NCLEX : NCLEX

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX

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Example Questions

Example Question #491 : Nclex

What suture joins the frontal bone to the parietal bones? 

Possible Answers:

The coronal suture

The parietal suture

The sagittal suture

The frontal suture

Correct answer:

The coronal suture

Explanation:

The suture that joins the frontal bone to the parietal bones is the coronal suture. The sagittal suture joins the two parietal bones together along the sagittal plane of the skull. There are no sutures named after the frontal or parietal bones themselves.

Example Question #181 : General Biology

A patient presents to the ER complaining of "pain in his heart." When the nurse asks him to point to the area that he feels the pain, he places his finger on the bony protuberance just below his rib cage. Seeing this, the nurse has reason to suspect that his pain may be gastrointestinal or musculoskeletal in origin as well as cardiac. What bony protuberance is this patient likely touching? 

Possible Answers:

The body of the sternum

The manubrium

The costal cartilage

The xiphoid process

Correct answer:

The xiphoid process

Explanation:

The costal cartilage of the ribcage is joined to the sternum, which is made up of three bony structures: the most superior is the manubrium, which articulates not just with the costal cartilage of the first rib but also with the clavicles. The body of the sternum is inferior to the manubrium, and articulates with the second through fifth ribs. The xiphoid process is a small protuberance just below the body of the sternum, at the point where the bottom of the ribcage meets the sternum. It is an attachment point for several muscles, including the diaphragm, the rectus abdominis, and the transverse abdominis. This is a common location for referred pain from gallbladder disease, GERD, or pain due to musculoskeletal injury or irritation. 

Example Question #1 : Musculoskeletal System And Anatomy

Which of the following is the name of the bony landmark that forms the ridge of the brow?

Possible Answers:

The glabella

The coronoid process

The orbit

The superciliary arch

Correct answer:

The superciliary arch

Explanation:

The bony ridge of the brow is formed by the superciliary processes (superciliary means super, or above, cilia, the lens of the eye). The orbit refers to the bony socket in which the eye sits. The glabella is the small depression between the eyebrows where the two superciliary arches meet. The coronoid process is part of the mandible, or jawbone, and unrelated to the brow.

Example Question #182 : General Biology

What structures of the skull form the cheek bones?

Possible Answers:

The pterion

The styloid processes

The zygomatic arches

The mental protuberance 

Correct answer:

The zygomatic arches

Explanation:

The cheek bones are formed by the zygomatic arches, which are part of the temporal bones of the face. The mental protuberance forms the chin, the styloid processes are just under the ears and serve as an attachment point for several muscles of the mouth and throat, and the pterion is the suture where the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones come together.

Example Question #2 : Bone Identification

Which of the following is the name for the foramen that forms the ear canal?

Possible Answers:

The foramen ovale

The internal auditory meatus

The external auditory meatus

The foramen rotundum

Correct answer:

The external auditory meatus

Explanation:

The foramen that forms the ear canal is called the external auditory meatus. This travels through the temporal bone and joins the inner ear to the outer ear. The internal auditory meatus passes through the temporal bone between the posterior cranial fossa and the inner ear, and is the track through which the vestibulocochlear nerve, the facial nerve, and the labyrinthine artery travel from the inner ear toward the CNS. The foramen ovale and foramen rotundum are both openings in the sphenoid bones and have to connection to the ear.

Example Question #491 : Nclex

What is the name of the large opening through which the spinal cord exits the skull?

Possible Answers:

The foramen spinosum

The foramen cecum

The foramen magnum

The jugular foramen

Correct answer:

The foramen magnum

Explanation:

The large opening in the occipital bone at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord exits the skull is called the foramen magnum, or "large hole." It is by far the largest foramen of the skull, and generally measures 1.5-3.5 centimeters in the normal adult. The foramen spinosum, foramen cecum, and jugular foramen are all smaller foramen of the skull that transmit various blood vessels and cranial nerves.

Example Question #491 : Nclex

Which of the following bony landmarks of the skull is an attachment point for the splenius capitis, the longissimus capitis, and the posterior belly of the digastric muscle?

Possible Answers:

The coronoid process

The styloid process

The mastoid process

The mandibular condyle

Correct answer:

The mastoid process

Explanation:

The splenius capitis, the longissimus capitis, and the posterior belly of the digastric muscle all attach to the mastoid process, a bony protuberance on the inferior border of the temporal bone. This landmark is also an attachment point for the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The styloid process of the temporal bone is directly anterior to the mastoid process, and is an attachment point for multiple ligaments and the styloglossus muscle, the stylohyoid muscle, and the stylopharyngeus muscle. The mandibular condyle and coronoid process are both part of the mandible and do not form any attachments to the muscles of the neck. 

Example Question #12 : Musculoskeletal System And Anatomy

The inferior alveolar nerve exits through what opening in the skull?

Possible Answers:

The supraorbital foramen

The foramen rotundum

The mental foramen

The greater palatine foramen

Correct answer:

The mental foramen

Explanation:

The inferior alveolar nerve exits through the mental foramina of the chin. This nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve and supplies sensory innervation to the lower teeth. The foramen rotundum transmits the maxillary nerve. The supraorbital foramina transmit the supraorbital artery, vein, and nerve. The greater palatine foramen is located in the palatine bone and transmits the greater palatine nerve, artery, and vein.

Example Question #191 : General Biology

The falx cerebri attaches anteriorly to the skull at what landmark?

Possible Answers:

The ethmoidal labyrinth

The crista galli

The cribiform plate

The orbital plate

Correct answer:

The crista galli

Explanation:

The falx cerebri, the dura that separates the two hemispheres of the brain, attaches to a bony projection of the ethmoid bone called the crista galli, or "crest of the rooster." This projection is a distinct landmark that arises from the cribiform plate. The ethmoidal labyrinth and orbital plate do not form any attachments to the dura of the brain. 

Example Question #192 : General Biology

The supraspinatus tendon passes under what bony projection of the scapula?

Possible Answers:

The coracoid process

The spine of the scapula

The acromion

The superior angle of the scapula

Correct answer:

The acromion

Explanation:

The supraspinatus tendon passes under the acromion, a bony hook-like process at the end of the scapular spine. Inflammation of the supraspinatus muscle or tendon can quickly lead to entrapment of this muscle under the acromion, causing pain and reduced mobility. The coracoid process, another projection from the anterior scapula, is an attachment point for several muscles and ligaments, including the pectoralis minor and the short head of the biceps brachii. 

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