Human Anatomy and Physiology : Gross Anatomy

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #731 : Gross Anatomy

Where are sebaceous glands in the skin located?

Possible Answers:

Extradermis

Dermis

Hypodermis

Epidermis

Correct answer:

Dermis

Explanation:

Sebaceous glands are found within the dermis and produce sebum, an oily secretion that moisturizes skin and hair. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and does not contain any glands, rather it consists of stratified epithelium and lacks a blood supply. The hypodermis is composed of adipose tissue, fibroblasts, and contains many blood vessels and nerves. There is no such thing as the extradermis.

Example Question #732 : Gross Anatomy

What are the three major body cavities?

Possible Answers:

Cranial, lumbar, cervical

Head, thoracic, cervical

Head, chest, belly

Cranial, thoracic, abdominopelvic

Correct answer:

Cranial, thoracic, abdominopelvic

Explanation:

The body is divided into the three cavities: cranial (commonly referred to as the skill, which contains the central nervous system), the thoracic (also known as the thorax, which contains all structures below the neck and above the diaphragm), and the abdominopelvic (sometimes may be divided into abdominal and pelvic, which contains the organs below the diaphragm, but above the lower limbs). Typically, cervical region refers to the neck or the "neck" of the cervix in females. The lumbar region refers to the five vertebrae lower back.

Example Question #255 : Organs

What is the lunula?

Possible Answers:

The innermost layer of skin

The tissue inside the uterus

The grooves in the gyri

The white crescent shaped part of the fingernail

Correct answer:

The white crescent shaped part of the fingernail

Explanation:

The lunula is the white crescent shaped part of the fingernail. Sulci are grooves in gyri. The dermis is the innermost layer of skin. Finally, the tissue within the uterus is the endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium.

Example Question #21 : Identifying Other Anatomical Structures

What does the grey matter of the spinal cord contain?

Possible Answers:

Erythrocytes

The cell bodies of neurons

The axons of neurons

Sulci

Correct answer:

The cell bodies of neurons

Explanation:

The grey matter of the spinal cord contains the cell bodies of neurons. The white matter is composed of the axons of neurons. The axons of neurons in the spinal cord appear white because of the myelin sheath that is added by oligodendrocytes, which allows for faster conduction of action potentials via saltatory conduction. Erythrocytes are red blood cells and are not found in the spinal cord. Sulci are grooves between the gyri in the cerebrum. 

Example Question #22 : Identifying Other Anatomical Structures

What is the cochlea?

Possible Answers:

A fluid-filled structure that converts sound waves into nerve signals

A fluid-filled structure that detects head movement and position

An air-filled cavity which is crossed by the ossicles

A structure that detects sound waves, which cause the structure to vibrate

Correct answer:

A fluid-filled structure that converts sound waves into nerve signals

Explanation:

The cochlea is a fluid-filled structure that converts sound waves to nerve signals that can be sent to the brain. The eardrum is a structure that detects sound waves, which cause it to vibrate. The middle ear is the air filled cavity that is crossed by the ossicles. The semicircular canals are fluid filled structures that detect head movement and position.

Example Question #23 : Identifying Other Anatomical Structures

What is the ampulla of the ear?

Possible Answers:

A structure that is coiled like a snail's shell and contains structures that can convert sound waves to nerve signals

An ossicle

A part of the semicircular duct that contains delicate structures that detect movement, particularly rotation

Structure that carries info about the head position and movement to the brain

Correct answer:

A part of the semicircular duct that contains delicate structures that detect movement, particularly rotation

Explanation:

The ampulla is a part of the semicircular duct that contains delicate structures that detect movement, particularly rotation. The cochlear duct is a structure that is coiled like a snail's shell and contains structures that can convert sound waves to nerve signals. The saccule is a structure that carries info about the head position and movement to the brain. Ossicles are the small bones in the ear canal that transmit and amplify vibrations of the eardrum.

Example Question #24 : Identifying Other Anatomical Structures

Order the ossicles from distal to medial.

Possible Answers:

Incus, stapes, malleus

Stirrup, hammer, anvil

Malleus, incus, stapes

Stapes, incus, malleus

Correct answer:

Malleus, incus, stapes

Explanation:

The correct order of the ossicles from most distal to most proximal is malleus, incus, stapes. The malleus is also known as the hammer. The incus is also known as the anvil. The stapes is also known as the stirrup.

Example Question #24 : Identifying Other Anatomical Structures

What is the alar cartilage?

Possible Answers:

Tissue that provides support around the nostrils

Nasal cartilage the gives shape and flexibility around the nostrils

Structure that gives support and shape near the root of the nose

Nasal cartilage that divides the nasal cavity in half

Correct answer:

Nasal cartilage the gives shape and flexibility around the nostrils

Explanation:

The alar cartilage is the cartilage that gives shape and flexibility around the nostrils. The septal nasal is the cartilage that divides the nasal cavity in half. Fibrofatty tissue provides support around the nostrils. The nasal bones give support and shape near the root of the nose. 

Example Question #264 : Organs

What is another name for the eardrum?

Possible Answers:

Ossicles

Semicircular canals

Temporal bone

Tympanic membrane

Correct answer:

Tympanic membrane

Explanation:

The other name for the eardrum is the tympanic membrane. The temporal bone is a bone of the skull. The ossicles are the three tiny bones that transmit and amplify the movements of the inner ear. The semicircular canals are fluid-filled structures that detect head movements and position.

Example Question #25 : Identifying Other Anatomical Structures

Which cells within the epidermis is responsible for skin pigmentation?

Possible Answers:

Langerhans' cells

Merkel's cells

Melanocytes

Keratinocytes

Correct answer:

Melanocytes

Explanation:

The skin consists of two main layers, the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer). The epidermis layer has several layers (strata) that contain four cell or five cell types, in thin and thick skin, respectively. Keratinocytes produce keratin, a protein that gives strength and flexibility to the skin and waterproofs the skin surface. Melanocytes produce melanin, the dark pigment that gives skin color and absorbs ultraviolet radiation to avoid damage to the DNA. Merkel's cells are involved in touch reception. Langerhans' cells help the immune system by processing foreign bodies.

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