Human Anatomy and Physiology : Musculoskeletal System

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Musculoskeletal System

If you read a patient’s medical history, and saw that she had gunstock deformity, which joint would you examine for this deformity?

Possible Answers:

Wrist

Elbow

Hip

Knee

Correct answer:

Elbow

Explanation:

A gunstock deformity (cubitus varus) refers to a deformity at the elbow joint, where the distal forearm is deviated medially (compared to typical anatomical alignment). Conversely, if a patient's distal forearm is deviated excessively laterally, she is said to demonstrate cubitus valgus. Cubitus varus is most commonly caused by supracondylar fractures of the humerus. Fortunately, this deformity is largely cosmetic in nature, and causes few functional limitations. 

Example Question #22 : Musculoskeletal System

You’re reading your patient’s medical history, and find he suffered a Monteggia fracture. Based on this information, which joint would expect to be affected?

Possible Answers:

Talocrural joint

Glenohumeral joint

Acromioclavicular joint

Proximal radio-ulnar joint

Correct answer:

Proximal radio-ulnar joint

Explanation:

A Monteggia fracture refers to a fracture of the shaft of the ulna, and a concurrent dislocation of the head of the radius. Accordingly, this type of fracture-dislocation injury also affects the humeroradial joint (part of the elbow complex). This type of injury is often caused by falling on an outstretched arm, which could affect the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joints as well.

Example Question #23 : Musculoskeletal System

Which of these refers to an avulsion injury to the thumb?

Possible Answers:

Mallet finger

Pott’s fracture

Gamekeeper’s fracture

Boxer’s fracture

Correct answer:

Gamekeeper’s fracture

Explanation:

A gamekeeper's fracture refers to an avulsion injury at the base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb, secondary to a rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb. Mallet finger refers to a rupture of one of the extensor digitorum tendons, at the distal interphalangeal joints. A boxer's fracture is a fracture of one of the metacarpals. A Pott's fracture is a type of ankle fracture involving the medial and lateral malleoli.

Example Question #24 : Musculoskeletal System

Which of the following injuries to the humerus occurs after an anterior dislocation of the glenohumeral joint?

Possible Answers:

Hill-Sachs lesion

SLAP lesion

Bankhart lesion

Reverse Hill-Sachs lesion

Correct answer:

Hill-Sachs lesion

Explanation:

A Hill-Sachs lesion occurs after the head of the humerus abuts that glenoid rim of the scapula, injuring the articular cartilage, when the humerus is dislocated anteriorly. If the humerus is dislocated posteriorly, it can result in a reverse Hill-Sachs lesion. SLAP and Bankhart lesions are injuries of the glenoid labrum and thus, are not viable answers to this question.

Example Question #25 : Musculoskeletal System

Which of the following is a bony outgrowth associated with the degeneration of cartilage at joints particularly on vertebral bodies?

Possible Answers:

Lymphocytes

Granulocytes

Calcification

Osteophytes

Chondrocytes

Correct answer:

Osteophytes

Explanation:

Osteophytes (bone spurs) are bony projections that form at joints. Osteophytes occur when there are changes to bone formation via aging, mechanical instability, degeneration, and disease, including arthritis (which is the most common cause of osteophyte formation). Osteophytes form naturally on the spine via degeneration of the vertebrae with aging. Osteophytes do not cause pain, but may impinge on nerves which will lead to pain, and/or numbness and tingling sensations. Chondrocytes are cartilage cells.

Enthesophytes are bony projections that form at ligament or tendon attachments. 

Example Question #26 : Musculoskeletal System

Which bone disease is commonly seen elderly females?

Possible Answers:

Bursitis

Synovitis

None of these

Tendonitis

Osteoporosis

Correct answer:

Osteoporosis

Explanation:

Osteoporosis is a breakdown of bone, commonly due to a lack of calcium, which is typically lost faster in females due to a menstruation cycle, and chronic breakdown with age. Also, females have less bone density to begin with.

Osteo- (which is going to be a Latin based root word for bone) will help you eliminate the other answers, which are all inflammation of non-bony structures within the body. 

Example Question #1 : Help With Evaluation Methods For Bones

The fulcrum test and the patellar-pubic percussion test are tests for fractures of which bone?

Possible Answers:

Ischium

Ilium

Pubis

Patella

Femur

Correct answer:

Femur

Explanation:

These are tests for femur fractures, specifically for fractures of the femoral neck. The fulcrum test involves having the patient sit with his/her affected leg hanging off the edge of a surface, then the examiner will place his/her forearm under the shaft of the femur. If the patient experiences pain in the femur upon applying downward force on the knee, the result is positive, and the patient has fractured the femur. The patellar-pubic percussion test involves the use of a stethoscope on the lateral aspect of the pubic symphysis of the leg being examined. The patella is tapped with the tip of a finger or a tuning fork. Normally, there will be a distinct, loud sound that is caused by each tapping; if the sound is dissipated or muffled, this indicates a femoral fracture. 

Example Question #2 : Help With Evaluation Methods For Bones

A patient comes into the emergency room (ER), complaining of pain in his knee. You think the patient might have a fracture, and may need an x-ray, but you are uncertain. Which of the following findings would warrant an x-ray of the patient’s knee?

Possible Answers:

The patient is younger than 55

He is unable to take more than 4 steps with his injured leg

He has bruising around his patella

He is unable to flex his knee past 

He has tenderness at his tibial tuberosity

Correct answer:

He is unable to take more than 4 steps with his injured leg

Explanation:

Inability to take more than 4 steps with the injured leg is one of the criteria of the is used order x-rays for suspected fractures around the knee complex, per the Ottawa knee rules. The other criteria are as follows: isolated tenderness at the patella or tenderness at the fibular head or patient age greater than 55 or inability to flex the knee past .

Example Question #3 : Help With Evaluation Methods For Bones

The closed fist percussion sign would be useful for diagnosing which pathology?

Possible Answers:

Femoral neck fracture

Acetabular labrum tear

Vertebral compression fracture

Glenoid labrum tear

Correct answer:

Vertebral compression fracture

Explanation:

Although diagnostic imaging is needed to conclusively to rule in a fracture, the closed fist percussion sign has good diagnostic value in detecting vertebral compression fractures. Given that this tests involves hitting a patient in the back, clinicians may be hesitant to use this test. In such cases, the supine sign (increased pain with lying supine) can also be used to screen for vertebral compression fractures.

Example Question #4 : Help With Evaluation Methods For Bones

Which of the following diagnostic criteria is not used to screen for fractures?

Possible Answers:

Ottawa ankle rules

Amsterdam wrist rules

Ottawa knee rules

Well's criteria

Correct answer:

Well's criteria

Explanation:

As their names suggest, the Ottawa knee and ankle rules, and the Amsterdam wrist rules are used to determine which patients should receive x-rays for suspected ankle, knee, and wrist fractures respectively. Well's criteria are used to screen for pulmonary embolisms (PEs) and deep vein thromboses (DVTs). It should be noted that there are distinct Well's criteria for PEs and DVTs.

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