Human Anatomy and Physiology : Organs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Identifying Other Anatomical Structures

Which of the following valves allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle?

Possible Answers:

Pulmonary valve

Aortic valve

Tricuspid valve

Mitral valve

Correct answer:

Mitral valve

Explanation:

The atrium and ventricle on each side of the heart are separated from one another by the atrioventricular valves. There is also another pair of valves that separate the ventricles from the arteries exiting the ventricles, known as the semilunar valves. The semilunar valves are the pulmonary and aortic valves, which separate the ventricles from the pulmonary trunk and aorta respectively. The tricuspid valve is found between the right atrium and ventricle, while the mitral (bicuspid) valve is found between the left atrium and ventricle.

Example Question #4 : Identifying Other Anatomical Structures

What is the site of maturation for T-lymphocytes?

Possible Answers:

Liver

Bone marrow

Thymus

Spleen

Correct answer:

Thymus

Explanation:

T-lymphocytes mature in the thymus, where they interact with "self antigens." This process ensures that T-lymphocytes do not interact with antigens found in the body. If the immature cell interacts with self antigens, the T-lymphocyte will be destroyed. Mature T-lymphocytes that still react to self antigens can cause allergic reactions and autoimmune disease.

B-lymphocytes, in contrast, mature in the bone marrow. Both types of lymphocyte originate from stem cells in the bone marrow, but differ in their site of maturation.

Example Question #5 : Identifying Other Anatomical Structures

In which abdominopelvic region is the appendix located?

Possible Answers:

Right hypochondriac

Right lumbar

Right iliac

Epigastric

Umbilical

Correct answer:

Right iliac

Explanation:

The appendix is located in the lower right corner of the abdominopelvic cavity, of which there are nine regions. The lower corners are known as the iliac regions, named after the adjacent coxal section. The lumbar regions are located directly superior of the iliac regions, and the hypochondriac regions are directly superior to the lumbar regions. Medial to the hypochondriac, lumbar, and iliac regions are (from superior to inferior) the epigastric, umbilical and hypogastric regions.

Orientation of abdominopelvic regions:

Example Question #6 : Identifying Other Anatomical Structures

The pleural cavity contains what organ?

Possible Answers:

Brain

Rectum

Heart

Diaphragm

Lungs

Correct answer:

Lungs

Explanation:

The body can be divided into two main cavities: the dorsal cavity and the ventral cavity. The ventral cavity contains several subdivision, namely the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities. Of these, only the thoracic cavity can be further divided.

Within the thoracic cavity are the two pleural cavities, separated by a central pericardial cavity. The pleural cavities are defined by the pleural space and membranes around the lungs. This is the region that must expand in order to generate the negative pressure that is necessary for inspiration.

The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. The rectum is located in the pelvic cavity. The heart has its own cavity called the pericardial, which is another subset of the thoracic cavity. The brain is in the cranial cavity, a subset of the dorsal body cavity. 

Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Anatomical Structures

Which of the following epidermal layers is only found in the palms and soles of the feet?

Possible Answers:

Stratum lucidum

Stratum corneum

Stratum granulosum

Stratum basale

Correct answer:

Stratum lucidum

Explanation:

The skin is made up of two major components: the superficial epidermis layer and the deep dermis layer. The epidermis is essentially made up of four layers, however, there is an additional layer found in regions of thick skin. The four principle epidermal layers, going from superficial to deep, are the stratum corneum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale. In regions of thick skin (namely the soles of the feet and palms of the hands) there is an additional layer of cells located between the stratum corneum and stratum granulosum, known as the stratum lucidum, which serves to enhance protection and cushioning of these areas.

Example Question #711 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following is the innermost layer of the hair shaft?

