Human Anatomy and Physiology : Gross Anatomy

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Bones

Which two bones make up the lower leg, commonly known as the shin?

Possible Answers:

Tibia and fibula

Patella and tibia

Femur and tibia

Radius and ulna

Fibia and tibula

Correct answer:

Tibia and fibula

Explanation:

The tibia and fibula are the two main lower leg bones, and make up the "shin". The femur is the thigh bone, located proximal to the lower leg. The patella is commonly known as the "knee cap" and does not make up the bones of the lower leg in this question. Be careful not to make the common spelling errors: tibula and fibia are not real structures.

Example Question #72 : Bones

All of these muscles flex the leg at the knee joint and extend the thigh at the hip joint except __________

Possible Answers:

semitendinosus muscle

semimembranosus muscle

hamstring muscles

tensor fasciae latae muscle

biceps femoris muscle

Correct answer:

tensor fasciae latae muscle

Explanation:

The "hamstring" muscles consist of the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus all of which are flexors of the leg at the knee joint and extensors of the thigh at the hip joint. The tensor fasciae latae muscle is involved in stabilizing the pelvic girdle while walking or running.

Example Question #76 : Bones

The __________ are the seven bones that make up the ankle.

Possible Answers:

tarsals

metacarpals

metatarsals

carpals

Correct answer:

tarsals

Explanation:

The tarsals are the seven bones that make up the ankle. The metatarsals are analogous to the metacarpals of the hand and make up the body of the foot. The carpals are the eight wrist bones. The metacarpals make up the body of the hand.

Example Question #77 : Bones

The __________ make up the body of the foot.

Possible Answers:

tarsals

carpals

metatarsals

metacarpals

Correct answer:

metatarsals

Explanation:

The metatarsals are analogous to the metacarpals of the hand and make up the body of the foot. The tarsals are the seven bones that make up the ankle. The carpals and metacarpals make up the wrist and body of the hand, respectively.

Example Question #78 : Bones

The __________ are the bones of the fingers and toes.

Possible Answers:

tarsals

carpals

metatarsals

phalanges

Correct answer:

phalanges

Explanation:

The phalanges are the bones of the fingers and toes. The carpals make up the wrist. The tarsals and metatarsals make up the ankle and the body of the foot, respectively.

Example Question #73 : Bones

Which of the following is not found on the scapula?

Possible Answers:

Acromial process

Coronoid process

Glenoid fossa

Coracoid process

Supraspinous fossa

Correct answer:

Coronoid process

Explanation:

The scapula is located posterior to the ribs and is used in the shoulder joint to house the head of the humerus and the acromion of the clavicle.

The acromion of the clavicle interfaces with the acromion process, while the head of the humerus interfaces with the glenoid fossa. The coracoacromial ligament runs between the acromion process and coracoid process and serves to stabilize and protect the muscles of the shoulder. Damage to this ligament results in a separated shoulder. The supraspinous fossa is located on the posterior of the scapula and serves as the point of origin for the supraspinatus muscle.

The coronoid process is found on the ulna and interfaces with the coronoid fossa of the humerus in the elbow. Damage or dislocation of the elbow can cause the coronoid process to fracture.

Example Question #74 : Bones

Which of the following is located adjacent to the hamate?

Possible Answers:

Scaphoid

Cuboid

Capitate

First metacarpal

Navicular

Correct answer:

Capitate

Explanation:

The hamate is one of the carpals, located in the wrist. There are eight carpal bones, roughly organized into two rows. The triquetral, lunate, and scaphoid are aligned in a row from medial to lateral at the interface of the carpals with the ulna and radius. The pisiform is located anterior to the triquetral and occupies a slightly different plane than the other carpals. Distal to the row formed by the triquetral, lunate, and scaphoid are the remaining carpals: the hamate, capitate, trapezoid, and trapezium (ordered medial to lateral).

The cuboid and navicular are tarsal bones, located in the ankle and foot.

Example Question #281 : Gross Anatomy

What is the name of the bone in the forearm medial to the body?

Possible Answers:

Radius

Humerus

Ulna

Clavicle

Correct answer:

Ulna

Explanation:

The forearm has two bones: the radius and the ulna. In order to determine which forearm bone is medial to the body, we need to remember standard anatomical position. In this position, the palms face outward, meaning the pinky is the closest finger to the body. The ulna is on the side of the pinky, while the radius is on the side of the thumb. As a result, the ulna is the forearm bone medial to the body.

The humerus is located proximal to the radius and ulna and forms the shoulder joint with the scapula. The clavicle is superior to the humerus and articulates with the scapula above the shoulder.

Example Question #282 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following is a common place for fracture of the humerus?

 

Possible Answers:

Spiral groove

Anatomic neck

Head

Surgical neck

Correct answer:

Surgical neck

Explanation:

The humerus articulates with the scapula, making the glenohumeral joint at the head, and the radius and ulna, making the elbow joint at the trochlea. The anatomic neck is the area immediately below the head that functions as attachment for the joint capsule of the glenohumeral joint. The spiral groove houses the radial nerve and serves as an attachment site for the lateral and medial head of the biceps brachii.

The surgical neck is located between the anatomical neck and shaft of the humerus, marking a narrower region of the bone. The surgical neck is the most common site of fracture on the humerus. The axillary nerve and the posterior humeral circumflex artery also course through this region and can be damaged in the case of injury.

 

Example Question #283 : Gross Anatomy

There are __________ carpal bones in the wrist and hand.

Possible Answers:

five

ten

nine

eight

Correct answer:

eight

Explanation:

The carpal bones are found arranged in two layers of four in the hand. The first row, lateral to medial, is made of the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform. The distal row, from lateral to medial, is made of the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate. A fracture of the scaphoid during a fall on an outstretched hand can damage the radial artery. A fracture of the hamate can cause damage to the ulnar nerve and artery.

The carpal bones articulate with the radius bone in the forearm to create the wrist; the ulna has no contact with the carpal bones in the hand.  

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors