Histology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 35-year-old woman with a known pituitary adenoma undergoes surgery. Histologic examination of the resected tissue reveals polygonal cells with eccentric nuclei and basophilic cytoplasm organized in nests separated by a rich vascular network. The cells stain positive for growth hormone. Which of the following histologic features is most consistent with this diagnosis?
Answer choices
- ASpindle cells with fascicular arrangement and palisading nuclei
- BSquamous metaplasia with keratinization and inflammatory infiltrate
- CClear cells with lipid content and trabecular organization
- DFollicular arrangement with colloid material and sparse vascularization
- ESomatotroph cells with basophilic cytoplasm and perivascular arrangementCorrect answer
- FChromophobe cells with pale cytoplasm and sinusoidal arrangement
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.