Possible Answers:

Cuticle

Dermal root sheath

Cortex

Medulla

Correct answer:

Medulla

Explanation:

A hair has two principle parts: the shaft and the root. The shaft is seen above the skin and the root stays deep within the skin surface. The shaft and the root are made of keratinized epithelial cells, which have ceased to divide and are considered non-living. The cells of the hair are organized into three layers. The cuticle is the outermost layer, which wraps around the hair exterior. The next layer is the cortex, which surrounds the innermost layer, the medulla. The root sheath structure is separate from the actual hair and is constructed from living epithelial cells that anchor and nourish the hair.

Example Question #5 : Identifying Other Anatomical Structures

A 19-year old man was crossing the street when he was struck by a car turning the corner. He is brought to the trauma bay with an open right tib-fib fracture (both tibia and fibula fractured). The man is brought to the OR for intramedullary nailing. After placing the rod, the surgeon decides to check muscle compartment pressures for compartment syndrome. What are the four muscle compartments in the leg?

Possible Answers:

Dorsal, palmar, medial, lateral

Anteromedial, anterolateral, superficial posterior, deep posterior

Anterior, lateral, superficial posterior, deep posterior

Anterior, lateral, medial, posterior

Dorsal, plantar, lateral, posterior

Correct answer:

Anterior, lateral, superficial posterior, deep posterior

Explanation:

The four leg compartments are anterior, lateral, superficial posterior, and deep posterior.

The anterior compartment contains muscles, nerves, and vessels for dorsiflexion. From medial to lateral, these are the: tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, anterior tibial artery, deep peroneal nerve, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneus tertius. The lateral compartment consists of the peroneus longus and brevis, and superficial peroneal nerve for feet eversion. The superficial posterior compartment is for plantarflexion, consisting of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles and the sural nerve. The deep posterior compartment contains the tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, posterior tibial artery and vein, tibial nerve, and flexor hallucis longus.

All of these compartments need to be evaluated when a tibia fracture occurs, as pressures could rise and cut off nerve and/or vascular supply.

Example Question #721 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following does not contain apocrine sweat glands?

Possible Answers:

Areola of the breast

Ear canal

Axilla

Perianal region

Fingers

Correct answer:

Fingers

Explanation:

There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Apocrine sweat glands are slightly larger and open into hair follicles. They produce an odorous, thicker fluid in comparison to eccrine glands. Apocrine glands are located at the perianal, axillary, and areolar regions on the body, as well as the ear canal and eyelids. The ear canals and eyelids house modified apocrine sweat glands that produce specialized secretions.

Eccrine sweat glands are located basically everywhere and open onto the skin surface. The fluid produced is more viscous, containing water, sodium chloride, urea, ammonia, and uric acid.

Example Question #722 : Gross Anatomy

How many chambers does the heart have?

Possible Answers:

Four

Three

Five

Two

Correct answer:

Four

Explanation:

The heart is the pump that distributes oxygenated blood throughout the body and is enclosed in a sac known as the pericardium. The pericardial sac is made of the fibrous and serous pericardium. The heart has four chambers, which are divided by septums to prevent exchange of blood between adjacent chambers. The chambers of the heart are the right atrium, right ventricle, left artium, and left ventricle. The right atrium receives blood from the superior and inferior vena cavae. Blood then passes from the right atrium to the reight ventrical via the tricuspid valve. The right ventricle pumps blood into the pulmonary arteries for transport tot he lungs to receive oxygen. Following gas exchange, the pulmonary veins return the blood to the left atrium of the heart. The blood them passes through the bicuspid (mitral) valve before entering the left ventricle. The left ventricle pumps the blood into the aorta to be carried through arteries to the tissues of the body.

Example Question #723 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following structures is found in the middle mediastinum?

Possible Answers:

Trachea

Esophagus

Arch of the aorta

Heart

Correct answer:

Heart

Explanation:

The middle mediastinum is the area bordered by the left and right pleural cavities. The major structures found within the middle division are the heart, the pericardium, the main bronchus, phrenic nerves, arch of the azygos vein, and the vessels coming out of the heart such as the aorta, pulmonary arteries, and veins. The arch of the aorta and the trachea are found in the superior mediastinum. The esophagus is found in the superior and posterior mediastinum.

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