TheoryMRI ARRT Practice Questions
Free MRI ARRT practice questions with answers and plain-English explanations. Browse the PDF, video and online mock test.
MRI ARRT Questions
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Q1Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for processing visual information?
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✓ Correct answer: Occipital lobe
The occipital lobe, located at the posterior of the brain, contains the primary visual cortex (V1) and is the main processing center for visual input from the retina.
Q2On a sagittal MRI brain image, the central sulcus separates which two lobes?
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✓ Correct answer: Frontal and parietal
The central sulcus (Rolandic fissure) runs in the coronal plane and forms the boundary between the frontal lobe anteriorly and the parietal lobe posteriorly.
Q3CSF produced in the lateral ventricles flows into the third ventricle through which structure?
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✓ Correct answer: Foramen of Monro
The interventricular foramina of Monro (foramina of Monro) connect each lateral ventricle to the midline third ventricle, allowing CSF to flow between these chambers.
Q4On axial MRI, the cerebral aqueduct (of Sylvius) connects which two structures?
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✓ Correct answer: Third ventricle to fourth ventricle
The cerebral aqueduct is a narrow CSF channel running through the midbrain tegmentum, linking the third ventricle superiorly to the fourth ventricle inferiorly.
Q5Which choroid plexus produces the greatest volume of CSF in the adult brain?
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✓ Correct answer: Lateral ventricle choroid plexus
The choroid plexus within the lateral ventricles (particularly in the trigone/glomus region) produces approximately 70–80% of total CSF, far exceeding the contributions from the third and fourth ventricle plexuses.
Q6On a coronal MRI, the caudate nucleus and putamen are separated by which structure?
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✓ Correct answer: Internal capsule
The internal capsule (anterior limb and genu) passes between the caudate head medially and the lentiform nucleus (putamen + globus pallidus) laterally, visually separating the caudate from the putamen.
Q7On T2-weighted MRI the globus pallidus typically appears hypointense compared to the putamen. This is primarily due to:
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✓ Correct answer: Iron deposition
Normal iron accumulation in the globus pallidus (and substantia nigra) causes T2 shortening (hypointensity). This physiologic iron deposition increases with age and is greatest in the globus pallidus among the basal ganglia nuclei.
Q8The lentiform nucleus is composed of which two structures?
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✓ Correct answer: Putamen and globus pallidus
The lentiform (lenticular) nucleus consists of the putamen laterally and the globus pallidus (divided into external and internal segments) medially. Together with the caudate nucleus it forms the striatum (as a functional unit).
Q9From superior to inferior, what is the correct order of brainstem divisions?
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✓ Correct answer: Midbrain, pons, medulla
The brainstem is divided superiorly to inferiorly as midbrain (mesencephalon), pons (metencephalon), and medulla oblongata (myelencephalon), transitioning into the spinal cord at the foramen magnum.
Q10Which cranial nerve exits the dorsal surface of the brainstem?
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✓ Correct answer: CN IV
The trochlear nerve (CN IV) is unique in exiting the dorsal (posterior) surface of the midbrain, just below the inferior colliculi. All other cranial nerves emerge from the ventral or lateral brainstem surfaces.
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