MRI ARRT Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (1–10)

Question 1

Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for processing visual information?

TheoryPractice · Accepted 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.

Question 2

On a sagittal MRI brain image, the central sulcus separates which two lobes?

TheoryPractice · Accepted 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.

Question 3

CSF produced in the lateral ventricles flows into the third ventricle through which structure?

TheoryPractice · Accepted 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.

Question 4

On axial MRI, the cerebral aqueduct (of Sylvius) connects which two structures?

TheoryPractice · Accepted 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.

Question 5

Which choroid plexus produces the greatest volume of CSF in the adult brain?

TheoryPractice · Accepted 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.

Question 6

On a coronal MRI, the caudate nucleus and putamen are separated by which structure?

TheoryPractice · Accepted 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.

Question 7

On T2-weighted MRI the globus pallidus typically appears hypointense compared to the putamen. This is primarily due to:

TheoryPractice · Accepted 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.

Question 8

The lentiform nucleus is composed of which two structures?

TheoryPractice · Accepted 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).

Question 9

From superior to inferior, what is the correct order of brainstem divisions?

TheoryPractice · Accepted 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.

Question 10

Which cranial nerve exits the dorsal surface of the brainstem?

TheoryPractice · Accepted 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.

MRI ARRT Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (1–10)

More MRI ARRT practice questions

Free practice here. Timed mocks when you are ready.