Human Anatomy and Physiology : Gross Anatomy

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Gross Anatomy

Which of these are false regarding the rectus abdominis?

Possible Answers:

The rectus abdominis can contract in concert with the external abdominal obliques, internal abdominal obliques, and the transverse abdominis to compress the abdominal contents, helping with expiration and expulsion of abdominal contents. 

The rectus abdominis receives the majority of its arterial supply from the posterior intercostal and subcostal arteries. 

The rectus abdominis is encased in the rectus sheath, or abdominal aponeurosis. 

Three fibrous bands known as tendinous inscriptions transect the rectus abdominis muscles and divide each of them into four sections. 

The rectus abdominis is superficial in the anteromedial abdomen. 

Correct answer:

The rectus abdominis receives the majority of its arterial supply from the posterior intercostal and subcostal arteries. 

Explanation:

The rectus abdominis receives the majority of its arterial supply from the superior and inferior epigastric arteries. 

Example Question #92 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following statements about the auricular group of muscles is false?

Possible Answers:

There are four auricularis muscles: the auricular anterior, the auricular superior, the auricular inferior, and the auricular posterior.  

The auricularis posterior attaches from the temporal bone to the posterior ear. 

The auricularis superior elevates the ear. 

The auricularis group is supplied by the superficial temporal and posterior auricular arteries. 

The auricularis anterior attaches from the galea aponeurotica to the anterior ear. 

Correct answer:

There are four auricularis muscles: the auricular anterior, the auricular superior, the auricular inferior, and the auricular posterior.  

Explanation:

There are three auricularis muscles: the auricular anterior, the auricular superior, and the auricular posterior.  

Example Question #93 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following is not a function of the rectus abdominis?

Possible Answers:

depression of the rib cage

compression of the abdominopelvic cavity

Ipsilateral rotation of the trunk at the spinal joints

flexion of the trunk at the spinal joints

lateral flexion of the trunk at the spinal joints

Correct answer:

Ipsilateral rotation of the trunk at the spinal joints

Explanation:

Ipsilateral rotation of the trunk at the spinal joints is an action of the internal abdominal obliques, not the rectus abdominis. 

Example Question #94 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following statements about the anterior triangle of the human neck is correct?

Possible Answers:

The superior border of the anterior triangle of the neck is the posterior belly of the digastric muscle.

The inferior border of the anterior triangle of the neck is the inferior border of the mandible.

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

None of the other statements are correct.

The lateral border of the anterior triangle of the neck is the midline of the body (in the sagittal plane).

Correct answer:

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

Explanation:

The anatomical boundaries of the anterior triangle of the neck are:

Superior: Inferior border of the mandible 

Medial: Midline of the body (in the sagittal plane)

Lateral: Medial border of the sternoclediomastoid (SCM) muscle

Thus, the only correct statement in the answer choices provided is that the lateral border of the anterior triangle of the neck is the medial border of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle.

The choice, "The superior border of the anterior triangle of the neck is the posterior belly of the digastric muscle," is incorrect because it describes the superior border of the carotid triangle, not the anterior triangle of the neck.

Example Question #95 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following statements about the posterior triangle of the neck is true?

Possible Answers:

The superior boundary of the posterior triangle of the neck is the middle third of the clavicle bone.

None of the other statements are correct.

The anterior boundary of the posterior triangle of the neck is the pinna of the ear.

The posterior boundary of the posterior triangle of the neck is the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle.

The posterior boundary of the posterior triangle of the neck is the anterior border of the trapezius muscle.

Correct answer:

The posterior boundary of the posterior triangle of the neck is the anterior border of the trapezius muscle.

Explanation:

The only true statement provided about the boundaries of the posterior triangle of the neck is "The posterior boundary of the posterior triangle of the neck is the anterior border of the trapezius muscle."

The boundaries of the posterior triangle of the neck are as follows:

Anterior: Posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle

Posterior: Anterior border of the trapezius muscle

Inferior: Middle one third of the clavicle bone

The incorrect statements are variations upon the correct anatomy of the posterior triangle of the neck. The pinna of the ear, while superior to the posterior triangle of the neck, is neither a superior boundary nor an anterior boundary of the posterior triangle.

Example Question #96 : Gross Anatomy

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

Possible Answers:

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

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

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

The subclavian vein is contained within the carotid triangle.

The internal jugular vein is present in the carotid triangle.

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 #97 : Gross Anatomy

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

Possible Answers:

Facial nerve

Mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve

Glossopharyngeal nerve

Maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve

Hypoglossal 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 #98 : Gross Anatomy

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

Possible Answers:

Transversalis fascia, transversus abdominus, internal oblique, external oblique

Transversalis fascia, internal oblique, external oblique, skin

Parietal peritoneum, internal oblique, transversus abdominus, external oblique

Parietal peritoneum, external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominus

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 #99 : Gross Anatomy

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:

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

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

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

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. 

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