Human Anatomy and Physiology : Identifying Nerves and Blood Vessels

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #131 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

How many pairs of cranial nerves do we have?

Possible Answers:

12

31

10

16

Correct answer:

12

Explanation:

We have 12 pairs of cranial nerves: the olfactory nerve, optic nerve, oculomotor nerve, trochlear nerve, trigeminal nerve, abducens nerve, facial nerve, vestibulocochlear nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, vagus nerve, accessory nerve, and hypoglossal nerve. A common mnemonic to remember these is: "On old Olympus' towering top a Fin and German viewed some hops." We have 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

Example Question #132 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

While examining a patient, a physician finds a leakage of blood from the blood vessel that normally carries oxygen-rich blood. Which vessel would most likely be damaged?

Possible Answers:

Portal vein

Superior vena cava

Pulmonary veins

Pulmonary arteries

Correct answer:

Pulmonary veins

Explanation:

This question sounds complicated, but the key lies in the first sentence: we are to identify the vessel that normally carries oxygen-rich blood. The pulmonary veins fit this description; they return oxygen-rich blood from the lungs back to the heart. In contrast, the pulmonary arteries carry oxygenated-poor blood from the heart to the lungs (to be oxygenated). The portal vein carries oxygenated-poor blood with nutrients to the liver from the intestine. Lastly, the superior vena cava carries oxygenated-poor blood to the right atrium of the heart.

Example Question #133 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

What types of nerve fibers are found in the ventral roots of spinal nerves?

Possible Answers:

Visceral efferent (autonomic) axons only

Visceral efferent (autonomic) and somatic efferent axons

Somatic afferent axons serving structures derived from the ventral body wall

Somatic efferent axons only

Correct answer:

Visceral efferent (autonomic) and somatic efferent axons

Explanation:

Visceral efferent (autonomic) and somatic efferent axons are found in the ventral roots of spinal nerves. The ventral root is the efferent motor root of a spinal nerve, distally it joins with the dorsal root to form a mixed spinal nerve, whose postertior branch innervates skin and muscles of the back, while the anterior branch supplies skin and muscles of the front and sides of the trunk and limbs.

Example Question #134 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

What spinal nerve passes through the intervertebral foramen between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae?

Possible Answers:

C7

C4

C5

C6

Correct answer:

C6

Explanation:

The C6 spinal nerve passes through the intervertebral foramen between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae. There are eight cervical spinal nerves that exit above their associated vertebrae. In this case C6 exits between the vertebrae C5 and C6 (above C6 vertebrae). This is unique in comparison to the thoracic and lumbar spine where the nerves exit below their associated vertebrae. 

Example Question #135 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

The deep brachial artery travels with which nerve, in the arm?

Possible Answers:

Anterior interosseous branch of median nerve

Ulnar nerve

Radial nerve

Recurrent branch of branch of median nerve

Correct answer:

Radial nerve

Explanation:

The deep brachial artery travels with the radial nerve, around the spiral/radial groove of the humerus. The anterior interosseous artery travels with the anterior interosseous branch of the median nerve, not the radial nerve, and passes through the dorsal surface of the interosseous membrane. The recurrent branch of the median nerve branches off the median nerve in the hand, not in the arm. The ulnar artery travels with the ulnar nerve at various points in its pathway, not the deep brachial artery.

Example Question #136 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which of the following nerves that branch off the cervical plexus, do not receive C2 segmental innervation?

Possible Answers:

Greater auricular nerve

Transverse cervical nerve

Supraclavicular nerves

Lesser occipital nerve

Correct answer:

Supraclavicular nerves

Explanation:

Although all of these nerves arise from the cervical plexus, and supply sensation to the head and neck, the supraclavicular nerves do not receive C2 segmental innervation. They receive C3, C4 segmental innervation. Anteriorly, they supply sensation to the skin superolateral to the sternum, and posteriorly to the skin over the supraspinous fossa, and the adjacent area.

Example Question #137 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which of the following nerves is not associated with the rotator cuff?

Possible Answers:

Upper subscapular nerve

Thoracodorsal nerve

Suprascapular nerve

Lower subscapular nerve

Correct answer:

Thoracodorsal nerve

Explanation:

The thoracodorsal nerve innervates the latissimus dorsi, which is not one of the rotator cuff muscles. The suprascapular nerve innervates the supra- and infraspinatus muscles, the upper and lower subscapular nerves innervate the subscapularis, and the axillary nerve innervates the teres minor. These muscles make up the rotator cuff. Accordingly, the nerves that innervate them are associated with the rotator cuff.

Example Question #138 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which of the following is not a branch of the radial nerve?

Possible Answers:

Inferior lateral brachial cutaneous nerve

Posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerve

Lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve

Posterior interosseous nerve

Correct answer:

Lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve

Explanation:

The lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve supplies sensation to the lateral forearm (both the palmar-lateral and dorsolateral surfaces), and stems from the musculocutaneous nerve, not the radial nerve. The inferior lateral brachial and posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerves are sensory branches of the radial nerve and supply sensation to parts of the dorsal arm and forearm, respectively. The posterior interosseous nerve is a motor branch of the radial nerve that innervates the finger extensors that cross the wrist (e.g. extensor digitorum).

Example Question #139 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

What part of the action potential results in the depolarization of the cell?

Possible Answers:

Closing of voltage-gated sodium channels

Closing of voltage-gated potassium channels

Opening of voltage-gated sodium channels

Opening of voltage-gated potassium channels

Correct answer:

Opening of voltage-gated sodium channels

Explanation:

When at rest, the neuron initially has a negative membrane potential. At the beginning of an action potential, voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to enter the cell. This causes the cell to become positively charged compared to the outside of the cell. This process is called depolarization.

After depolarization occurs, the sodium channels close, initiating the absolute refractory period. Voltage-gated potassium channels then open and potassium ions exit the cell. This results in hyperpolarization and the relative refractory period. The potassium channels then close and the sodium-potassium pump returns the cell to its resting potential by removing sodium and collecting potassium.

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