Human Anatomy and Physiology : Gross Anatomy

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #121 : Bones

Arrange the following bones in order from most distal to most proximal: carpals, humerus, metacarpals, phalanges, and radius (they appear here in alphabetical order).

Possible Answers:

carpals, metacarpals, humerus, radius, phalanges

phalanges, carpals, metacarpals, radius, humerus

phalanges, humerus, metacarpals, radius, carpals

phalanges, metacarpals, carpals, radius, humerus

Correct answer:

phalanges, metacarpals, carpals, radius, humerus

Explanation:

Phalanges, the digits of the hand, are the most distal bones of the upper limb. They articulate with the metacarpals, the bones of the hand, which in turn articulate with one of two rows of carpals, the bones of the wrist. Next is the radius, the bone of the lateral side of the forearm, which articulates with the humerus, the bone of the upper arm, which articulates proximally with the scapula and distally with the radius and ulna.

Example Question #47 : Identifying Bones Of The Upper Extremities

The head of the humerus articulates proximally with which of the following?

Possible Answers:

ulna

radius

carpals

scapula

Correct answer:

scapula

Explanation:

The head of the humerus articulates proximally with the scapula at the glenoid fossa. It articulates distally with the radius and ulna. The carpals are the bones of the wrist; they do not articulate with the humerus.

Example Question #48 : Identifying Bones Of The Upper Extremities

Which bones make up the wrist?

Possible Answers:

carpals

metatarsals

metacarpals

tarsals

Correct answer:

carpals

Explanation:

The carpals make up the wrist. The metacarpals make up the body of the hand. The tarsals and metatarsals make up the ankle and the body of the foot, respectively. 

Example Question #49 : Identifying Bones Of The Upper Extremities

Which bones make up the hand?

Possible Answers:

carpals

metatarsals

tarsals

metacarpals

Correct answer:

metacarpals

Explanation:

The metacarpals make up the body of the hand. The carpals make up the wrist. The tarsals and metatarsals make up the ankle and the body of the foot, respectively. 

Example Question #1 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

The crista galli is a part of which skull bone?

Possible Answers:

Sphenoid bone

Frontal bone

Temporal bone

Ethmoid bone

Correct answer:

Ethmoid bone

Explanation:

The crista galli is the part of the ethmoid bone that is a point of attachment for the meninges of the brain. The crista galli is the most superior point on the ethmoid.

Example Question #2 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

Which of the following bones does not contain a sinus?

Possible Answers:

Frontal bone

Temporal bone

Sphenoid bone

Maxillary bone

Correct answer:

Temporal bone

Explanation:

There are four paranasal sinuses in the head: the frontal, maxillary, sphenoid, and ethmoid sinuses. They function in lightening the skull, and creating mucous for the nasal cavity. The temporal bone does not contain a sinus.

Example Question #2 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

Which facial bone is responsible for the formation of the lateral wall of the orbitals?

Possible Answers:

Palatine bones

Nasal bones

Maxillary bones

Lacrimal bones

Zygomatic bones

Correct answer:

Zygomatic bones

Explanation:

While many bones are responsible for the formation of the orbit, it is the zygomatic bones that make up the lateral portion of the orbitals. You can remember this by keeping in mind that the zygomatic bones are also called the cheek bones, and are on the lateral sides of your face.

The frontal bone forms the superior region of the orbital, and the lacrimal bone forms the medial border. The maxillary and zygomatic bones each form part of the inferior border, with the zygomatic bone extending into the lateral border. The sphenoid and ethmoid bones both form the posterior wall, with the sphenoid region lateral to the ethmoid region.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

Where are the parietal bones of the skull located?

Possible Answers:

On the sides and top of the head

On the back of the head

On the forehead

On the top of the head

On the front of the head

Correct answer:

On the sides and top of the head

Explanation:

The parietal bones of the skull reside over the parietal lobes of the brain. The parietal lobe is just on top of the occipital lobe and is responsible for various sensory information processing. The parietal bones of the skull lie on either side of the head, slightly posterior to the ear area, and meet on top of the head.

Example Question #3 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

The coronal suture is located at the joining of which bones in the skull?

Possible Answers:

Frontal and occipital bones

Parietal and frontal bones

Parietal and temporal bones

Parietal and occipital bones 

Frontal and temporal bones

Correct answer:

Parietal and frontal bones

Explanation:

The coronal suture is the area at the "top" of the skull where the parietal bones and the frontal bones meet, and is not normally closed at birth (thus, the traditional "soft spot" near the exact top of a newborn's head).

Remember that the coronal plane traverses the body from left to right, separating the anterior and posterior dimensions. As such, the coronal suture can be expected to fall within this plane.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

Containing not only the floors and sides of the orbits, but also the saddle-shaped mass housing the pituitary gland, this bone helps form the inferior cranial base, the septum of the nose, and the top of the nasal cavity.

Possible Answers:

Maxilla

Vomer

Zygomatic bone

Sphenoid bone

Ethmoid bone

Correct answer:

Sphenoid bone

Explanation:

The sphenoid bone, located posterior and inferior to the face, supports most of the immovable bones of the face and is thus critical to the development of facial structure. The bone also contains two "wing" projections that curve towards the sides of the skull, which may help to stabilize the cranium during lateral impacts, and the sella turcica, a concave space that houses the pituitary gland.

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