Explore Embryonic Eye Anatomy MCQ with 40 MCQs covering germ layer origins, retinal and lens development, iris and ciliary body formation, eyelid and orbital structures, developmental milestones, congenital anomalies, and key eye development genes like PAX6, SOX2, FOXC1, and PITX2. Perfect for ophthalmology, medical students, and competitive exam preparation. visit Ophthalmology and Optometry Mcq index page to explore topic wise ophthalmology mcq.
Embryonic Germ Layer Origins
1. Lens develops from:
A. Neuroectoderm
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Mesoderm
D. Neural crest
View Answer
B. Surface ectoderm ✅ Exp: Lens placode is surface ectodermal.
2. Retina develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Mesoderm
D. Neural crest
View Answer
B. Neuroectoderm ✅ Exp: Retina arises from optic cup (neuroectoderm).
3. Retinal pigment epithelium develops from:
A. Outer layer of optic cup
B. Inner layer of optic cup
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Neural crest
View Answer
A. Outer layer of optic cup ✅ Exp: Outer thin wall of optic cup forms RPE.
4. Corneal epithelium origin:
A. Surface ectoderm
B. Mesoderm
C. Neural crest
D. Neuroectoderm
View Answer
A. Surface ectoderm ✅ Exp: Epithelium is ectodermal.
5. Corneal endothelium and stroma derive from:
A. Neural crest cells
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Mesoderm only
D. Neuroectoderm
View Answer
A. Neural crest cells ✅ Exp: Neural crest → corneal stroma + endothelium.
Uveal Tract & Iris
6. Iris epithelium originates from:
A. Neuroectoderm
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Surface ectoderm
View Answer
A. Neuroectoderm ✅ Exp: Both pigmented & non-pigmented layers from optic cup.
7. Iris stroma develops from:
A. Neural crest cells
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Mesoderm only
D. Surface ectoderm
View Answer
A. Neural crest cells ✅ Exp: Stroma & melanocytes → neural crest.
8. Iris muscles (sphincter & dilator pupillae) develop from:
A. Neuroectoderm
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Surface ectoderm
View Answer
A. Neuroectoderm ✅ Exp: Rare case of smooth muscle from neuroectoderm.
9. Ciliary body epithelium develops from:
A. Neuroectoderm
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Endoderm
View Answer
A. Neuroectoderm ✅ Exp: Ciliary epithelium from optic cup.
10. Ciliary body stroma & muscle develop from:
A. Neural crest
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Endoderm
View Answer
A. Neural crest ✅ Exp: Neural crest → stroma, smooth muscle.
Sclera, Choroid & Orbit
11. Sclera develops from:
A. Mesenchyme (neural crest + mesoderm)
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Endoderm
View Answer
A. Mesenchyme (neural crest + mesoderm) ✅ Exp: Mesenchyme around optic cup forms sclera.
12. Choroid develops from:
A. Mesenchyme surrounding optic cup
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Endoderm
View Answer
A. Mesenchyme surrounding optic cup ✅ Exp: Vascular mesenchymal layer → choroid.
13. Extraocular muscles originate from:
A. Pre-otic mesoderm
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neural crest
D. Neuroectoderm
View Answer
A. Pre-otic mesoderm ✅ Exp: Muscles from paraxial mesoderm.
14. Orbital bones develop from:
A. Neural crest + mesoderm
B. Neuroectoderm only
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Endoderm
View Answer
A. Neural crest + mesoderm ✅ Exp: Orbit bones mesenchymal in origin.
15. Tenon’s capsule develops from:
A. Mesenchyme
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Surface ectoderm
D. Endoderm
View Answer
A. Mesenchyme ✅ Exp: Fibrous tissue sheath from mesenchyme.
16. Eyelid epithelium develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm
B. Neuroectoderm
C. Mesoderm
D. Neural crest
View Answer
A. Surface ectoderm ✅ Exp: Eyelid covering from ectoderm.
17. Eyelid connective tissue develops from:
A. Neural crest
B. Surface ectoderm
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Endoderm
View Answer
A. Neural crest ✅ Exp: Stroma from neural crest mesenchyme.
18. Meibomian glands develop from:
A. Surface ectoderm (sebaceous)
B. Neural crest
C. Neuroectoderm
D. Mesoderm
View Answer
A. Surface ectoderm (sebaceous) ✅ Exp: Modified sebaceous glands of ectoderm.
19. Lacrimal gland develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Neuroectoderm
View Answer
A. Surface ectoderm ✅ Exp: Ectodermal invagination in superotemporal orbit.
20. Nasolacrimal duct develops from:
