How anatomy is examined
RANZCR describes two Phase 1 written examinations, each one three-hour paper delivered on an online proctored platform. The Anatomy paper combines labelling, very short answer, multiple choice and short answer questions, weighted roughly brain 20%, head and neck 15%, spine 10%, thorax 15%, abdomen and pelvis 25% and limbs 15%. The Applied Imaging Technology paper has 9 constructed response questions and 60 MCQs on physics, technology, radiation protection and patient safety. Both must be passed to progress to Phase 2.
High-yield structures by region
| Region (approx. weight) | High-yield structures |
|---|---|
| Brain (20%) | Basal ganglia, internal capsule, ventricles, cranial nerve nuclei, circle of Willis, venous sinuses |
| Head and neck (15%) | Skull base foramina, orbit, paranasal sinuses, temporal bone, deep neck spaces, larynx |
| Spine (10%) | Vertebral anatomy, ligaments, cord, conus, nerve roots, vascular supply |
| Thorax (15%) | Bronchopulmonary segments, mediastinal compartments, cardiac chambers, coronary arteries |
| Abdomen and pelvis (25%) | Liver segments (Couinaud), peritoneal spaces, retroperitoneum, vascular variants, pelvic floor |
| Limbs (15%) | Joint anatomy on MRI, ligaments and tendons, compartments, ossification centres |
Labelling technique
- Name the exact structure, side and level (for example "left vertebral artery, V3 segment").
- Use accepted terminology and avoid abbreviations unless standard.
- Practise on every modality: radiographs, CT, MRI and ultrasound.
- Know normal variants that mimic pathology.
Worked questions
Worked question 1 · Liver
Which Couinaud segment lies between the middle and right hepatic veins, above the portal vein bifurcation?
- A Segment VIII
- B Segment IVa (left)
- C Segment VII
- D Segment II
- E Segment V
Show the reasoning
Answer A. The middle hepatic vein separates the left and right lobes; the right hepatic vein divides anterior (V, VIII) from posterior (VI, VII) segments. Above the portal plane, the anterior segment is VIII.
Worked question 2 · Skull base
Which structure passes through the foramen ovale?
- A Mandibular nerve
- B Maxillary nerve
- C Middle meningeal artery
- D Facial nerve
- E Internal carotid artery
Show the reasoning
Answer A. The foramen ovale transmits V3 (mandibular nerve), the accessory meningeal artery and emissary veins. V2 passes through foramen rotundum and the middle meningeal artery through foramen spinosum.
A 4-week revision block
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brain and spine |
| 2 | Head and neck |
| 3 | Thorax and limbs |
| 4 | Abdomen and pelvis, then timed mixed papers |
Pair reading with daily timed questions and image review on teaching files, and log every missed structure or sign.
Common traps
- Labelling without side or level.
- Learning from diagrams only.
- Ignoring ultrasound anatomy.
- Under-revising abdomen and pelvis, the largest weighting.
Free sample anatomy questions
Questions from our Radiology Phase 1 bank. Choose your answer, then open the explanation.
On a lateral chest X-ray, which fissure separates the right upper and middle lobes?
- ASuperior accessory fissure of the lower lobe
- BHorizontal fissure
- CAzygos fissure in every patient
- DInferior accessory fissure
- EOblique fissure in the left lung
Show answer and explanation
Answer B. The horizontal (minor) fissure separates the right upper and middle lobes; the oblique fissures separate the lower lobes. The azygos fissure is a normal variant.
Learning point: Right lung: horizontal fissure separates upper and middle lobes.
The left renal vein normally passes between which two vessels?
- AAorta and SMA
- BAorta and vertebral body
- CSplenic vein and splenic artery
- DCoeliac trunk and SMA
- EIVC and right renal artery
Show answer and explanation
Answer A. The left renal vein crosses anterior to the aorta below the SMA origin; compression here is nutcracker syndrome. A retroaortic vein is a variant.
Learning point: Left renal vein between aorta and SMA (nutcracker).
Which structure forms the lateral wall of the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle?
- AGlobus pallidus
- BCaudate head
- CClaustrum
- DPutamen
- EThalamus
Show answer and explanation
Answer B. The caudate head indents the frontal horn; atrophy in Huntington disease enlarges the horns.
Learning point: Caudate head forms frontal horn lateral wall.
Practise more anatomy questions free
Every anatomy subtopic in our bank
The bank holds 50 anatomy questions across 50 subtopics. You can filter by any of them, build a custom block and track your accuracy subtopic by subtopic.
- Adrenal glands1
- Ankle1
- Aortopulmonary window1
- Azygos vein1
- Basal ganglia1
- Brachial plexus1
- Bronchial anatomy1
- Carpal tunnel1
- Cavernous sinus1
- Cerebral venous sinuses1
- Circle of Willis1
- Coronary anatomy1
- Couinaud segment 11
- Diaphragm openings1
- Facial nerve1
- Female pelvis1
- Foramina1
- Gallbladder1
- Hip blood supply1
- Inguinal canal1
- Internal capsule1
- Kidney position1
- Knee ligaments1
- Larynx1
- Left heart border1
- Left renal vein1
- Liver segments1
- Mediastinal compartments1
- Neck spaces1
- Neonatal anatomy1
- Neonatal UAC1
- Orbit1
- Pancreas1
- Pituitary1
- Portosystemic anastomoses1
- Prostate zones1
- Pulmonary arteries1
- Rectal blood supply1
- Retroperitoneum1
- Right lung lobes1
- Scaphoid1
- Shoulder rotator cuff1
- Silhouette sign1
- Spinal cord1
- Spleen1
- Temporal bone1
- Testis drainage1
- Thoracic duct1
- Vertebral artery1
- Watershed areas1
Common questions
How long is the Phase 1 anatomy exam?
RANZCR describes one three-hour paper.
What question types are used?
Labelling, very short answer, multiple choice and short answer questions.
Is the exam online?
RANZCR delivers Phase 1 exams on an online proctored platform.
How many anatomy questions are in the Radiology Phase 1 bank?
There are 50 anatomy questions across 50 subtopics, and the bank grows as new questions pass review.
Can I practise only anatomy questions?
Yes. Filter by area or by any subtopic to build a custom block, in tutor mode with explanations after each question or in timed mode.
How are anatomy questions explained?
Every question explains why the answer is right and why each other option is wrong, with a learning point and the Australian source behind it.
How much of the Radiology Phase 1 mock is anatomy?
About 50 questions in each 100-question mock come from anatomy, following our mock blueprint.
Which sources is this anatomy page based on?
It summarises current Australian guidance, including RANZCR Clinical Radiology Phase 1 examinations; Radiopaedia. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.
When was this anatomy guide last updated?
It was last reviewed on 9 November 2026. We update topic pages when the exam or Australian guidance changes.
How do I unlock all Radiology Phase 1 questions?
Choose a Radiology Phase 1 plan: 3 or 6 months of access, from A$569.99, one payment with no auto-renew. It opens every area, not just anatomy.
Sources
Clinical content is summarised from current Australian guidance at the date above. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.