Histology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 19-year-old male athlete presents with acute left knee pain following a twisting injury during soccer. Vital signs: BP 118/76, HR 92, RR 16, Temp 37°C, SpO2 98%. MRI reveals a longitudinal tear of the medial meniscus with displaced fragment. Laboratory studies show normal inflammatory markers. He denies prior knee surgery or connective tissue disorders. Histologic examination of the excised meniscal tissue would most likely demonstrate which of the following?
Answer choices
- AElastic cartilage with abundant elastic fibers
- BWoven bone with irregular osteoid
- CHyaline cartilage with a glassy matrix and type II collagen
- DReticular connective tissue with type III collagen
- EFibrocartilage with dense type I collagen bundlesCorrect answer
- FStratified squamous epithelium with keratinized surface layers
See the full explanation
Get the correct-answer rationale, why each distractor is wrong, the underlying mechanism, and high-yield associations — plus adaptive practice that targets your weak areas — with a free MedBoardPRO account.