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DNB Anatomy Previous Year Questions

These are the DNB Anatomy theory questions asked by NBEMS in the December 2025 and June 2025 exams, listed paper by paper as they appeared. The Prep DNB app has all 17 DNB sessions from December 2014 to December 2025 — 670 questions in total — with repeat-question tracking, examiner keywords and MCQs.

Jump to: December 2025 · June 2025 · Important topics · Older papers

DNB Anatomy December 2025 Question Paper

Paper 1

  1. a) Describe the ultrastructure of thymus. [5] b) What are the microscopic age changes in thymus? [5]
  2. Describe the development of brain. Add a note on the molecular regulation of the development of brainstem. [8+2]
  3. a) Development of kidney. [5] b) Congenital anomalies of the urinary system. [5]
  4. Describe the ultrastructure of human sperm. Add a note on capacitation. [8+2]
  5. Describe the special stains for lipids, reticular fibers and blood cells. [10]
  6. Classify and give a brief account of cartilaginous joints. Add a note on Marfan's syndrome. [7+3]
  7. Describe the microanatomy of compact bone. Add a note on calcification of bone. [8+2]
  8. Describe the microanatomy of stomach. Tabulate the differences between the three parts of small intestine. [7+3]
  9. a) What is the function of amnion? [5] b) Describe the derivatives of yolk sac. [5]
  10. Describe the microscopic and visual changes during ageing of skin. [10]

Paper 2

  1. Describe the production, circulation and absorption of cerebrospinal fluid. [10]
  2. Describe sympathetic chain. Add a note on stellate ganglia. [10]
  3. Describe the various lesions of the optic tract and their affect/disability in the patient. [10]
  4. Describe the basal nuclei. Add a note on age related changes in substantia nigra. [10]
  5. Describe spinal segments. Add a note on the internal structure of spinal segments from cervical to sacral level. [10]
  6. Classify and give a brief note on inborn errors of metabolism. [10]
  7. Describe ascending reticular activating system. [10]
  8. Classify chromosomal abnormalities. Discuss Edward syndrome in detail. [10]
  9. Discuss the transverse section of brain stem at the level of olive. [10]
  10. Describe the location, significance and blood supply of internal capsule. [10]

Paper 3

  1. Discuss pleural recesses and their applied aspect. [10]
  2. Describe the procedure, indications and complications of pudendal nerve block. [4+3+3]
  3. Describe the mode of injury, muscles affected, trophic changes and disability of the patient in Erb's palsy. [2+2+3+3]
  4. Describe the gross and microscopic anatomy of oesophagus. Add a note on clinical anatomy of oesophagus. [10]
  5. Discuss the applied aspect of cerebellar palsy. [10]
  6. Describe the causes, presentations and disability in patients with shoulder glenoid labral tears. [3+4+3]
  7. Discuss the basivertebral venous system. What is its clinical significance? [10]
  8. Discuss the applied aspect and the lymphatic drainage of mammary gland. [5+5]
  9. Discuss the anatomy of ankle joint and comment on a few ankle joint injuries. [10]
  10. a) Trendelenburg sign for hip. [5] b) Pulled elbow. [5]

Paper 4

  1. Computer assisted radio monitoring. [10]
  2. Compare the merits and demerits of computerized tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging. [10]
  3. Discuss movements of respiration. Add a note on obstructive lung disease. [10]
  4. Discuss the merits and demerits of soft embalming over conventional embalming. [10]
  5. Discuss the Body Donation Program. Add a note on National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization. [10]
  6. Discuss the biomedical waste disposal in detail. [10]
  7. Discuss the subdermal contraceptive implant. What are its merits and demerits? [10]
  8. Describe the speech areas of brain. [10]
  9. Compare and contrast in a tabulated form, the shoulder joint and hip joint. [10]
  10. Discuss the lumbricals of hand and foot. Describe their role in fine movements of hand. [10]

DNB Anatomy June 2025 Question Paper

Paper 1

  1. a) Primitive streak. [5] b) Development of atrial septum with any two congenital anomalies. [5]
  2. a) Stages of midgut rotation. [5] b) Development of face. [5]
  3. a) Describe the ultrastructure of the skeletal muscle fiber. [5] b) Discuss the different types of skeletal muscle fibers. [5]
  4. Describe the microanatomy of lymph node. Compare and contrast it with other secondary lymphoid organ/tissue in the form of a table. [5+5]
  5. Write briefly on the different types of hepatic lobules. Add a note on the development of gall bladder with its common congenital anomalies. [5+5]
  6. Describe the microstructure and the development of the retina. [5+5]
  7. a) Junctional complex. [5] b) Glomerular basement membrane. [5]
  8. a) Discuss the molecular regulation of development of the male gonads. [4] b) Discuss the descent of testis and its applied anatomy. [4+2]
  9. a) Maturation of ovarian follicle. [5] b) Microscopic anatomy of dorsal root ganglion. [5]
  10. a) Describe the microanatomy of the alveoli including the blood-air barrier. [5] b) Discuss the stages of lung development. [5]

