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 #1 : Identifying Bones Of The Upper Extremities

What is the name of the bone in the forearm medial to the body?

Possible Answers:

Clavicle

Humerus

Ulna

Radius

Correct answer:

Ulna

Explanation:

The forearm has two bones: the radius and the ulna. In order to determine which forearm bone is medial to the body, we need to remember standard anatomical position. In this position, the palms face outward, meaning the pinky is the closest finger to the body. The ulna is on the side of the pinky, while the radius is on the side of the thumb. As a result, the ulna is the forearm bone medial to the body.

The humerus is located proximal to the radius and ulna and forms the shoulder joint with the scapula. The clavicle is superior to the humerus and articulates with the scapula above the shoulder.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Bones Of The Upper Extremities

Which of the following is a common place for fracture of the humerus?

 

Possible Answers:

Spiral groove

Surgical neck

Anatomic neck

Head

Correct answer:

Surgical neck

Explanation:

The humerus articulates with the scapula, making the glenohumeral joint at the head, and the radius and ulna, making the elbow joint at the trochlea. The anatomic neck is the area immediately below the head that functions as attachment for the joint capsule of the glenohumeral joint. The spiral groove houses the radial nerve and serves as an attachment site for the lateral and medial head of the biceps brachii.

The surgical neck is located between the anatomical neck and shaft of the humerus, marking a narrower region of the bone. The surgical neck is the most common site of fracture on the humerus. The axillary nerve and the posterior humeral circumflex artery also course through this region and can be damaged in the case of injury.

 

Example Question #2 : Identifying Bones Of The Upper Extremities

There are __________ carpal bones in the wrist and hand.

Possible Answers:

five

nine

ten

eight

Correct answer:

eight

Explanation:

The carpal bones are found arranged in two layers of four in the hand. The first row, lateral to medial, is made of the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform. The distal row, from lateral to medial, is made of the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate. A fracture of the scaphoid during a fall on an outstretched hand can damage the radial artery. A fracture of the hamate can cause damage to the ulnar nerve and artery.

The carpal bones articulate with the radius bone in the forearm to create the wrist; the ulna has no contact with the carpal bones in the hand.  

Example Question #4 : Identifying Bones Of The Upper Extremities

The coronoid process is a structure on which bone? 

Possible Answers:

First rib 

Clavicle

Scapula 

Ulna

Correct answer:

Ulna

Explanation:

The coronoid process is a structure on the proximal ulna, not to be confused with the coracoid on the scapula or the conoid on the clavicle. The coronoid process forms part of the trochlear notch on the ulna.

Example Question #5 : Identifying Bones Of The Upper Extremities

Which bone contains the olecranon fossa?

Possible Answers:

Tibia

Ulna

Radius

Humerus

Fibula

Correct answer:

Humerus

Explanation:

When the ulna is extended, the olecranon, which is an extension of the ulna, fits into the olecranon fossa of the humerus. 

Example Question #6 : Identifying Bones Of The Upper Extremities

Which muscle is responsible for initiating abduction of the arm?

Possible Answers:

Teres minor

Infraspinatus

Supraspinatus

Deltoid

Subscapularis

Correct answer:

Supraspinatus

Explanation:

The supraspinatus is responsible for initiating abduction of the arm for the first 15 degrees, while the deltoid continues the abduction. 

Example Question #7 : Identifying Bones Of The Upper Extremities

Which of the following is not a rotator cuff muscle?

Possible Answers:

Supraspinatus

Subscapularis

Teres major

Infraspinatus

Teres minor

Correct answer:

Teres major

Explanation:

There are only four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff. All of the answer choices except the teres major are rotator cuff muscles.

Example Question #291 : Gross Anatomy

The scaphoid is located proximal to which bone?

Possible Answers:

Ulna

Lunate

Trapezium

Pisiform

Triquetrum

Correct answer:

Trapezium

Explanation:

The wrist contains 8 carpal bones. The scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform make up the proximal row, while the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate make up the distal row. A mnemonic to help you remember these eight bones is: Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle. In the anatomical position, from lateroproximal to mediodistal: Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate.

Example Question #11 : Identifying Bones Of The Upper Extremities

Which of the following is a feature of the ulna?

Possible Answers:

Deltoid tuberosity

Coracoid process

Olecranon

Trochlea

Correct answer:

Olecranon

Explanation:

The olecranon is a feature of the ulna. It is commonly known as the elbow. The coracoid process can be found on the scapula and both the deltoid tuberosity and trochlea can be found on the humerus.

Example Question #11 : Identifying Bones Of The Upper Extremities

Which bone houses the coracoid process?

Possible Answers:

Temporal bone

Scapula

Humerus

Clavicle

Sternum

Correct answer:

Scapula

Explanation:

The coracoid process is a projection on the scapula that serves as an attachment site for ligaments which help to stabilize the shoulder. It is located proximally to the articulation of the humerus and scapula. The head of the humerus is smooth and round to fit into the glenoid cavity of the scapula. It has no sites for attachment. The humerus is the long bone of the upper arm. It is the head of the humerus that interacts with the ligaments attaching to the coracoid process. The clavicle, also known as the collar bone, articulates with another projection from the scapula called the acromion. It is posterior to the coracoid process.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors