Human Anatomy and Physiology : Gross Anatomy

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #207 : Organs

At what dermatomal level is the nipple innervated?

Possible Answers:

T4

T2

T10

T12

T6

Correct answer:

T4

Explanation:

The correct answer is T4. The surface of the skin is divided into specific areas called dermatomes, which are derived from the cells of a somite. As a fetus the somite divides into 3 regions: (1) myotome, which forms  skeletal muscle; (2) dermatome, which forms the connective tissues, including the dermis; and (3) sclerotome, which gives rise to the vertebrae. A dermatome is an area of skin in which sensory nerves derive from a single spinal nerve root. For the nipple this area is T4. 

Example Question #208 : Organs

At what dermatomal level is the xiphoid process innervated?

Possible Answers:

T6

T12

T10

T4

T1

Correct answer:

T6

Explanation:

The correct answer is T6. The surface of the skin is divided into specific areas called dermatomes, which are derived from the cells of a somite. As a fetus the somite divides into 3 regions: (1) myotome, which forms  skeletal muscle; (2) dermatome, which forms the connective tissues, including the dermis; and (3) sclerotome, which gives rise to the vertebrae. A dermatome is an area of skin in which sensory nerves derive from a single spinal nerve root. For the xiphoid process this area is T6. 

Example Question #209 : Organs

At what dermatomal level is the umbilicus innervated?

Possible Answers:

T10

T4

T6

T12

T2

Correct answer:

T10

Explanation:

The correct answer is T10. The surface of the skin is divided into specific areas called dermatomes, which are derived from the cells of a somite. As a fetus the somite divides into 3 regions: (1) myotome, which forms  skeletal muscle; (2) dermatome, which forms the connective tissues, including the dermis; and (3) sclerotome, which gives rise to the vertebrae. A dermatome is an area of skin in which sensory nerves derive from a single spinal nerve root. For the umbilicus this area is T10.

Example Question #111 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

What cranial nerve passes through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone?

Possible Answers:

Cranial nerve II

Optic nerve

Olfactory nerve

Cranial nerve V

Correct answer:

Olfactory nerve

Explanation:

The olfactory nerve (cranial nerve I) passes through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone. As its name suggests, it provides us with our sense of smell. Cranial nerve II is synonymous with the optic nerve, and does not pass through the cribriform plate, but rather, the optic canal of the sphenoid bone. Cranial nerve V is the trigeminal nerve, and passes through multiple openings in the skull, but the cribriform plate is not one of them.

Example Question #112 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which of the following regarding the spinal cord, is false?

Possible Answers:

The conus medullaris marks the end of the spinal cord

The lumbosacral plexus emerges around the lumbar enlargement

The brachial plexus emerges around the cervical enlargement

The cauda equina gives rise to the cervical nerve roots

Correct answer:

The cauda equina gives rise to the cervical nerve roots

Explanation:

The cervical and lumbar enlargements give rise to the nerve roots of the brachial and lumbosacral plexuses, respectively. Additionally, the conus medullaris marks the end of the spinal cord. However, the cauda equina does not give rise to the cervical nerve roots. It is a collection of lumbosacral nerve roots arising from the conus medullaris.

Example Question #686 : Gross Anatomy

Cutting the femoral nerve would most seriously affect which action?

Possible Answers:

Hip extension

Knee extension

Hip adduction

Knee flexion

Correct answer:

Hip extension

Explanation:

The femoral nerve supplies the anterior compartment of the thigh (muscles that extend the knee). If the femoral nerve was injured there would be an inability to extend the knee.

The femoral nerve also provides sensation to the front and medial side of the thigh, shin, and arch of the foot.

Example Question #113 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which of the following nerves, either directly or indirectly, does not branch from the sciatic nerve?

Possible Answers:

Inferior gluteal nerve

Medial plantar nerve

Common fibular nerve

Tibial nerve

Correct answer:

Inferior gluteal nerve

Explanation:

The sciatic nerve is comprised of the common fibular and tibial portions, which give rise to nerves of the same name. Although not a direct branch of the sciatic nerve, the medial plantar nerve comes from the tibial nerve, which can be traced back to the tibial portion of the sciatic nerve. However, the inferior gluteal nerve does not arise from any part of the sciatic nerve. 

Example Question #114 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which of the following arteries does not branch off the axillary artery?

Possible Answers:

Profunda brachii artery

Thoracoacromial artery

Posterior circumflex humeral artery

Anterior circumflex humeral artery

Correct answer:

Profunda brachii artery

Explanation:

The anterior circumflex humeral artery branches from the axillary artery, and primarily supplies blood to the head of the humerus. The posterior circumflex humeral artery also arises from the axillary artery, and supplies blood to the teres minor and deltoid muscles, among others. The thoracoacromial artery branches off the axillary artery as well, supplying the deltoid, subclavius, and other muscles. The profunda brachii does not branch off the axillary artery, but the brachial artery.

Example Question #115 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which of the following arteries provides the main blood supply to the lateral compartment of the leg?

Possible Answers:

Poplliteal

Great saphenous

Anterior tibial

Fibular

Profunda femoris

Correct answer:

Fibular

Explanation:

The lateral compartment of the leg contains the fibularis longus and fibularis brevis. The muscles of the lateral compartment of the leg are responsible for eversion of the foot and weak plantarflexion of the ankle. The fibularis longus and fibularis brevis are innervated by the superficial fibular nerve (nerve roots L5, S1, S2). The arterial supply consists of perforating branches of the posterior tibial artery and the fibular artery. The great saphenous vein drains, not supplies various compartments of the leg.

Example Question #116 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which of the following arteries provides the main blood supply to the anterior compartment of the thigh?

Possible Answers:

Popliteal

Superior gluteal

Femoral

Profunda femoris 

Inferior gluteal

Correct answer:

Femoral

Explanation:

The anterior compartment of the thigh is a fascial compartment that contains groups of muscles with their blood supply and nerves. The anterior compartment contains the sartorius muscle and the quadriceps muscles (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis). The iliopsoas is sometimes considered a component of the anterior compartment of the thigh. The function of the muscles of the anterior compartment is to extend the knee and flex the hip. The anterior compartment is innervated by the femoral nerve (however, the iliopsoas is not innervated by the femoral nerve and is innervated by ventral rami of L1-L3). The blood supply of the anterior compartment is the femoral artery. The femoral artery supplies blood to the anterior compartment and is the largest blood vessel of the lower limb. The gluteal arteries supply the posterior compartment of the lower limb.

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