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Cori Cycle Lactate Glucose — FRCA Primary MCQ

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HardPhysiology - Gastrointestinal & HepaticCori Cycle Lactate GlucoseFRCA Primary

What is the principal metabolic exchange described by the Cori cycle during anaerobic exercise?

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Correct answer: C — Muscle lactate is converted to hepatic glucose, which returns to muscle

The best answer is “Muscle lactate is converted to hepatic glucose, which returns to muscle”. During anaerobic glycolysis, skeletal muscle releases lactate into the circulation. The liver takes up lactate and uses gluconeogenesis to generate glucose, which may return to muscle. This shifts metabolic work to the liver; it is unrelated to iron recycling, the urea cycle, citrate shuttling or enterohepatic bile-salt circulation.

Reference: Royal College of Anaesthetists, Primary FRCA Syllabus 2021: https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2026-01/Primary-FRCA-Syllabus.pdf