Human Anatomy and Physiology : Gross Anatomy

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #153 : Bones

A spot on an infant's skull is called __________.

Possible Answers:

a fontanelle

the foramen magnum

the capitate

sesamoid bones

temporal bones

Correct answer:

a fontanelle

Explanation:

A fontanelle (or fontanel) is a normal feature of the infant skull. It comprises of soft membranous gaps (sutures) between the cranial bones that make up the infant's skull. These gaps allow for rapid stretching and growth as the developing brain grows faster than the surrounding bone can. There are 4 fontanels: the posterior, anterior, sphenoidal, mastoid. They close at different rates, however they are all closed by approximately 18-20 months of age. 

Example Question #154 : Bones

The bone at the back of the skull is called the __________.

Possible Answers:

capitate

occipital bone

parietal bone

temporal bone

sesamoid bone

Correct answer:

occipital bone

Explanation:

The human skull consists of the following bones: frontal, occipital, sphenoid, ethmoid, and paired parietal and temporal bones. The parietal and temporal bones are paired, while the others are not. The frontal bone is in the front of the skull, the occipital is in the back, the parietal and temporal bones are on the left and right sides with the parietal bones superior to the temporal bones.  

Example Question #155 : Bones

Which of these is not a hole in the skull?

Possible Answers:

Jugular foramen

None of these

Foramen magnum

Foramen spinosum

Greater sciatic foramen

Correct answer:

Greater sciatic foramen

Explanation:

All of these are "holes" or foramina (plural of foramen) of the skull except the greater sciatic foramen which is located in the pelvis. Foramina allow for the passage of veins, nerves, and even muscles through bones. However, the hip is one of the few areas a muscle passes through a bone. The greater sciatic foramen allows for the passage of the piriformis muscle which takes up most of foramen. There are also several nerves such as the sciatic nerve and veins such as the gluteal vein.

Example Question #156 : Bones

Which of the following bones is responsible for forming the back (and some parts of the base) of the skull?

Possible Answers:

Occipital bone

Parietal bone

None of these

Frontal bone

Temporal bone

Correct answer:

Occipital bone

Explanation:

The occipital bone is the bone responsible for forming the back of the skull and parts of the base of the skull. The other bones listed form other parts of the skull.

Example Question #157 : Bones

What is the name of the region in the skull where the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones meet?

Possible Answers:

Inion

Bregma

Pterion

Glabella

Fabella

Correct answer:

Pterion

Explanation:

The pterion is the region where these four bones meet. The glabella refers to the part of the frontal bone between the superciliary arches. The bregma is where the coronal and sagittal sutures intersect. The fabella is a sesamoid bone found in the tendon of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius, whose presence is variable. The inion is the most prominent part of the external occipital protuberance

Example Question #158 : Bones

The spinal cord leaves the skull base at what opening?

Possible Answers:

Obturator foramen

Capitate

Sesamoid opening

Fontanelle 

Foramen magnum

Correct answer:

Foramen magnum

Explanation:

The foramen magnum is a large opening in the occipital bone of the human skull. It is one of several foramina (oval or circular openings) in the skull. The spinal cord, an extension of the medulla, passes through the foramen magnum as it exits the cranial vault. Additionally, vertebral arteries, the anterior and posterior spinal arteries, the spinal component of the accessory nerve, and the alar ligaments also pass through the foramen magnum. Fontanelles are soft spots between the skull bones, which will harden as the infant ages. The capitate is the largest of the eight carpal bones of the wrist. A sesamoid bone is one that is embedded within a tendon or muscle. The obturator foramen is the large hole in the pelvis through which nerves, arteries, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels pass.

Example Question #159 : Bones

Which of the following forms the lower jaw and holds the lower teeth in place?

Possible Answers:

Sphenoid bone

Maxilla

Manubrium

Zygomatic bone

Mandible

Correct answer:

Mandible

Explanation:

The mandible is the lowest bone in the face in humans, forming the lower jaw and holding the lower teeth in place. It is commonly known as the jawbone. The manubrium is the superiormost bone in the sternum. The maxilla holds the upper teeth in place.

Example Question #161 : Bones

Which of the following bones of the human cranium is paired, rather than single?

Possible Answers:

Ethmoid bone

Sphenoid bone

Mandible

Lacrimal bone

Frontal bone

Correct answer:

Lacrimal bone

Explanation:

The lacrimal bone is a small, paired bone situated at the front part of the medial wall of the orbit, assisting with tear translocation. The frontal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones and the mandible are all single bones.

Example Question #32 : Identifying Bones Of The Skull

Which of the following is not a bone of the human cranium?

Possible Answers:

Vomer bone

Ethmoid bone

Sphenoid bone

Os coxa

Palatine bone

Correct answer:

Os coxa

Explanation:

The os coxa, commonly referred to as the hip bone, is not a bone of the human cranium. The palatine, vomer, and ethmoid bone, as well as the sphenoid, all constitute parts of the human cranium.

Example Question #162 : Bones

Which of the following bones of the human cranium form, when joined together, the sides and roof of the cranium?

Possible Answers:

Occipital bones

Temporal bones

Zygomatic bones

Parietal bones

Frontal bones

Correct answer:

Parietal bones

Explanation:

When joined together, the parietal bones form the sides and roof of the cranium. There is only one frontal bone and one occipital bone. The zygomatic bones (cheekbones) are on the anterior aspect of the skull.

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