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100+ Free RANZCR Rad Onc Anatomy Practice Questions

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

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RANZCR's Phase 1 Examination Report for 2025 Series 2 recorded an Anatomy pass rate (including conceded passes) of 70.0% (7 pass/conceded pass of 10 candidates); Series 1 2025 recorded 82.6% (19 of 23). Rates vary by sitting. Pass Rate
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Sample RANZCR Rad Onc Anatomy Practice Questions

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

1A patient with glioblastoma undergoes post-operative RT. The hippocampi are commonly spared during whole-brain RT. Where are the hippocampi located on axial MRI?
A.Medial temporal lobes, adjacent to the temporal horns of the lateral ventricles
B.Anterior frontal lobes above the cribriform plate
C.Posterior occipital lobes surrounding the calcarine sulcus
D.Superior parietal lobes beneath the sagittal sinus
Explanation: The hippocampi lie in the medial temporal lobes, flanking the temporal horns of the lateral ventricles — the target for hippocampal-avoidance WBRT protocols.
2Which cranial nerve shares the internal auditory canal with the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) and is therefore at risk in vestibular schwannoma treatment?
A.Facial nerve (CN VII)
B.Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
C.Abducens nerve (CN VI)
D.Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
Explanation: The facial nerve (CN VII) traverses the internal auditory canal with CN VIII. This relationship is relevant when treating vestibular schwannoma near the cochlea and facial nerve.
3On sagittal MRI, the pituitary gland sits in which bony structure?
A.Sella turcica of the sphenoid bone
B.Foramen magnum of the occipital bone
C.Jugular foramen of the temporal bone
D.Superior orbital fissure
Explanation: The pituitary gland occupies the sella turcica; pituitary adenomas and post-surgical RT planning rely on this landmark.
4The optic chiasm lies immediately superior to which structure, making it vulnerable during pituitary/sellar RT?
A.Pituitary stalk and gland in the sella
B.Foramen of Monro
C.Cerebellar tonsils
D.Corpus callosum genu
Explanation: The optic chiasm arches over the pituitary stalk/sella; suprasellar extension of pituitary tumours or RT fields can cause bitemporal hemianopia.
5Which paired dural venous sinuses extend laterally from the confluence of sinuses and are relevant to posterior fossa anatomy?
A.Transverse (lateral) sinuses
B.Cavernous sinuses
C.Sphenoparietal sinus
D.Inferior petrosal sinuses only
Explanation: The transverse sinuses extend laterally from the confluence of sinuses (torcular Herophili) and continue as the sigmoid sinuses.
6The cerebral aqueduct is an important midline landmark on brain MRI. Which ventricles does it connect?
A.Third ventricle and fourth ventricle
B.Lateral ventricles and third ventricle
C.Fourth ventricle and central canal only
D.Lateral ventricles and fourth ventricle
Explanation: The cerebral aqueduct passes through the midbrain and connects the third ventricle to the fourth ventricle.
7The internal capsule anterior limb lies between which structures on axial MRI?
A.Head of caudate nucleus and lentiform nucleus
B.Thalamus and globus pallidus
C.Putamen and claustrum
D.Amygdala and hippocampus
Explanation: The anterior limb separates caudate head (medial) from lentiform nucleus (lateral); important for stroke vs tumour field overlap in RT planning.
8Which statement most accurately describes the arterial supply of the hippocampus?
A.It is supplied variably by branches of the posterior cerebral and anterior choroidal arteries
B.It is supplied only by the anterior cerebral artery
C.It is supplied only by the middle meningeal artery
D.It has no arterial supply because it is supplied solely by CSF
Explanation: Hippocampal supply is variable and commonly includes hippocampal branches of the posterior cerebral artery and contributions from the anterior choroidal artery.
9The tentorium cerebelli separates which compartments?
A.Supratentorial and infratentorial cranial fossae
B.Anterior and middle cranial fossae
C.Cavernous sinus and sphenoid sinus
D.Epidural and subdural spaces
Explanation: The tentorium divides supratentorial (cerebral hemispheres) from infratentorial (cerebellum/brainstem) compartments — key for posterior fossa tumour localisation.
10A patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma may develop skull base invasion. Through which foramen does the maxillary division of CN V exit?
A.Foramen rotundum
B.Foramen ovale
C.Foramen spinosum
D.Foramen lacerum
Explanation: CN V2 exits via foramen rotundum into the pterygopalatine fossa — a common route of perineural spread from NPC.

About the RANZCR Rad Onc Anatomy Exam

The RANZCR Radiation Oncology Phase 1 Anatomy examination is one of three Phase 1 written papers (with Radiation Oncology Physics and Radiation and Cancer Biology) that radiation oncology trainees in Australia and New Zealand must pass before progressing to Phase 2 training. The 2-hour paper tests oncological anatomy — cross-sectional and gross anatomy applied to cancer management, contouring, lymphatic drainage, and organ-at-risk relations — through 60 diagram labels, 30 multiple choice questions, and 6 short answer questions. Content is derived from the Radiation Oncology Learning Outcomes and is offered twice yearly in electronic format.

Assessment

One 2-hour written paper (plus 5 minutes reading time): diagram labelling (60 labels, 0.5 marks each, 30 marks), 30 MCQs (1 mark each, 30 marks), and 6 SAQs (10 marks each, 60 marks), for 120 marks total. Delivered twice a year alongside separate Phase 1 papers in Radiation Oncology Physics and Radiation and Cancer Biology. All three Phase 1 subjects must be passed to progress to Phase 2.

