Human Anatomy and Physiology : Gross Anatomy

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #141 : Gross Anatomy

Which muscle in the posterior compartment of the leg contributes most to the driving force in running and walking?

Possible Answers:

Plantaris

Gracilis

Soleus

Gastrocnemius

Correct answer:

Soleus

Explanation:

Although the gastrocnemius is a large muscle, it is not as involved in walking and running as is the soleus. Rather, it is a powerful plantarflexor of the foot and is more active in jumping and other movements that require powerful plantarflexion. The gracilis muscle is located in the thigh, and is responsible for weak flexion, internal rotation, and adduction of the hip. The plantaris muscle only minimally aids in running and walking and is not present in about 10% of the population. This means the correct answer is the soleus muscle.

Example Question #142 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following muscles inserts into the tibia via the quadriceps tendon?

Possible Answers:

Gastrocnemius

Psoas major

Vastus lateralis

Semimembranosss

Correct answer:

Vastus lateralis

Explanation:

The quadriceps tendon is located in the anterior compartment of the thigh. This means we are looking for a muscle that is also located in the anterior compartment of the thigh. There are four muscles that insert via the quadriceps tendon: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. 

Example Question #143 : Gross Anatomy

Where is the gastrocnemius?

Possible Answers:

The sole of the foot

The back of the thigh

The front of the thigh

The back of the leg

Correct answer:

The back of the leg

Explanation:

The gastrocnemius is one of the muscles that makes up the calf muscles in the leg. The other calf muscle is the soleus, which lies under the gastrocnemius. The gastrocnemius also has two heads which give it a "diamond" shape. There are several layers of different muscles on the soles of the feet. The hamstrings are the group of muscles found on the back of the thigh, with the biceps femoris being the largest. The quadriceps are the muscle group on the front of the thigh, the vastus lateralis is the largest of these. 

Example Question #144 : Gross Anatomy

The three muscles in the pes anserine group are ____________________, and __________, and they function to flex and medially rotate the leg at the knee joint. 

Possible Answers:

adductor longus . . . rectus femoris . . . piriformis

adductor magnus . . . adductor brevis . . . adductor longus

sartorius . . . gracilis . . . semitendinosus

pectineus . . . adductor longus . . . adductor brevis

adductor longus . . . sartorius . . . gracilis

Correct answer:

sartorius . . . gracilis . . . semitendinosus

Explanation:

Sartorius, gracilis, semitendinosus make up the pes anserine group whose conjoined tendons insert onto the anteromedial surface of the proximal extremity of the tibia. They flex and medially rotate the leg at the knee joint. 

Example Question #88 : Muscles

The __________ attaches from the anterior superior iliac spine to the iliotibial band. 

Possible Answers:

Sartorius

gluteus maximus

tensor fascia latae

Pectineus

Piriformis

Correct answer:

tensor fascia latae

Explanation:

The tensor fascia latae attaches from the anterior superior iliac spine to the iliotibial band. 

Example Question #145 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following statements about the adductor magnus is false?

Possible Answers:

From the posterior perspective, the adductor magnus is deep to all three hamstring muscles. 

The adductor magnus has an anterior head and a posterior head. 

The gluteus maximus and the short head of the biceps femurs attach directly lateral to the adductor magnus onto the femur. 

The adductor magnus is innervated solely by the sciatic nerve. 

The adductor magnus is the only member of the adductor group whose major sagittal plane actions are extension of the thigh and posterior tilt of the pelvis at the hip joint. 

Correct answer:

The adductor magnus is innervated solely by the sciatic nerve. 

Explanation:

The adductor magnus is innervated by both the sciatic nerve and the obturator nerve. 

Example Question #34 : Identifying Muscles Of The Lower Extremities

What is the largest muscle in the body?

Possible Answers:

Biceps Brachii

Gluteus Maximus

Gastrocnemius

Latissimus Dorsi

Deltoid

Correct answer:

Gluteus Maximus

Explanation:

The largest muscle in the entire body is the Gluteus Maximus which is found in the buttocks. It has the function of keeping the entire body erect by inserting itself in the pelvic bone.

Example Question #146 : Gross Anatomy

Which nerve innervates gluteus maximus?

Possible Answers:

Sciatic nerve

Obturator nerve

Inferior gluteal nerve

Superior gluteal nerve

Correct answer:

Inferior gluteal nerve

Explanation:

Gluteus maximus is an thigh extensor, additionally it laterally stabilizes the hip and knee, and laterally rotates and adducts the thigh. It's insertion is the gluteal tuberosity. It is innervated by the inferior gluteal nerve.

The superior gluteal nerve innervates the tensor fascia lata, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. It does not innervate gluteus maximus, which is innervated by the inferior gluteal nerve. The obturator nerve provides sensation to skin on the medial aspect of the thigh and innervates adductor muscles of the lower extremity. The sciatic nerve provides sensation to most of the skin on the leg, and it innervates muscles of the posterior thigh, leg, and foot.

Example Question #147 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following muscles crosses more than one joint?

Possible Answers:

Adductor magnus

Adductor longus

Adductor brevis

Gracillis

Correct answer:

Gracillis

Explanation:

The gracillis muscle is thin and flat muscle at the medial side of the thigh; it is the most superficial muscle on the medial side of the thigh. It originates at the anterior margin of the symphysis pubis and the pubic arch. The muscle runs downward, ending in a tendon that passes behind the medial condyle of the femur and onto the medial condyle of the tibia where it inserts into the tibia below the condyle (as part of the pes anserinus). 

The gracillis adducts, medially rotates, and flexes the hip, it also aids in knee flexion.

Example Question #148 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following is not innervated by the superior gluteal nerve?

Possible Answers:

Gluteus medius 

Tensor fascia lata

Gluteus maximus 

Gluteus minimus

Correct answer:

Gluteus maximus 

Explanation:

The superior gluteal nerve innervates the tensor fascia lata, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. It does not innervate gluteus maximus, which is innervated by the inferior gluteal nerve. 

Tensor fascia lata helps stabilize the knee, especially in extension, while gluteus medius and minimus abduct the thigh and help to medially rotate the thigh. Paralysis of these gluteal abductors leads to a characteristic limp called the Trendelenburg gait. The Trendelenburg can be described when a person shifts their body weight tot he affected side to keep from tripping over the other side.

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