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 #11 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

During an anterior approach to hip replacement, a resident accidentally ligates the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Where would you expect the patient to have sensory deficits upon waking?

Possible Answers:

Anterior leg

Groin area

Plantar surface of foot

Medial leg

Lateral thigh

Correct answer:

Lateral thigh

Explanation:

The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve supplies the lateral thigh and is highly visible during the anterior approach to the hip as it lies between the sartorius and the tensor fasciae latae. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is part of the lumbar plexus and arises from spinal root L2.

The medial leg is supplied by the saphenous nerve, which arises from the femoral nerve. The groin area is supplied by the ilioinguinal nerve, arising from L1. The anterior leg is innervated by the common peroneal and superficial peroneal nerves, arising from the sciatic nerve. The plantar surface of the foot is innervated by the tibial nerve, which courses through the posterior leg and also arises from the sciatic nerve.

Example Question #111 : Organs

Which of the following is not a branch of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII)?

Possible Answers:

Mandibular

Buccal

Zygomatic

Maxillary

Cervical

Correct answer:

Maxillary

Explanation:

Maxillary is a branch of the trigeminal nerve (V), and not of the facial nerve (VII).

The branches of the facial nerve, from superior to inferior, are: temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular, and cervical.

Example Question #12 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Damage to which of the following nerves would diminish the function of the latissimus dorsi muscle and decrease the ability of the body to do pull-ups?

Possible Answers:

Thoracodorsal nerve

Accessory nerve

Dorsal scapular nerve

Intercostal nerves

Correct answer:

Thoracodorsal nerve

Explanation:

The latissimus dorsi muscle is innervated by the thoracodorsal nerve and functions to extend, adduct, and medially rotate the humerus. Damage to the thoracodorsal nerve would result in diminished capacity to pull the body up, such as during climbing or doing pull-ups.

The dorsal scapular nerve innervates the rhomboid and levator scapulae muscles. The accessory nerve innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius. The intercostal nerves innervate the thoracic cavity and some upper extremity regions.

Example Question #13 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which nerve innervates the pectoralis major muscle?

Possible Answers:

Long thoracic nerve

Superior and inferior pectoral nerves

Medial and lateral pectoral nerves

Medial pectoral nerve only

Correct answer:

Medial and lateral pectoral nerves

Explanation:

The pectoralis major is innervated by both the medial and lateral pectoral nerves. In contrast, the pectoralis minor is only innervated by the medial pectoral nerve. 

The long thoracic nerve innervates the serratus anterior muscle. The superior and inferior pectoral nerves are false answer choices and do not refer to anatomical structures.

Example Question #14 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

The biceps brachii muscle is innervated by which nerve?

Possible Answers:

Radial nerve

Musculocutaneous nerve

Median nerve

Axillary nerve

Correct answer:

Musculocutaneous nerve

Explanation:

The biceps brachii is innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve. The muscle is located anterior to the humerus and functions as a primary flexor of the forearm at the elbow.

The median nerve innervates muscles of the anterior compartment of the forearm, the muscles of the thenar eminence in the hand, and the first and second lumbricals of the hand. The median nerve runs through the carpal tunnel and, when compressed, is responsible for the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The radial nerve innervates the muscles of the posterior compartment of the arm and forearm. The axillary nerve innervates the deltoid, teres minor, and triceps brachii.

Example Question #15 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

You are sitting in the doctor's office and the nurse comes in to measure your blood pressure. She places the blood pressure cuff around your right arm below the shoulder, but above the elbow. Which artery is being compressed when she inflates the cuff?

Possible Answers:

Ulnar artery

Axillary artery

Radial artery

Brachial artery

Correct answer:

Brachial artery

Explanation:

The brachial artery is the major blood vessel of the upper arm, derived from the axillary artery after it passes the glenohumeral joint. After passing the elbow joint, the brachial artery bisects into the radial and ulnar arteries, which supply blood to the forearm. Inflating the blood pressure cuff around the upper arm compresses the brachial artery.

Example Question #16 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which nerve innervates the extensor muscles of the arm and forearm?

