Human Anatomy and Physiology : Muscles

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Muscles

Which of the following statements about the carotid triangle is not correct?

Possible Answers:

The superior border of the carotid triangle is the posterior belly of the disgastric muscle.

The internal jugular vein is present in the carotid triangle.

The inferior border of the carotid triangle is the superior belly of the omohyoid muscle.

The subclavian vein is contained within the carotid triangle.

The lateral border of the carotid triangle is the medial border of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle.

Correct answer:

The subclavian vein is contained within the carotid triangle.

Explanation:

The only statement among the choices provided that is false is: "The subclavian vein is contained within the carotid triangle." This statement is false because the subclavian vein in its entirety runs inferiorly to the boundaries of the carotid triangle.

The boundaries of the carotid triangle are as follows:

Superior: Posterior belly of the digastric muscle

Inferior: Superior belly of the omohyoid muscle

Lateral: Medial border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle

Each of the boundaries were stated correctly within the given answer choices. In addition, the internal jugular vein, is correctly stated as being present in the carotid triangle. Also contained in the carotid triangle are the common carotid artery, the internal jugular vein, the vagus nerve, and the hypoglossal nerve.

Example Question #41 : Muscles

Which of the following does not provide innervation to or from the tongue?

Possible Answers:

Glossopharyngeal nerve

Facial nerve

Hypoglossal nerve

Maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve

Mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve

Correct answer:

Maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve

Explanation:

The tongue has a complicated innervation and is innervated by five cranial nerves. The innervation can be divided into motor and sensory innervations. In regards to motor innervation the palatoglossus is innervated by cranial nerve (CN) X (vagus nerve), while all other muscles of the tongue are innervated by CN XII (hypoglossal nerve). Sensory innervation is a bit more complicated. CN IX (glossopharyngeal nerve) is responsible for general and special sense (taste) of the posterior one-third of the tongue. CN VII (chorda tympani from the facial nerve) is responsible for special sensory (taste) of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, while the mandibular branch of CN V (lingual nerve of the mandibular branch of trigeminal nerve) allows for general sensory of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. 

Example Question #42 : Muscles

From deepest to most superficial, what is the correct order of the layers of abdominal musculature. 

Possible Answers:

Parietal peritoneum, external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominus

Parietal peritoneum, internal oblique, transversus abdominus, external oblique

Transversalis fascia, internal oblique, external oblique, skin

Transversalis fascia, transversus abdominus, internal oblique, external oblique

Correct answer:

Transversalis fascia, transversus abdominus, internal oblique, external oblique

Explanation:

The transverse fascia is a thin aponeurotic membrane that lies between the transverse abdominal muscle and the parietal peritoneum. Superficial to the transverse abdominal muscle is the internal oblique, with the external oblique superficial to the internal oblique. Sitting on top of the abdominal musculature is a layer of superficial fat followed by skin

Parietal peritoneum, extraperitoneal fat, transversesalis fascia, transversus abdominus, internal oblique, external oblique, superficial fat, skin

(Note: rectus abdominus lies within the aponeurosis of internal oblique).

Example Question #43 : Muscles

At the level of the umbilicus and the anterior axillary line, what is the correct order of abdominal structures from superficial to deep?

Possible Answers:

Transversalis fascia, transversus abdominis muscle, internal oblique muscle, external oblique muscle

Internal oblique contribution to rectus sheath, rectus abdominis muscle, internal oblique contribution to rectus sheath, transversus abdominis contribution to rectus sheath

External oblique muscle, transversus abdominis muscle, transversalis fascia, internal oblique muscle

External oblique muscle, internal oblique muscle, transversus abdominis muscle, transversalis fascia

None of these

Correct answer:

External oblique muscle, internal oblique muscle, transversus abdominis muscle, transversalis fascia

Explanation:

From superficial to deep, the layers of abdominal wall structures above the arcuate line are in the following order: external oblique muscle, internal oblique muscle, transversus abdominis muscle, transversalis fascia, peritoneum.

Below the arcuate line, the only change is that internal oblique and the transversus abdominis aponeuroses join together and then travel superficial to the rectus muscle. 

Example Question #94 : Gross Anatomy

Which of these muscles is not involved in smiling?

Possible Answers:

zygomaticus major

risorius

masseter

zygomaticus minor

Correct answer:

masseter

Explanation:

The masseter is a muscle of mastication. It helps with food digestion rather than facial expression. 

Example Question #44 : Muscles

Which of the following muscles will be stretched most effectively by right rotation of the head and neck?

Possible Answers:

Left splenius capitis

Right splenius capitis

Left longissimus cervicis and capitis

Left upper trapezius

Correct answer:

Left splenius capitis

Explanation:

The splenius capitus muscle will be stretched most effectively by rotation of the head and neck. The splenius capitus is a broad, strap like muscle found at the posterior neck. It attaches at the base of the skull and inserts at the vertebrae of the cervical and upper thoracic spine. It is involved in head extension, in addition to lateral flexion and rotation of the cervical spine. 

Example Question #45 : Muscles

Which of the following is true regarding the rectus abdominis muscle?

Possible Answers:

Inserts into the cartilage of the fifth to seventh ribs but not the xiphoid process

Expands the abdomen to aid in urination and defecation

Compresses the abdomen to aid in forced exhalation but not childbirth

Originates from the pubic crest and pubic symphysis

Extends the vertebral column, especially the lumbar region

Correct answer:

Originates from the pubic crest and pubic symphysis

Explanation:

The rectus abdominis muscle originates from the pubic crest and pubic symphysis and inserts into the cartilage of the fifth to seventh ribs and the xiphoid process. It functions as a flexor of the vertebral column, especially in the lumbar region and is capable of compressing the abdomen to aid in urination, defecation, forced exhalation, and childbirth.

Example Question #46 : Muscles

Which of the following is the action of the external oblique muscle?

Possible Answers:

Bilaterally compresses the abdomen

Bilaterally expands the abdomen

Cannot rotate the vertebral column

Unilaterally will laterally extend the vertebral column especially in the lumbar region

Extends the vertebral column

Correct answer:

Bilaterally compresses the abdomen

Explanation:

The external oblique muscle bilaterally compresses the abdomen and flexes the vertebral column. Unilaterally it can laterally flex the vertebral column, particularly in the lumbar region, as well as rotate the column.

Example Question #47 : Muscles

Which of the following is true of the internal oblique muscle?

Possible Answers:

It originates from the transverse processes of the first four lumbar vertebrae

It originates from the cartilage of the last three or four ribs

It originates from the iliac crest, inguinal ligament, and thoracolumbar fascia

It originates only from the iliac crest and inguinal ligament

It originates only from the thoracolumbar fascia

Correct answer:

It originates from the iliac crest, inguinal ligament, and thoracolumbar fascia

Explanation:

The internal oblique muscle normally has its origin from the iliac crest, inguinal ligament, and thoracolumbar fascia. Its insertion is into the cartilage of the last three or four ribs as well as the transverse processes of the first four lumbar vertebrae.

Example Question #48 : Muscles

The transversus abdominis muscle __________.

Possible Answers:

can rotate the vertebral column

only expands the abdomen with the rectus abdominis

can flex the lumbar vertebrae

functions as a compressor of the abdomen

expands the thorax and abdomen

Correct answer:

functions as a compressor of the abdomen

Explanation:

The transversus abdominis muscle originates from the iliac crest, inguinal ligament, lumbar fascia, and cartilages of the inferior six ribs. It inserts into the xiphoid process, linea alba, and pubis. It functions as a compressor of the abdomen.

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