Human Anatomy and Physiology : Bones

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Human Anatomy and Physiology

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #22 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

What are the nasal conchae?

Possible Answers:

Structure the divides the nasal cavity into two halves

Small irregular cavities found between the eyes

Paired cavities located on either side of the nose

Curved shelves of bone found within the nasal cavity

Correct answer:

Curved shelves of bone found within the nasal cavity

Explanation:

The nasal conchae are curved shelves of bone found within the nasal cavity; they filter, humidify, and heat inhaled air. The maxillary sinuses are paired cavities found on either side of the nose. The ethmoid sinuses are small irregular cavities found between the eyes. The nasal septum is the structure that divides the nasal cavity into two halves. 

Example Question #23 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

What is the bony partition that separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity?

Possible Answers:

Mandible

Hard palate

Soft palate

Teeth

Correct answer:

Hard palate

Explanation:

The hard palate is the bony palate that separates the two cavities; it is made of the palatine bone and the maxilla. The soft palate helps prevent food and drink from entering the nasal cavity. Teeth allow for the tearing and grinding of food into smaller pieces for easier digestion. The mandible is the lower jaw bone.

Example Question #359 : Gross Anatomy

The sella turcica is part of which bone?

Possible Answers:

Frontal bone

Ethmoid bone

Parietal bone

Lacrimal bone

Sphenoid bone

Correct answer:

Sphenoid bone

Explanation:

The sella turcica is part of the sphenoid bone, and houses the pituitary gland.

Example Question #24 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

A spot on an infant's skull is called __________.

Possible Answers:

a fontanelle

temporal bones

sesamoid bones

the foramen magnum

the capitate

Correct answer:

a fontanelle

Explanation:

A fontanelle (or fontanel) is a normal feature of the infant skull. It comprises of soft membranous gaps (sutures) between the cranial bones that make up the infant's skull. These gaps allow for rapid stretching and growth as the developing brain grows faster than the surrounding bone can. There are 4 fontanels: the posterior, anterior, sphenoidal, mastoid. They close at different rates, however they are all closed by approximately 18-20 months of age. 

Example Question #25 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

The bone at the back of the skull is called the __________.

Possible Answers:

temporal bone

capitate

sesamoid bone

occipital bone

parietal bone

Correct answer:

occipital bone

Explanation:

The human skull consists of the following bones: frontal, occipital, sphenoid, ethmoid, and paired parietal and temporal bones. The parietal and temporal bones are paired, while the others are not. The frontal bone is in the front of the skull, the occipital is in the back, the parietal and temporal bones are on the left and right sides with the parietal bones superior to the temporal bones.  

Example Question #26 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

Which of these is not a hole in the skull?

Possible Answers:

Foramen magnum

None of these

Greater sciatic foramen

Foramen spinosum

Jugular foramen

Correct answer:

Greater sciatic foramen

Explanation:

All of these are "holes" or foramina (plural of foramen) of the skull except the greater sciatic foramen which is located in the pelvis. Foramina allow for the passage of veins, nerves, and even muscles through bones. However, the hip is one of the few areas a muscle passes through a bone. The greater sciatic foramen allows for the passage of the piriformis muscle which takes up most of foramen. There are also several nerves such as the sciatic nerve and veins such as the gluteal vein.

Example Question #27 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

Which of the following bones is responsible for forming the back (and some parts of the base) of the skull?

Possible Answers:

Frontal bone

Temporal bone

Parietal bone

Occipital bone

None of these

Correct answer:

Occipital bone

Explanation:

The occipital bone is the bone responsible for forming the back of the skull and parts of the base of the skull. The other bones listed form other parts of the skull.

Example Question #31 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

What is the name of the region in the skull where the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones meet?

Possible Answers:

Inion

Bregma

Pterion

Fabella

Glabella

Correct answer:

Pterion

Explanation:

The pterion is the region where these four bones meet. The glabella refers to the part of the frontal bone between the superciliary arches. The bregma is where the coronal and sagittal sutures intersect. The fabella is a sesamoid bone found in the tendon of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius, whose presence is variable. The inion is the most prominent part of the external occipital protuberance

Example Question #32 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

The spinal cord leaves the skull base at what opening?

Possible Answers:

Capitate

Obturator foramen

Sesamoid opening

Fontanelle 

Foramen magnum

Correct answer:

Foramen magnum

Explanation:

The foramen magnum is a large opening in the occipital bone of the human skull. It is one of several foramina (oval or circular openings) in the skull. The spinal cord, an extension of the medulla, passes through the foramen magnum as it exits the cranial vault. Additionally, vertebral arteries, the anterior and posterior spinal arteries, the spinal component of the accessory nerve, and the alar ligaments also pass through the foramen magnum. Fontanelles are soft spots between the skull bones, which will harden as the infant ages. The capitate is the largest of the eight carpal bones of the wrist. A sesamoid bone is one that is embedded within a tendon or muscle. The obturator foramen is the large hole in the pelvis through which nerves, arteries, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels pass.

Example Question #33 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

Which of the following forms the lower jaw and holds the lower teeth in place?

Possible Answers:

Zygomatic bone

Mandible

Sphenoid bone

Maxilla

Manubrium

Correct answer:

Mandible

Explanation:

The mandible is the lowest bone in the face in humans, forming the lower jaw and holding the lower teeth in place. It is commonly known as the jawbone. The manubrium is the superiormost bone in the sternum. The maxilla holds the upper teeth in place.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors