Human Anatomy and Physiology : Muscles

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Muscles

Which of the following statements about the adductor magnus is false?

Possible Answers:

The gluteus maximus and the short head of the biceps femurs attach directly lateral to the adductor magnus onto the femur. 

The adductor magnus is the only member of the adductor group whose major sagittal plane actions are extension of the thigh and posterior tilt of the pelvis at the hip joint. 

The adductor magnus is innervated solely by the sciatic nerve. 

From the posterior perspective, the adductor magnus is deep to all three hamstring muscles. 

The adductor magnus has an anterior head and a posterior head. 

Correct answer:

The adductor magnus is innervated solely by the sciatic nerve. 

Explanation:

The adductor magnus is innervated by both the sciatic nerve and the obturator nerve. 

Example Question #34 : Identifying Muscles Of The Lower Extremities

What is the largest muscle in the body?

Possible Answers:

Biceps Brachii

Gluteus Maximus

Gastrocnemius

Latissimus Dorsi

Deltoid

Correct answer:

Gluteus Maximus

Explanation:

The largest muscle in the entire body is the Gluteus Maximus which is found in the buttocks. It has the function of keeping the entire body erect by inserting itself in the pelvic bone.

Example Question #92 : Muscles

Which nerve innervates gluteus maximus?

Possible Answers:

Superior gluteal nerve

Obturator nerve

Sciatic nerve

Inferior gluteal nerve

Correct answer:

Inferior gluteal nerve

Explanation:

Gluteus maximus is an thigh extensor, additionally it laterally stabilizes the hip and knee, and laterally rotates and adducts the thigh. It's insertion is the gluteal tuberosity. It is innervated by the inferior gluteal nerve.

The superior gluteal nerve innervates the tensor fascia lata, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. It does not innervate gluteus maximus, which is innervated by the inferior gluteal nerve. The obturator nerve provides sensation to skin on the medial aspect of the thigh and innervates adductor muscles of the lower extremity. The sciatic nerve provides sensation to most of the skin on the leg, and it innervates muscles of the posterior thigh, leg, and foot.

Example Question #93 : Muscles

Which of the following muscles crosses more than one joint?

Possible Answers:

Gracillis

Adductor brevis

Adductor longus

Adductor magnus

Correct answer:

Gracillis

Explanation:

The gracillis muscle is thin and flat muscle at the medial side of the thigh; it is the most superficial muscle on the medial side of the thigh. It originates at the anterior margin of the symphysis pubis and the pubic arch. The muscle runs downward, ending in a tendon that passes behind the medial condyle of the femur and onto the medial condyle of the tibia where it inserts into the tibia below the condyle (as part of the pes anserinus). 

The gracillis adducts, medially rotates, and flexes the hip, it also aids in knee flexion.

Example Question #94 : Muscles

Which of the following is not innervated by the superior gluteal nerve?

Possible Answers:

Gluteus medius 

Gluteus maximus 

Gluteus minimus

Tensor fascia lata

Correct answer:

Gluteus maximus 

Explanation:

The superior gluteal nerve innervates the tensor fascia lata, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. It does not innervate gluteus maximus, which is innervated by the inferior gluteal nerve. 

Tensor fascia lata helps stabilize the knee, especially in extension, while gluteus medius and minimus abduct the thigh and help to medially rotate the thigh. Paralysis of these gluteal abductors leads to a characteristic limp called the Trendelenburg gait. The Trendelenburg can be described when a person shifts their body weight tot he affected side to keep from tripping over the other side.

Example Question #95 : Muscles

Which of the following bones is not a component of the knee joint?

Possible Answers:

Tibia

Fibula

Patella

Femur

Correct answer:

Fibula

Explanation:

The knee is the largest, most complex synovial joint in the body. It is primarily limited to flexion and extension, but allows for some minimal rotation. It is composed of the distal femur, proximal tibia, and patella. The knee is stabilized by the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the medial collateral ligament (MCL), the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), and meniscus. The patella is held into place by the patellar ligament. 

Example Question #96 : Muscles

Knee buckling refers to involuntary flexion of the knee. Muscles that eccentrically control knee flexion prevent this from occurring.

You have a patient whose left knee buckles when he walks. His quadriceps strength is normal bilaterally. Keeping this in mind, weakness in what other muscle could explain his knee buckling?

Possible Answers:

Soleus

Tibialis anterior

Gastrocnemius

Tibialis posterior

Correct answer:

Soleus

Explanation:

In weight-bearing, as is the case during walking, ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion cause the tibia to move anteriorly and posteriorly, respectively. This results in flexion or extension of the knee, respectively. Keeping this in mind, although the gastrocnemius is a plantarflexor, it is also a knee flexor, so weakness in this muscle would not contribute to knee buckling. Because of the effect of dorsiflexion during weight bearing, the tibialis anterior would actually promote knee buckling, not resist it. Although the tibialis posterior is a plantarflexor, its primary role in gait involves maintaining the shape of the medial longitudinal arch. The soleus is ankle plantarflexor that eccentrically resists knee flexion (anterior movement of the tibia during weight-bearing). Accordingly, soleus weakness would explain this patient's knee buckling.

Example Question #153 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following muscles attaches to the sacrobtuberous ligament?

Possible Answers:

Biceps femoris, long head

Gluteus medius

Adductor magnus

Gemellus superior

Correct answer:

Biceps femoris, long head

Explanation:

The long head of the biceps femoris attaches to the ischial tuberosity, and has attachments to the sacrotuberous ligament. Through this attachment, it is thought that the long head of the biceps femoris helps stabilize the sacroiliac joint. Although the gluteus maximus attaches to the sacrotuberous ligament, the gluteus medius does not, and neither do the gemellus superior nor the adductor magnus.

Example Question #154 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following is a hip extensor?

Possible Answers:

Vastus intermedius

Quadratus femoris

Rectus femoris

Piriformis

Biceps femoris

Correct answer:

Biceps femoris

Explanation:

The biceps femoris muscle forms part of the hamstrings, and consists of a long and short head. Both heads perform knee flexion, and the long head is involved in hip extension as it originates in the pelvis.

Quadratus femoris is a strong external rotator and adductor of the thigh. Piriformis is a lateral rotator, and laterally rotates the femur, abducting it, during hip extension. The quadriceps consist of rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. The quadriceps flex the hip and extend the knee.

Example Question #155 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following muscles does not cross the hip joint?

Possible Answers:

Semitendinosus

Semimembranosus

Long head of biceps femoris

Short head of biceps femoris

All of these muscles cross the hip joint

Correct answer:

Short head of biceps femoris

Explanation:

The hamstring muscles consist of three posterior muscles and their tendons (semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris). The hamstring muscles are responsible for knee flexion and hip extension. The semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and the long head of biceps femoris all originate at the ischial tuberosity (having these muscles cross the hip joint), while the short head of biceps femoris originate at the linea aspera and the lateral supracondylar line of the femur. 

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