100+ Free RANZCR Anatomy Practice Questions

Pass your RANZCR Clinical Radiology Phase 1 - Anatomy exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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RANZCR's Phase 1 Written Examination Report for 2025 Sitting 1 recorded an Anatomy pass rate (including conceded passes) of 92% (128 pass + 3 conceded pass of 142 candidates); the 2025 Sitting 2 report recorded 91% (35 pass + 6 conceded pass of 45 candidates). Rates vary by sitting. Pass Rate

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Sample RANZCR Anatomy Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your RANZCR Anatomy exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1On a cerebral angiogram, which artery most commonly completes the posterior part of the Circle of Willis by connecting the internal carotid and posterior cerebral arteries?

A.Anterior communicating artery

B.Posterior communicating artery

C.Basilar artery

D.Anterior choroidal artery

Explanation: The posterior communicating artery links the internal carotid artery to the posterior cerebral artery and is the most variable component of the Circle of Willis.

2Which sequence describes normal cerebrospinal fluid flow from a lateral ventricle to the fourth ventricle?

A.Interventricular foramen, third ventricle, cerebral aqueduct

B.Cerebral aqueduct, interventricular foramen, third ventricle

C.Median aperture, third ventricle, cerebral aqueduct

D.Choroid plexus directly into the cisterna magna

Explanation: CSF flows from each lateral ventricle through the interventricular foramen (of Monro) into the third ventricle, then through the cerebral aqueduct (of Sylvius) into the fourth ventricle.

3On an axial MRI at the level of the basal ganglia, the genu of the internal capsule lies between which paired structures?

A.Caudate nucleus and putamen

B.Thalamus and globus pallidus

C.Head of caudate and lentiform nucleus

D.Putamen and claustrum

Explanation: The genu of the internal capsule is the anterior bend situated between the head of the caudate nucleus medially and the lentiform nucleus (putamen and globus pallidus) laterally.

4Which basal ganglia structure forms the C-shaped grey matter along the floor of the lateral ventricle?

A.Putamen

B.Globus pallidus

C.Caudate nucleus

D.Substantia nigra

Explanation: The caudate nucleus is C-shaped, with a head in the frontal horn, body along the lateral ventricle, and tail curving toward the amygdala.

5The thalamus is separated from the hypothalamus inferiorly by which structure on coronal imaging?

A.Internal capsule

B.Hypothalamic sulcus on the wall of the third ventricle

C.Fornix

D.Lamina terminalis

Explanation: The hypothalamic sulcus on the lateral wall of the third ventricle marks the superior boundary of the hypothalamus and inferior border of the thalamus.

6Which cerebellar peduncle carries predominantly efferent fibres from the cerebellum to the brainstem?

A.Inferior cerebellar peduncle

B.Middle cerebellar peduncle

C.Superior cerebellar peduncle

D.Flocculonodular peduncle

Explanation: The superior cerebellar peduncle carries mainly cerebellar output (dentatothalamic and dentatorubral fibres) to the midbrain and thalamus.

7Occlusion of the stem of the middle cerebral artery (M1) most commonly produces deficits in which vascular territory?

A.Anterior frontal lobe and medial leg area

B.Lateral convexity of the hemisphere including Broca and Wernicke areas

C.Occipital lobe and visual cortex

D.Medial temporal lobe and hippocampus only

Explanation: The MCA supplies the lateral cerebral hemisphere, including language areas on the dominant side and much of the motor/sensory cortex for face and upper limb.

8Which part of the corpus callosum connects the frontal lobes across the midline?

A.Splenium

B.Genu

C.Isthmus

D.Tapetum

Explanation: The genu is the anterior bulbous part of the corpus callosum connecting frontal lobe commissural fibres.

9On a mid-sagittal MRI, the cerebral aqueduct passes through which brainstem structure?

A.Pons

B.Midbrain (mesencephalon)

C.Medulla oblongata

D.Cerebellar vermis

Explanation: The cerebral aqueduct (of Sylvius) courses through the midbrain, connecting the third and fourth ventricles.

10Which dural venous sinus runs along the attached margin of the falx cerebri and receives the superior cerebral veins?

A.Transverse sinus

B.Superior sagittal sinus

C.Straight sinus

D.Sigmoid sinus

Explanation: The superior sagittal sinus lies in the attached edge of the falx cerebri from the crista galli to the confluence, draining cortical veins.

About the RANZCR Anatomy Exam

The RANZCR Clinical Radiology Phase 1 Anatomy examination is one of two Phase 1 written papers (with Applied Imaging Technology) that clinical radiology trainees in Australia and New Zealand must pass before progressing to Phase 2 training. The 3-hour paper tests cross-sectional and gross radiological anatomy across six body regions - brain, head and neck, spine, thorax, abdomen and pelvis, and limbs - through 60 multiple choice questions, 20 labelling questions with six labels each, 30 very short answer questions, and 20 short answer questions. It is offered twice yearly, typically in April and October, on a separate day from the AIT paper.

