Human Anatomy and Physiology : Gross Anatomy

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Identifying Bones Of The Lower Extremities

Which of the following correctly lists the bones of the lower extremities, proximal-to-distal?

Possible Answers:

Metatarsals, tarsals, tibia, femur

Femur, tibia, metatarsals, tarsals

Tibia, tarsals, metatarsals, femur

Femur, tarsals, tibia, metatarsals

Femur, tibia, tarsals, metatarsals

Correct answer:

Femur, tibia, tarsals, metatarsals

Explanation:

Moving proximal-to-distal (away from the body's core, towards the end of the foot), the order of bones is the femur (thigh), tibia (leg), tarsals (foot bones close to ankle), metatarsals (foot bones far from ankle).

Example Question #262 : Human Anatomy And Physiology

Which of the following is a common site for bone marrow biopsy in children due to its large size?

Possible Answers:

Shoulder girdle

Pelvic girdle

Sternum

Femur

Correct answer:

Femur

Explanation:

A bone marrow biopsy is a procedure involving the removal of the fluid and a sample of bone from the marrow found at the center of some bones in the body. Aspiration, on the other hand, is only the removal of the fluid. The sample is acquired through a needle under anesthesia. The sample contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which can be observed under a microscope for abnormalities in numbers and shape. The results can also be used to look for spread of infection into the bone, as well as cancer.

The most common places for obtaining a sample in an adult are flat bones, namely the sternum and pelvic girdle. In children, the femur is a first choice. It is a long bone and is a major site of hematopoiesis in individuals younger than the age of 18.

Example Question #2 : Identifying Bones Of The Lower Extremities

Which of the following is not a bone of the foot?

Possible Answers:

Scaphoid

Talus

Navicular

Calcaneus

Correct answer:

Scaphoid

Explanation:

To remember the names of the tarsals, use the following mnemonic: Tiger Cubs Need MILC: Talus Calcaneus Navicular Medial Cuneiform Intermediate Cuneiform Lateral Cuneiform Cuboid. The scaphoid is carpal, all the others are a tarsals.

Example Question #2 : Identifying Bones Of The Lower Extremities

Which of the following is not a feature of the femur?

Possible Answers:

Malleolus

Patellar surface

Linea aspera

Medial condyle

Correct answer:

Malleolus

Explanation:

Each of these are features of the femur except the malleolus. That is a feature of the tibia and fibula. The linea aspera is located along the posterior surface of the femur. The femur has a medial and a lateral condyle at its distal end. The patellar surface articulates with the patella.

Example Question #54 : Bones

Which of the following is the weight-bearing bone of the lower leg.

Possible Answers:

Talus

Tibia

Femur

Fibula

Calcaneus

Correct answer:

Tibia

Explanation:

The correct answer is the tibia. While the distal ends of the fibula and tibia connect the knee to the ankle at the talocrural hinge joint, it is the tibia that is "weight-bearing" and one can see that it bears the majority of the weight by the way it aligns with the femur. It is also the thicker than the fibula. The talus is the lower ankle bone whose proximal end articulates with the distal ends of the tibia and fibula. Again, its articulation with the tibia bears more weight than it does with fibula. The calcaneus is the heel bone or the part of your foot you might want to karate kick with. The femur is not in the lower leg.

Example Question #51 : Bones

What is the largest sesamoid bone in the body?

Possible Answers:

Patella

Pisiform

Scaphoid

Hamate

None of these

Correct answer:

Patella

Explanation:

Sesamoid bones are located in tendons or joint capsules. They reduce friction, increase the force the tendon can pull, and/or maintain the shape of tendons when they are taut. The largest sesamoid bone in the body is the patella. The pisiform is also a sesamoid bone, but is much smaller than the patella and is located in the wrist. The scaphoid and hamate are located in the wrist, but are not sesamoid.

Example Question #52 : Bones

Which bony marking of the knee below can easily be felt through the skin on most people?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Olecranon

Tibial tuberosity

Lateral condyle

Soleal line

Correct answer:

Tibial tuberosity

Explanation:

The tibial tuberosity can be felt just inferior to the knee on the anterior side of the leg. The olecranon is also known as the elbow, and is part of the ulna. The lateral condyle is the insertion point for the biceps femoris, and cannot be palpated through the skin. The soleal line is on the posterior surface of the tibia, and is thus not palpable through the skin.

Example Question #264 : Gross Anatomy

What bone forms the shin?

Possible Answers:

Tibia

Femur

Fibula

Mandible

Correct answer:

Tibia

Explanation:

The bone that forms the shin is the tibia. This is palpable along the anterior surface of the lower limb. The fibula is also located in the lower leg, but is not part of the prominent ridge felt on the front of the leg, as it is deep. The femur is the bone found in the thigh. The mandible is the jaw bone.

Example Question #261 : Gross Anatomy

What type of bones are located within tendons to protect and ease movement of the tendon past the bone?

Possible Answers:

Long bones

Short bones

Irregular bones

Sesamoid bones

Flat bones

Correct answer:

Sesamoid bones

Explanation:

Sesamoid bones form inside tendons and/or muscles. They help ease the movement of a tendon past the bone, prevent deformation when the tendon is taut, and can also increase the force the tendon can pull by acting like a pulley. Examples of sesamoid bones are the patella in the knee and the sesamoid bones of the foot.

Example Question #262 : Gross Anatomy

The shaft of a long bone (such as the femur) is called the __________.

Possible Answers:

Metaphysis

medulla

diaphysis

epiphysis

periosteum

Correct answer:

diaphysis

Explanation:

Long bones have a body that is longer than it is wide (such as the femur, humerus, and phalanges). It consist of a tubular shaft (diaphysis) with growth plates (epiphyses) at either end. The shaft is composed of a hard outer surface of compact bone with a spongy interior (cancellous bone) that contains bone marrow. 

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