Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

Where is iron located in hemosiderosis?

1. Bone marrow

2. Liver parenchyma

3. Kupffer cells

4. Red blood cells

The correct answer is: Kupffer cells

In hemosiderosis, iron is primarily stored in the liver parenchyma, which is the correct context for understanding the accumulation of iron in this condition. Hemosiderosis occurs when there is excessive iron deposition in various organs due to increased absorption or breakdown of red blood cells. The liver is one of the main organs involved in iron deposition. Hemosiderin, an insoluble form of iron, accumulates within hepatocytes, which are the main functional cells of the liver. In cases of hemosiderosis, this accumulation can lead to liver damage and other complications over time. While some iron can also be stored in Kupffer cells, which are specialized macrophages in the liver, the primary consideration in hemosiderosis is the accumulation within liver parenchyma itself. Therefore, the presence of excess iron in the liver is a key feature of this condition. Red blood cells are not a storage site for excess iron; instead, they are involved in the transport of hemoglobin and oxygen, and bone marrow primarily serves as the site of red blood cell production.