Human Anatomy and Physiology : Organs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #201 : Organs

The abdominal aorta splits into which set of paired arteries that supply the legs?

Possible Answers:

Right and left gastro-omental arteries

Right and left iliac arteries

Right and left renal arteries

Right and left adrenal arteries

Correct answer:

Right and left iliac arteries

Explanation:

Here, we are looking for a pair of arteries that comes inferiority along the abdominal aorta. The correct answer here is the pair of iliac arteries that supply the legs. The adrenal arteries supply the adrenal glands, the renal arteries supply the kidneys, and the gastro-mental arteries supple the greater curvature of the stomach, each of which superior to the hips and legs.

Example Question #202 : Organs

Which of the following arteries does not arise from the aortic arch?

Possible Answers:

Left subclavian

Brachiocephalic trunk

Left common carotid

Right common carotid

Correct answer:

Right common carotid

Explanation:

The aortic arch comes directly from the left ventricle of the heart following the ascending aorta and has three branches that supply the head, neck, and upper extremities. The correct answer is the right common carotid artery, as this artery arises from the brachiocephalic trunk. All the other answer choices come from the aortic arch. In the anatomical position from left to right it is ordered left subclavian, left common carotid, brachiocephalic trunk.

Example Question #203 : Organs

The brachiocephalic trunk branches off into which two arteries?

Possible Answers:

Right common carotid and right subclavian

Right common carotid and right axillary

Left and right common carotids

Left common carotid and left subclavian

Correct answer:

Right common carotid and right subclavian

Explanation:

The brachiocephalic trunk extends to the right side of the chest and neck, giving rise to two main arteries. These are the right common carotid artery which supplies the neck, face and brain, and the axillary artery which extends to the shoulder and arm. The left common carotid and left subclavian arteries both arise from the aortic arch.

Example Question #204 : Organs

The right and left vertebral arteries merge together to become which artery in the circle of Willis?

Possible Answers:

Middle cerebral artery

Internal carotid artery

Posterior communicating artery

Basilar artery

Correct answer:

Basilar artery

Explanation:

The correct answer is the basilar artery. The vertebral arteries extend into the posterior compartment of the brain, merging to become the basilar artery which then anastomoses with arteries in the anterior compartment of the brain. The internal carotid arteries branch into the middle cerebral arteries while the posterior communicating arteries connect the middle and posterior cerebral arteries.

Example Question #205 : Organs

What is a difference between veins and arteries?

Possible Answers:

Veins are never larger than arteries 

Only arteries have muscle in the tunica media

Veins have thicker walls than arteries 

Arteries have a thicker layer of muscle in the tunica media

Correct answer:

Arteries have a thicker layer of muscle in the tunica media

Explanation:

Arteries carry blood away from the heart and experience higher blood pressure. Thus, arteries have a thicker layer of muscle within the tunica media. Veins also have muscle in the tunica media, but it is much thinner than that found in arteries. Veins often are larger in diameter than arteries as well due to the larger volume of blood they carry. Finally, due to the thicker muscle in arteries, they have thicker walls than veins. 

Example Question #206 : Organs

What nerve innervates the diaphragm and from which spinal levels does it originate?

Possible Answers:

Vagus nerve - C3, C4, and C5

Subcostal nerve - T3, T4, and T5

Phrenic nerve - C3, C4, and C5

Axillary nerve - T1 and T2

Intercostal nerve - T1 and T2

Correct answer:

Phrenic nerve - C3, C4, and C5

Explanation:

The phrenic nerve is the innervation for the diaphragm. It originates in the cervical spine at the levels of C3-C5. There are two phrenic nerves (left and right), which innervate their respective sides of the diaphragm. A helpful phrase to remember this is "C3,C4,C5 keeps the diaphragm alive!"

Example Question #207 : Organs

At what dermatomal level is the nipple innervated?

Possible Answers:

T4

T2

T10

T12

T6

Correct answer:

T4

Explanation:

The correct answer is T4. The surface of the skin is divided into specific areas called dermatomes, which are derived from the cells of a somite. As a fetus the somite divides into 3 regions: (1) myotome, which forms  skeletal muscle; (2) dermatome, which forms the connective tissues, including the dermis; and (3) sclerotome, which gives rise to the vertebrae. A dermatome is an area of skin in which sensory nerves derive from a single spinal nerve root. For the nipple this area is T4. 

Example Question #208 : Organs

At what dermatomal level is the xiphoid process innervated?

Possible Answers:

T6

T12

T10

T4

T1

Correct answer:

T6

Explanation:

The correct answer is T6. The surface of the skin is divided into specific areas called dermatomes, which are derived from the cells of a somite. As a fetus the somite divides into 3 regions: (1) myotome, which forms  skeletal muscle; (2) dermatome, which forms the connective tissues, including the dermis; and (3) sclerotome, which gives rise to the vertebrae. A dermatome is an area of skin in which sensory nerves derive from a single spinal nerve root. For the xiphoid process this area is T6. 

Example Question #209 : Organs

At what dermatomal level is the umbilicus innervated?

Possible Answers:

T10

T4

T6

T12

T2

Correct answer:

T10

Explanation:

The correct answer is T10. The surface of the skin is divided into specific areas called dermatomes, which are derived from the cells of a somite. As a fetus the somite divides into 3 regions: (1) myotome, which forms  skeletal muscle; (2) dermatome, which forms the connective tissues, including the dermis; and (3) sclerotome, which gives rise to the vertebrae. A dermatome is an area of skin in which sensory nerves derive from a single spinal nerve root. For the umbilicus this area is T10.

Example Question #111 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

What cranial nerve passes through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone?

Possible Answers:

Cranial nerve II

Optic nerve

Olfactory nerve

Cranial nerve V

Correct answer:

Olfactory nerve

Explanation:

The olfactory nerve (cranial nerve I) passes through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone. As its name suggests, it provides us with our sense of smell. Cranial nerve II is synonymous with the optic nerve, and does not pass through the cribriform plate, but rather, the optic canal of the sphenoid bone. Cranial nerve V is the trigeminal nerve, and passes through multiple openings in the skull, but the cribriform plate is not one of them.

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