Paper 2

  1. Describe the corpus striatum under the following headings: a) Parts, relations and connections. [8] b) Applied anatomy. [2]
  2. a) Hippocampus. [5] b) Functional components of vagus nerve. [5]
  3. Describe the hypothalamus under the following headings: a) Boundaries. [2.5] b) Various nuclei with connections. [2.5] c) Functions. [2.5] d) Clinical aspects. [2.5]
  4. a) Neural circuitry of the cerebellum. [5] b) Differences between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. [5]
  5. a) Cross-section of medulla oblongata at level of sensory decussation. [5] b) Different functional areas and their arterial supply on the superolateral surface of cerebrum. [5]
  6. Describe synapse under the following headings: a) Structure. [2.5] b) Different types. [2.5] c) Neurotransmitters. [2.5] d) Clinical significance. [2.5]
  7. Describe the structural chromosomal aberrations in detail. [10]
  8. a) Cavernous sinus. [5] b) Myelination. [5]
  9. Describe the different types of Pedigree chart and its importance in genetic counselling. [10]
  10. a) Genomic imprinting. [5] b) HOX genes. [5]

Paper 3

  1. Describe the anatomical basis of the following: a) Porters tip position. [5] b) Prolapse of intervertebral disc. [5]
  2. Describe the anatomical basis of the following: a) Hoarseness of voice after thyroid surgery. [5] b) Pharyngeal pouch. [5]
  3. Describe the coronary circulation in detail. Add a note on the applied aspects. [7+3]
  4. Describe the anatomical basis of metastasis of cancer of mammary gland. Add a note on the clinical manifestations. [7+3]
  5. a) Hepatic segments. [5] b) Openings of thoracoabdominal diaphragm. [5]
  6. Describe the anatomical basis of the following: a) Referred pain. [5] b) Waddling gait. [5]
  7. a) Lymphatic drainage of uterus with applied anatomy. [5] b) Talocalcaneonavicular joint. [5]
  8. Describe the male urethra under the following headings: a) Parts and relations. [4] b) Internal features. [4] c) Applied anatomy. [2]
  9. Describe the anatomical basis of the following: a) Pudendal nerve block. [5] b) Varicose veins in inferior extremity. [5]
  10. Describe the Portal vein under the following headings: a) Formation, tributaries and relations. [4] b) Sites of portosystemic anastomosis. [4] c) Clinical significance. [2]

Paper 4

  1. a) Describe the cervical sympathetic chain. [7] b) Add a note on its applied anatomy. [3]
  2. Describe the lacrimal gland under the following headings: a) Gross features and relations. [4] b) Nerve supply. [4] c) Applied aspects. [2]
  3. Describe the joints, muscles and axis involved in inversion and eversion of the foot. [10]
  4. a) Describe the bronchopulmonary segments of the lungs. [7] b) Add a note on the applied aspects. [3]
  5. a) 3D printing and its use in medical sciences. [5] b) Intravenous pyelography. [5]
  6. a) Describe the parts and relations of duodenum. [6] b) Add a note on the blood supply and applied aspects. [4]
  7. a) Lumbar plexus. [5] b) Femoral sheath. [5]
  8. a) Prostatic glands. [5] b) Inguinal group of lymph nodes. [5]
  9. Describe the abduction of shoulder joint in detail. [10]
  10. a) Perineal pouches. [5] b) Azygous vein. [5]

High-Yield DNB Anatomy Topics

A selection of 27 of the 65 important topics curated in the app from repeated DNB Anatomy questions.

Neuroanatomy — highest yield

  • Internal capsule: parts, fibres, blood supply, hemiplegia patterns
  • Brainstem cross-sections: medulla (olive, decussation), pons, midbrain — nuclei and tracts
  • Corticospinal/pyramidal tract: course, decussation, UMN vs LMN lesions

Embryology — high yield

  • Germ layer derivatives: ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm with examples
  • Pharyngeal/pharyngeal arches: derivatives, cleft lip/palate, branchial anomalies
  • Development of heart: septation, fetal circulation, common anomalies (ASD, VSD, TOF, PDA, CoA)

Head and neck

  • Thyroid and parathyroid: surgical anatomy, relations, blood supply, recurrent laryngeal nerve
  • Parotid and submandibular glands: relations, duct, nerve supply, Frey's syndrome
  • Larynx: cartilages, muscles (nerve supply/actions), vocal cords

Thorax

  • Heart: chambers, valves, conducting system, coronary circulation (dominance, anastomoses)
  • Pericardium, mediastinum divisions, and thoracic duct
  • Lungs: fissures, bronchopulmonary segments, pleural recesses

Abdomen

  • Inguinal canal: boundaries, contents, indirect vs direct hernia, Hesselbach's triangle
  • Liver: Couinaud segments, portal triad, portocaval anastomoses, clinical significance
  • Extrahepatic biliary apparatus: Calot's triangle, cystic duct, CBD

Pelvis and perineum

  • Uterus: supports (ligaments), blood supply, lymphatic drainage (applied to ca cervix)
  • Prostate, bladder, rectum/anal canal: anatomy, sphincters, hemorrhoids
  • Ischioanal fossa, perineal pouches, pudendal nerve block anatomy

Upper and lower limb

  • Brachial plexus: formation, cords, branches, Erb's and Klumpke's palsy
  • Shoulder joint: rotator cuff, dislocation, glenoid labrum, abduction mechanism
  • Axilla and cubital fossa contents

Histology — commonly examined

  • Peripheral nerve: endoneurium, perineurium, epineurium
  • Cardiac muscle: intercalated discs, gap junctions
  • Lymph node and spleen: microanatomy and functions

Genetics

  • Karyotyping and chromosomal aberrations: numerical and structural
  • Down, Edwards, Patau syndromes; Turner and Klinefelter syndromes
  • Modes of inheritance: AD, AR, X-linked; pedigree charts and genetic counselling

Older DNB Anatomy Question Papers

The remaining 15 papers are available in the Prep DNB app, organized paper-wise with repeat-question tracking.

Get all 17 papers in the app

Previous Year Questions for Other DNB Subjects