Time Limit

2 hours, with 5 minutes reading time.

Passing Score

Standard-set per sitting; RANZCR publishes minimum cut scores and passing standards in examination reports. The 2025 Series 2 report recorded an Anatomy minimum cut score of 61.9% and passing standard of 67.2%.

Exam Fee

Confirm current Phase 1 examination fees on the RANZCR membership fees page; fees are reviewed annually and charged per subject paper. (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR))

RANZCR Rad Onc Anatomy Exam Content Outline

RANZCR does not publish a fixed weighting for this body region

CNS and Skull Base

Brain, brainstem, ventricular system, cranial nerves, skull-base foramina, cavernous sinus, and intracranial vascular anatomy for CNS RT.

RANZCR does not publish a fixed weighting for this body region

Head and Neck

Pharyngeal subsites, salivary glands, thyroid, neck spaces, cervical lymph node levels, and perineural spread for H&N RT.

RANZCR does not publish a fixed weighting for this body region

Spine

Vertebral column, spinal cord, conus/cauda equina, epidural space, and dermatome correlation for spinal metastases.

RANZCR does not publish a fixed weighting for this body region

Thorax

Mediastinum, lung/bronchial tree, breast lymphatics, cardiac relations, and thoracic duct for thoracic RT.

RANZCR does not publish a fixed weighting for this body region

Abdomen and Pelvis

Hepatobiliary, pancreas, GI tract, peritoneum, pelvic viscera, and pelvic lymphatics for GI/GU/gynaecological RT.

RANZCR does not publish a fixed weighting for this body region

Limbs and Peripheral Nerves

Brachial/lumbosacral plexus, sciatic and femoral nerves, and limb anatomy for apical lung and extremity RT.

How to Pass the RANZCR Rad Onc Anatomy Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Standard-set per sitting; RANZCR publishes minimum cut scores and passing standards in examination reports. The 2025 Series 2 report recorded an Anatomy minimum cut score of 61.9% and passing standard of 67.2%.
  • Assessment: One 2-hour written paper (plus 5 minutes reading time): diagram labelling (60 labels, 0.5 marks each, 30 marks), 30 MCQs (1 mark each, 30 marks), and 6 SAQs (10 marks each, 60 marks), for 120 marks total. Delivered twice a year alongside separate Phase 1 papers in Radiation Oncology Physics and Radiation and Cancer Biology. All three Phase 1 subjects must be passed to progress to Phase 2.
  • Time limit: 2 hours, with 5 minutes reading time.
  • Exam fee: Confirm current Phase 1 examination fees on the RANZCR membership fees page; fees are reviewed annually and charged per subject paper.

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 Rad Onc Anatomy Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study anatomy from an oncological perspective: for each structure know its relations (anterior/posterior/medial/lateral neighbours), lymphatic drainage, and why it matters as an OAR or target — RANZCR SAQs reward applied anatomy, not isolated labels.
2Practise diagram labelling on axial CT slices through the head and neck, thorax, and abdomen/pelvis; the real exam awards 0.5 marks per label and expects precise anatomical terminology with laterality where applicable.
3Prioritise abdomen/pelvis and head/neck — hepatobiliary segmental anatomy, duodenal relations, rectal lymphatic drainage (above vs below dentate line), and cervical neck node levels recur in examiner reports and sample questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RANZCR Radiation Oncology Anatomy exam?

The Anatomy exam is one of three RANZCR Radiation Oncology Phase 1 written papers (alongside Radiation Oncology Physics and Radiation and Cancer Biology). It is a 2-hour paper testing oncological anatomy through 60 diagram labels, 30 multiple choice questions, and 6 short answer questions, totalling 120 marks.

How does Radiation Oncology Phase 1 Anatomy differ from Clinical Radiology Phase 1 Anatomy?

Clinical Radiology Phase 1 Anatomy is a 3-hour paper with 60 MCQs, 120 image labels, 30 very short answers, and 20 short answers (180 marks). Radiation Oncology Phase 1 Anatomy is a shorter 2-hour paper (120 marks) with fewer MCQs (30 vs 60) but longer SAQs (6 × 10 marks), and emphasises anatomy applied to cancer management rather than broad cross-sectional radiology identification alone.

What is the pass mark for the RANZCR Radiation Oncology Anatomy exam?

RANZCR does not publish a fixed numerical pass mark. The standard is set individually for each sitting using formal standard-setting procedures. The 2025 Series 2 report recorded a minimum cut score of 61.9% and passing standard of 67.2% for Anatomy.

How often is the RANZCR Radiation Oncology Phase 1 Anatomy exam held?

Phase 1 examinations are delivered electronically twice a year. Each Anatomy paper is 2 hours plus 5 minutes reading time, sat on a scheduled day alongside the other Phase 1 subjects across Australia, New Zealand, and approved international venues.

What topics does the Radiation Oncology Anatomy exam cover?

Content is derived from the Radiation Oncology Learning Outcomes and tests oncological anatomy across CNS/skull base, head and neck, spine, thorax, abdomen and pelvis, and limbs — including lymphatic drainage, vascular relations, organ-at-risk boundaries, and anatomy applied to contouring and treatment planning.