Assessment

One 3-hour written paper (plus 5 minutes reading time): 60 MCQs (best of five options, 1 mark each, 60 marks), 20 labelling questions (6 labels and 1.5 marks per question, 30 marks), 30 very short answer questions (1 mark each, 30 marks), and 20 short answer questions (3 marks each, 60 marks), for 180 marks total. Delivered twice a year via an online proctored platform, on a separate day from the AIT paper.

Time Limit

3 hours, with 5 minutes reading time.

Passing Score

Standard-set for each sitting; RANZCR does not publish a fixed numerical pass mark. Candidates must meet the overall passing standard and minimum standards in all six Anatomy topic areas.

Exam Fee

AUD 2,550 (NZD 3,155) for the Anatomy paper only in calendar year 2026; AUD 4,565 (NZD 5,825) for a full Phase 1 sitting (Anatomy + AIT). Fees are reviewed annually by RANZCR. (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR))

RANZCR Anatomy Exam Content Outline

20%

Brain

Cerebral lobes, ventricular system, basal ganglia, internal capsule, cerebellum, brainstem, cranial fossae, meninges, and the intracranial arterial and venous anatomy.

15%

Head and Neck

Orbits, paranasal sinuses, temporal bone, larynx and pharynx, thyroid and salivary glands, skull base foramina, and neck spaces and lymph node levels.

10%

Spine

Vertebral column segments, intervertebral discs, spinal cord and conus medullaris/cauda equina, spinal canal contents, and craniovertebral junction.

15%

Thorax

Mediastinal compartments, cardiac chambers and coronary arteries, tracheobronchial tree and bronchopulmonary segments, great vessels, pericardium, and diaphragm.

25%

Abdomen and Pelvis

Hepatobiliary anatomy (Couinaud segments, portal triad), gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and spleen, retroperitoneum, peritoneal recesses, and pelvic viscera.

15%

Limbs

Upper and lower limb joints and ligaments, brachial and lumbosacral plexus anatomy, peripheral nerve and vascular courses, carpal/tarsal bones, and key musculotendinous anatomy.

How to Pass the RANZCR Anatomy Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Standard-set for each sitting; RANZCR does not publish a fixed numerical pass mark. Candidates must meet the overall passing standard and minimum standards in all six Anatomy topic areas.
Assessment: One 3-hour written paper (plus 5 minutes reading time): 60 MCQs (best of five options, 1 mark each, 60 marks), 20 labelling questions (6 labels and 1.5 marks per question, 30 marks), 30 very short answer questions (1 mark each, 30 marks), and 20 short answer questions (3 marks each, 60 marks), for 180 marks total. Delivered twice a year via an online proctored platform, on a separate day from the AIT paper.
Time limit: 3 hours, with 5 minutes reading time.
Exam fee: AUD 2,550 (NZD 3,155) for the Anatomy paper only in calendar year 2026; AUD 4,565 (NZD 5,825) for a full Phase 1 sitting (Anatomy + AIT). Fees are reviewed annually by RANZCR.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

RANZCR Anatomy Study Tips from Top Performers

1Weight your revision toward Abdomen and Pelvis and Brain, which together make up nearly half of the Anatomy curriculum's approximate weighting (25% and 20%) - hepatobiliary segmental anatomy and intracranial vascular anatomy recur heavily in examiner reports.

2Practise labelling real cross-sectional images (CT and MRI) in axial, sagittal, and coronal planes, not just textbook diagrams - the real exam's labelling section marks precise anatomical terminology, so vague answers like "cochlea" lose marks where "basal turn of the cochlea" would not.

3Drill vessel and nerve relations (e.g. Circle of Willis, brachial plexus cords, portal triad) as named structures with their immediate neighbours - RANZCR examiner reports consistently flag confusion between anatomically adjacent structures as a common source of lost marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RANZCR Anatomy exam?

The Anatomy exam is one of the two RANZCR Clinical Radiology Phase 1 written papers (alongside Applied Imaging Technology). It is a 3-hour paper testing cross-sectional and gross radiological anatomy across six body regions, through 60 multiple choice questions, 20 labelling questions with six labels each, 30 very short answer questions, and 20 short answer questions.

What is the pass mark for the RANZCR Anatomy exam?

RANZCR does not publish a fixed numerical pass mark. The standard is set individually for each sitting; candidates must meet the overall passing standard and the minimum standards in all six Anatomy topic areas.

How often is the RANZCR Anatomy exam held?

The Anatomy paper is offered twice a year, typically in April and October, on a separate day from the AIT paper, and is delivered via an online proctored examination platform across Australia and New Zealand.

What topics does the Anatomy exam cover?

The Anatomy curriculum covers six body regions with approximate weightings: Brain (20%), Head and Neck (15%), Spine (10%), Thorax (15%), Abdomen and Pelvis (25%), and Limbs (15%). RANZCR notes these percentages are approximate and may vary slightly between sittings.

How much does the RANZCR Anatomy exam cost?

In calendar year 2026, RANZCR charges AUD 2,550 (NZD 3,155) to sit the Anatomy paper alone, or AUD 4,565 (NZD 5,825) for a full Phase 1 sitting covering both the Anatomy and AIT papers. Check the RANZCR Fees page for the current year's rates.