The longitudinal reaction is positive is associated with which reaction?

• A. Accompanies partial reaction of degeneration
• B. Accompanies full reaction of degeneration
• C. Accompanies absolute reaction of degeneration
• D. Reaction of degeneration is not involved

Answer: (B)

The concept tested is how the pattern of a degenerative response along the length of the tissue indicates how extensive the degeneration is. When the longitudinal reaction is positive, it means the degenerative changes are present throughout the length being considered, which aligns with a full reaction of degeneration. In other words, the process has spread along the entire extent rather than stopping at just a small portion. If the reaction were partial, it would appear only in limited segments; if it were described as absolute, that would imply a different sense of maximum intensity not implied by a longitudinal marker alone. The idea that degeneration is not involved contradicts the very presence of a positive longitudinal reaction, so the positive longitudinal sign best fits the full degenerative reaction.