NANP Board Practice Exam

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Prepare for the NANP Board Exam with our comprehensive quiz. Utilize flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and detailed explanations to enhance your studying experience and ensure you are fully equipped to succeed.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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In which tissue of the body is mercury commonly found?

Bones
Liver
Muscles
Nerves

The correct answer is: Bones

Mercury is predominantly found in the liver, which is a key organ for detoxification and metabolizing various substances, including heavy metals. When mercury enters the body, it is often stored in the liver due to its role in processing toxins and metals. This storage can lead to adverse health effects since the liver is vital for metabolic functions. Although other tissues such as the brain (nerves) and muscles can also accumulate mercury, the liver is recognized as the primary site for mercury accumulation. Muscles and nervous tissue can have lesser concentrations, but they do not serve as the main storage sites for mercury compared to the liver. Consequently, the understanding of mercury's accumulation in these various tissues is crucial for health assessments and interventions in cases of mercury exposure.