migration of ventral pancreatic bud
- FAnnular pancreas
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