Biology

Endocrine and Exocrine Glands

690 Questions

The endocrine and exocrine glands topic explores the human body's essential secreting structures, including the pituitary, thyroid, and salivary glands. Questions often focus on gland locations, their specific secretions, and crucial physiological functions. This subject is a core component of the general science syllabus across many highly competitive examinations.

Master endocrine glandsPituitary gland locationSalivary gland functionsThyroid and ductless glandsApocrine sweat glands

Endocrine and Exocrine Glands Questions

Multiple choice

The branch of facial nerve that passes through the submandibular salivary gland, divides it into two parts and travels along the lower border of the mandible is

  1. angular

  2. submental

  3. inferior labial

  4. marginal mandibular

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The marginal mandibular branches, of which there are usually two, run forwards towards the angle of the mandible under platysma, at first, superficial to the upper part of the digastrics triangle, then turning up and forwards across the body of the mandible to pass under depressor anguli oris.

Multiple choice

The gland known as the 'Master gland' of the endocrine system is

  1. pituitary gland

  2. thymus gland

  3. thyroid gland

  4. pineal gland
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The pituitary is often called the master gland because the hormones it secretes play an active part in controlling the activities of all the other endocrine glands. This impressive power is wielded from two little bumps at the base of the brain, about midway between the ears at eye level.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements regarding the pituitary gland is wrong?

  1. The pituitary gland is not connected to the hypothalamus.

  2. The pituitary gland is divided into adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis.

  3. On each side of the pituitary gland is the cavernous sinus.

  4. Disorders of the pituitary gland can cause hormonal and neurological defects in the body.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The gland is connected to a region of the brain called the hypothalamus by the pituitary stalk. Directly above the pituitary gland and in front of the pituitary stalk are the crossing fibers of the optic nerves, called the optic chiasm.

Multiple choice

Where are parotid glands located?

  1. Angle of lower jaw

  2. Below and in front of ears

  3. Below the tongue

  4. Between muscle fibres of the tongue
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Parotid glands occur below and in front of ears.

Multiple choice

In which of the following ducts is Sialolithiasis most common?

  1. Duct of parotid gland

  2. Duct of submandibular gland

  3. Duct of sublingual gland

  4. Duct of minor salivary glands
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Sialolithiasis (also termed salivary calculi) is a condition where a calcified mass or sialolith forms within a salivary gland, usually in the duct of the submandibular gland.

Multiple choice

What is the sequence of zones in the adrenal cortex?

  1. Zona fasciculata - Zona glomerulosa - Zona reticularis

  2. Zona reticularis - Zona fasciculata - Zona glomerulosa

  3. Zona glomerulosa - Zona fasciculata - Zona reticularis

  4. Zona reticularis - Zona glomerulosa - Zona fasciculata
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct sequence.

Multiple choice

Where are chromaffin cells present?

  1. Adrenal cortex

  2. Adrenal medulla

  3. Islets of Langerhans

  4. Pituitary gland
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Chromaffin cells are hormone-producing cells of the adrenal medulla.