Human Anatomy and Physiology : Organs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #161 : Organs

What structure passes through the vertebral foramina of the cervical vertebrae?

Possible Answers:

Internal carotid artery

Ligamentum nuchae/nuchal ligament

External carotid artery

Vertebral artery

Alar ligament

Correct answer:

Vertebral artery

Explanation:

The vertebral artery passes through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae. The alar ligament connects the odontoid process of cervical vertebra 2 (C2), also known as the axis, to the occipital bone. The nuchal ligament spans from the external occipital protuberance to the spinous process of C7. Although the internal and external carotid arteries supply blood to structures in the cervical spine, the do not pass through the transverse foramina.

Example Question #162 : Organs

Which of the following is not a major branch of the facial nerve?

Possible Answers:

Lingual branch

Zygomatic branch

Temporal branch

All of these are branches of the facial nerve

Buccal branch

Correct answer:

Lingual branch

Explanation:

The five major branches of the facial nerve are (in order from superior to inferior): Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Marginal mandibular, and Cervical. (A helpful mnemonic: The Zebra Bit My Cookie)

Distal to the stylomastoid foramen (extracranially) the facial nerve also branches to the digastric muscle as well as the stylohyoid muscle. The facial nerve also gives off a branch to the posterior auricular nerve which controls scalp muscles around the ear.

Example Question #163 : Organs

What is the main vessel that sends oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs?

Possible Answers:

Bronchial arteries 

Peroneal vein 

Aorta

Pulmonary artery

Pulmonary vein

Correct answer:

Pulmonary artery

Explanation:

The pulmonary artery carries oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. The blood here passes through capillaries adjacent to alveoli and becomes oxygenated as part of the process of respiration. The oxygen-rich blood then enters the pulmonary vein and is drained into the left atrium of the heart. From the left atrium blood then enters the left ventricle where it will be ejected through the aorta. 

In contrast to the pulmonary arteries, the bronchial arteries supply nutrition to the lung themselves. The peroneal vein (aka fibular vein) helps carry blood from the lateral compartment of the leg.

Example Question #164 : Organs

Which nerve runs through the quadrangular space of the upper limb?

Possible Answers:

Radial nerve

Suprascapular nerve

Axillary nerve

Subscapular nerve

Correct answer:

Axillary nerve

Explanation:

The axillary nerve, along with the posterior circumflex humeral artery and vein, pass through the quadrangular space. The quadrangular space boundaries consist of the teres minor muscle, the surgical neck of the humerus, the superior margin of the teres major, and the long head of the triceps brachii.

Example Question #165 : Organs

Which the following nerves does not have any motor function?

Possible Answers:

Long thoracic nerve

Tibial nerve

Musculocutaneous nerve

Saphenous nerve

Correct answer:

Saphenous nerve

Explanation:

The long thoracic nerve innervates the serratus anterior, and only has motor function. Although the musculocutaneous nerve provides cutaneous sensation to the lateral forearm, it also innervates the biceps brachii, brachialis, and coracobrachialis muscles. The tibial nerve innervates the hamstrings (except the biceps femoris short head) and provides sensation to the plantar surface of the foot (via the plantar nerves). The saphenous nerve provides cutaneous sensation to the medial lower extremity, and does not have any motor function

Example Question #166 : Organs

Which of the following arteries does not directly branch off from the celiac trunk?

Possible Answers:

Common hepatic

Left gastric

Splenic 

Gastroduodenal

Correct answer:

Gastroduodenal

Explanation:

The celiac trunk (which comes off the abdominal aorta) divides into the splenic, common hepatic, and left gastric arteries. The splenic artery, is large and highly tortuous. It gives off the left gastroepiploic artery, some short gastric arteries, and some pancreatic branches. The common hepatic artery, gives off the proper hepatic artery, the right gastric artery, and the gastroduodenal artery. The left gastric artery gives rise to the esophageal and hepatic branches.

The gastroduodenal artery branches from the common hepatic artery where it descends behind the duodenum to divide into the right gastroepiploic and superior pancrearicoduodenal arteries.

Example Question #68 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which of the following is not a component of the femoral triangle?

Possible Answers:

Femoral artery

Femoral nerve

Femoral vein

Femur

Correct answer:

Femur

Explanation:

The femoral triangle contains (from lateral to medial) the femoral nerve, artery, vein, and canal. The pulsation of the femoral artery may be felt just inferior to the midpoint of the inguinal ligament.

The femoral triangle is bounded by the inguinal ligament superiorly, the sartorius muscle laterally, and the adductor longus muscle medially. The floor of the femoral triangle is formed by the illiopsoas, pectineus, and adductor longus muscles. 

Example Question #69 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

The Vagus nerve controls which type of motor nerves from the neck to the transverse colon?

Possible Answers:

Sympathetic 

Motor

Parasympathetic

Sensory

 

Correct answer:

Parasympathetic

Explanation:

The Vagus nerve has both sensory and motor function. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are responsible for the "fight or flight" and "rest and digest" actions of the autonomic nervous system respectively. The Vagus nerve is responsible for the parasympathetic motor nerves.

Example Question #70 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which sensory cranial nerve is responsible for vision?

Possible Answers:

Olfactory nerve

Optic nerve

Trochlear nerve

Hypoglossal nerve

Correct answer:

Optic nerve

Explanation:

The question is asking for a sensory nerve, meaning we can eliminate the trochlear and hypoglossal nerves. The olfactory nerve is responsible for smell whereas the optic nerve for vision, making the correct answer the optic nerve.

Example Question #641 : Gross Anatomy

Which nerve has both sensory and motor functions in the face, sinuses, teeth, and mouth?

Possible Answers:

Facial nerve

Trigeminal nerve

Oculomotor nerve

Hypoglossal nerve

Correct answer:

Trigeminal nerve

Explanation:

There are only four cranial nerves with both sensory and motor functions: the trigeminal, facial, glossopharyngeal, and vagus nerves. Only two of those are answer choices: facial and trigeminal. While the facial nerve controls the tongue, only the trigeminal nerve is responsible for the muscles of mastication around the mouth, making the trigeminal nerve the correct answer.

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