Possible Answers:

Radial nerve

Musculocutaneous nerve

Median nerve

Axillary nerve

Correct answer:

Radial nerve

Explanation:

The radial nerve innervates the muscles in the posterior compartment of the arm and the posterior compartment of the forearm, responsible for extension of the arm and forearm. These include the medial and lateral heads of the triceps brachii, brachioradialis, supinator, and the extensor muscles of the forearm (extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor carpi ulnaris, extensor digitorum, and others).

The musculocutaneous nerve supplies the anterior compartment of the forearm, innervating the coracobrachialis, the biceps brachii, and the brachialis muscles. The median nerve innervates muscles of the anterior compartment of the forearm, the muscles of the thenar eminence in the hand, and the first and second lumbricals of the hand. The axillary nerve innervates the deltoid, teres minor, and triceps brachii muscles.

Example Question #17 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

A 79-year old nursing home resident complains that food has been tasting funny the past few months. She has also mentioned that she used to love smelling all the flowers in the garden, but does not enjoy it as much anymore because “they don’t smell good like they used to.” You suspect that with age some of her nerve fibers may be deteriorating. What type of nerve fibers are involved in this patient?

Possible Answers:

Special somatic afferent

General somatic afferent

General somatic efferent

General visceral afferent

Special visceral afferent

Correct answer:

Special visceral afferent

Explanation:

This question tests knowledge of different nerve fiber types. Smell and taste is transmitted by special visceral afferent nerve fibers.

Special somatic afferent fibers carry information of sight, sound, and balance. General somatic afferent fibers are sensory fibers transmitting information from the body to the spinal cord, such as pain and touch. General somatic efferent fibers are motor fibers transmitting impulses from the spinal cord to skeletal (voluntary) muscles. General visceral afferent fibers carry sensation reflex or pain sensation from mucous membranes, glands, and blood vessels, while general visceral efferent fibers transmit signals from the spinal cord to smooth (involuntary) muscle and glandular tissue.

Example Question #18 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Peptic ulcer disease is most commonly found in the duodenum and can occasionally penetrate through the duodenal wall and erode other structures. What vessel is most likely to be injured if an ulcer in the superior part of the duodenum were to perforate through?

Possible Answers:

Left gastric artery

Splenic artery

Common hepatic artery

Gastroduodenal artery

Right gastroepiploic artery

Correct answer:

Gastroduodenal artery

Explanation:

Perforation of a duodenal ulcer would erode the gastroduodenal artery.

The gastroduodenal artery branches off the common hepatic artery and runs posterior to the superior and descending parts of the duodenum. If a duodenal ulcer were to perforate, the gastroduodenal artery is the most likely to be affected.

The common hepatic artery is a main branch off the celiac trunk, but is found superior to the duodenum. The left gastric artery is another branch off the celiac trunk that is left of the duodenum, supplying the lesser curvature of the stomach. The splenic artery is the third branch off the celiac trunk and runs posterior to the stomach. The right gastroepiploic artery is a branch of the gastroduodenal artery that runs inferior to the stomach, supplying the greater curvature of the stomach.

Example Question #19 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Damage to which nerve results in "winging" of the scapula?

Possible Answers:

Axillary nerve

Long thoracic nerve

Thoracodorsal nerve

Subscapular nerve

Median nerve

Correct answer:

Long thoracic nerve

Explanation:

The long thoracic nerve innervates the serratus anterior muscle, which keeps the medial border and inferior angle of the scapula pressed against the thoracic wall. The long thoracic nerve is located very superficially and is often damaged during surgery. Damage to the long thoracic nerve causes the medial border and inferior angle of the scapula to elevate away from the thoracic wall, resulting in "winging" of the scapula. When this occurs, normal elevation of the arm is not possible.

The thoracodorsal nerve innervates the latissimus dorsi. Damage to the thoracodorsal nerve results in diminished capacity to use the arms to pull the body forward or upward, such as the motion of doing pull-ups. The superior and inferior subscapular nerves innervate the subscapularis muscle, a rotator cuff muscle used to stabilize the glenohumeral joint (shoulder). The median nerve innervates the flexors of the forearm and some parts of the hand. The axillary nerve innervates the deltoid, teres minor, and triceps brachii. Damage to the axillary nerve results in inability to abduct the arm greater than fifteen degrees.

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