Question:

Which of the following exocrine glandular ducts are not obstructed in cystic fibrosis:

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Serous sweat glands give salty sweat but the duct stays open.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Pancreas
  • Lung
  • Sweat gland
  • All of above
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand the defect. In cystic fibrosis (CF) the ducts of mucus-secreting glands are blocked because the secretions become abnormally viscid, leading to glandular dilatation and destruction. Step 2: This explains the disease in mucus organs - airway obstruction causes bronchiectasis and atelectasis, pancreatic duct obstruction causes pancreatitis and malabsorption, and bile duct plugging causes obstructive jaundice. Step 3: The sweat glands behave differently. As serous glands, they do not plug with thick mucus; instead they show abnormal concentrations of inorganic ions in the sweat. The sweat duct stays patent. Step 4: This patency is why the quantitative pilocarpine iontophoresis sweat test is the standard diagnostic test for CF - the duct must be open. Hence sweat gland ducts are NOT obstructed; lung and pancreas are, so options a, b and d are wrong.
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