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 #654 : Gross Anatomy

The ulnar nerve does not arise from which of the following roots?

Possible Answers:

T1

C8

C5

C7

Correct answer:

C5

Explanation:

The correct answer is the C5 root. The ulnar nerve is the most inferior nerve in the brachial plexus, meaning it would not arise from a root like C5 which is the most superior in the brachial plexus.

Example Question #81 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which nerve innervates the superior oblique muscle of the eye?

Possible Answers:

Abducens nerve

Trochlear nerve

Oculomotor nerve

Trigeminal nerve

Correct answer:

Trochlear nerve

Explanation:

The correct answer is the trochlear nerve. This nerve has solely motor functions involving movement of the eye via the superior oblique muscle. The trigeminal nerve has both sensory and motor functions including general sensation of the face/scalp and opening/closing the mouth and modifying the tension of the tympanic membrane. Although both the oculomotor and abducens nerves play a role in eye movement, neither of them control the movement of the superior oblique muscle.

Example Question #82 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which of the following cranial nerves has both a sensory function and controls facial muscles?

Possible Answers:

Hypoglossal nerve

Facial nerve

Vagus nerve

Trochlear nerve

Correct answer:

Facial nerve

Explanation:

In this case, we are looking for a nerve with both sensory and motor function, laving only the facial and vagus nerves, as the hypoglossal and trochlear nerves are solely motor. Only the facial nerve controls the muscles in the face making it the correct answer. It also controls the tension of the ossicles.

Example Question #183 : Organs

Which cranial nerve controls the sense of smell?

Possible Answers:

Vestibulocochlear nerve

Accessory nerve

Optic nerve

Olfactory nerve

Correct answer:

Olfactory nerve

Explanation:

The olfactory nerve is responsible for the sensation of smell (olfaction). The optic nerve senses visual stimuli, The vestibulocochlear nerve is a sensory nerve that is responsible for proprioception and audition, the accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI) is responsible for movement of the head and shoulders.

Example Question #83 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

The accessory nerve innervates which muscle(s)?

Possible Answers:

Superior oblique

Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius

Sternocleidomastoid only

Trapezius only

Correct answer:

Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius

Explanation:

The accessory nerve innervates two large muscles: the sternocleidomastoid and the trapezius. Both of them are located in the neck/upper back which is the location of the accessory nerve. The trochlear nerve innervates the superior oblique.

Example Question #84 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

The vestibulocochlear nerve is responsible for what function(s)?

Possible Answers:

Balance and hearing

Balance only

Hearing only

Vision only

Correct answer:

Balance and hearing

Explanation:

The vestibulocochlear nerve is a sensory nerve that runs through the internal auditory canal of the ear. The ear is responsible for both our hearing and our sense of balance/equilibrium. This means that the vestibulocochlear nerve is responsible for both hearing and balance. The sense of vision of carried out by the optic nerve.

Example Question #85 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which nerve is responsible for the movement of the tongue?

Possible Answers:

Abducens nerve

Hypoglossal nerve

Glossopharyngeal nerve

Facial nerve

Correct answer:

Hypoglossal nerve

Explanation:

In this case, we are looking specifically for a nerve that has motor function. The correct answer is the hypoglossal nerve. The glossopharyngeal nerve is responsible for swallowing and gustation, but not for movement of the tongue. The facial nerve is responsible for moving the muscles of the face involved in facial expression and for controling the tension of the ossicles. The abducens is solely responsible for movement of the eye through its innervation of the lateral rectus.

Example Question #86 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

Which of the following cranial nerves is responsible for the movement of eye muscles?

Possible Answers:

Optic nerve

Oculomotor nerve

Facial nerve

Olfactory nerve

Correct answer:

Oculomotor nerve

Explanation:

The correct answer is the oculomotor nerve. In this case we are looking for a motor nerve that has something to do with the eye, letting us rule out both the olfactory (sensory) and facial (sensory and motor, but not of the eye) nerves. That leaves the oculomotor and optic nerves, however the optic nerve is solely sensory while the oculomotor nerve is a motor nerve.

Example Question #87 : Identifying Nerves And Blood Vessels

The posterior cord branches into which two nerves?

Possible Answers:

Median and axillary

Radial and axillary

Radial and musculocutaneous

Ulnar and radial

Correct answer:

Radial and axillary

Explanation:

The posterior cord of the brachial plexus gives rise to the nerves in the deep compartment of the upper arm. Those are the radial and axillary nerves. The musculocutaneous nerve comes from the lateral cord. The median nerve comes from the lateral and medial cords. The ulnar nerve comes from the medial cord.

Example Question #663 : Gross Anatomy

Which root(s) feed the inferior trunk of the brachial plexus?

Possible Answers:

C7 only

C8 and T1

T1 only

C5 and C6

Correct answer:

C8 and T1

Explanation:

C8 and T1 merge to give rise to the inferior trunk of the brachial plexus. They are the most inferior roots of the brachial plexus, so it would make sense that they feed into the inferior trunk.

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