A. Surface ectoderm
B. Neural crest
C. Mesoderm
D. Endoderm
View Answer
A. Surface ectoderm ✅ Exp: Ectodermal cord between maxillary & lateral nasal processes.
Developmental Milestones – Timeline
21. Eye development begins:
A. 3rd week of gestation
B. 5th week
C. 8th week
D. 12th week
View Answer
A. 3rd week of gestation ✅ Exp: Optic vesicle appears in week 3.
22. Lens placode appears:
A. 4th week
B. 6th week
C. 8th week
D. 10th week
View Answer
A. 4th week ✅ Exp: Surface ectoderm thickens by week 4.
23. Closure of embryonic fissure:
A. 5th–6th week
B. 8th week
C. Birth
D. 10th week
View Answer
A. 5th–6th week ✅ Exp: Fissure closes by 6th week.
24. Hyaloid artery regresses by:
A. Birth
B. 6 months
C. 3 months postnatal
D. 1 year
View Answer
A. Birth ✅ Exp: Normally disappears before birth.
25. Eyelid fusion occurs at:
A. 2nd month
B. 4th month
C. 6th month
D. Birth
View Answer
A. 2nd month ✅ Exp: Eyelids fuse at ~2 months.
Postnatal Development
26. Eyelid reopening occurs at:
A. 6th month of gestation
B. 4th month
C. Birth
D. 2nd month
View Answer
A. 6th month of gestation ✅ Exp: Reopen at ~6th month fetal life.
27. Pupillary light reflex appears by:
A. 30 weeks gestation
B. 20 weeks
C. Birth only
D. 6 months
View Answer
A. 30 weeks gestation ✅ Exp: Reflex appears in utero by 30 weeks.
28. Tears secretion starts at:
A. 3 months after birth
B. At birth
C. 6 months after birth
D. 1 year
View Answer
A. 3 months after birth ✅ Exp: Functional lacrimal gland at ~3 months postnatal.
29. Myelination of optic nerve completes by:
A. 1 year
B. Birth
C. 6 months
D. 4 years
View Answer
A. 1 year ✅ Exp: Myelination complete in infancy.
30. Foveal maturation completes by:
A. 4 years
B. 1 year
C. 6 months
D. Birth
View Answer
A. 4 years ✅ Exp: Fovea develops fully by ~4 years.
Congenital Anomalies – Developmental Failures
31. Coloboma results from:
A. Failure of embryonic fissure closure
B. Persistence of hyaloid artery
C. Arrested vesicle growth
D. Surface ectoderm defect
View Answer
A. Failure of embryonic fissure closure ✅ Exp: Inferior coloboma common.
32. Anophthalmos results from:
A. Failure of optic vesicle formation
B. Closure defect
C. Lens placode failure
D. Neural crest defect
View Answer
A. Failure of optic vesicle formation ✅ Exp: No vesicle → no eye.
33. Microphthalmos results from:
A. Arrested development of optic vesicle
B. Failure of eyelid separation
C. Persistent pupillary membrane
D. Trabecular dysgenesis
View Answer
A. Arrested development of optic vesicle ✅ Exp: Small malformed eye.
34. Persistent pupillary membrane is:
A. Remnant of anterior vascular sheath
B. Coloboma remnant
C. Iris stroma defect
D. Corneal opacity
View Answer
A. Remnant of anterior vascular sheath ✅ Exp: Vascular membrane may persist as fine strands.
35. Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) due to:
A. Persistence of hyaloid system
B. Closure defect
C. Coloboma
D. Aniridia
View Answer
A. Persistence of hyaloid system ✅ Exp: Failure of hyaloid regression.
Genetic Control of Eye Development
36. Master gene for eye development:
A. PAX6
B. FOXC1
C. SOX2
D. OTX2
View Answer
A. PAX6 ✅ Exp: PAX6 → “master control gene” for eye.
37. Mutation of PAX6 commonly causes:
A. Aniridia
B. Coloboma
C. PHPV
D. Microcornea
View Answer
A. Aniridia ✅ Exp: PAX6 mutation → aniridia.
38. SOX2 mutations cause:
A. Bilateral anophthalmia
B. Aniridia
C. PHPV
D. Foveal hypoplasia
View Answer
A. Bilateral anophthalmia ✅ Exp: SOX2 essential for optic vesicle development.
39. FOXC1 mutations linked to:
A. Axenfeld–Rieger anomaly
B. Anophthalmia
C. Coloboma
D. Microphthalmia
View Answer
A. Axenfeld–Rieger anomaly ✅ Exp: FOXC1 → anterior chamber dysgenesis.
40. PITX2 mutations cause:
A. Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome
B. Aniridia
C. Retinoblastoma
D. PHPV
View Answer
A. Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome ✅ Exp: PITX2 associated with anterior segment anomalies.
That’s a wrap for Batch 1 (Q1–40) of Embryonic Eye Anatomy MCQ. From the earliest germ layer origins to postnatal milestones and genetic controls, these questions are designed to strengthen your understanding of eye development and its clinical significance. Mastering embryology helps you connect theory with real-world ocular conditions, making learning both effective and rewarding.
Stay tuned for Batch 2 (Q41–80), where we’ll explore more advanced concepts, anomalies, and developmental insights. Keep learning, stay curious, and let your knowledge of the eye shine.
