Anatomy Answers
Anatomy is the branch of science that studies the structure of the human body and its parts, from organs and tissues to cells and systems. It explores how body components are organized and interconnected, providing the foundation for understanding function, health, and disease. Divided into gross anatomy (visible structures) and microscopic anatomy (cells and tissues), it is essential for medicine, biology, and related sciences. Please note that the questions require knowledge and not all questions are the same difficulty level. Ready for my anatomy questions?
A1:
Which plane divides the body into left and right halves?
A) Frontal plane
B) Sagittal plane
C) Transverse plane
D) Coronal plane
Answer: B) Sagittal plane
Explanation: The sagittal plane runs vertically and divides the body into left and right portions.
A2:
Which organ is primarily responsible for detoxifying blood?
A) Kidney
B) Liver
C) Spleen
D) Pancreas
Answer: B) Liver
Explanation: The liver detoxifies blood, metabolizes drugs, and produces bile.
A3:
The foramen magnum is located in which bone?
A) Frontal bone
B) Temporal bone
C) Occipital bone
D) Parietal bone
Answer: C) Occipital bone
Explanation: The foramen magnum in the occipital bone allows the spinal cord to pass through.
A4:
Which muscle is the primary flexor of the forearm?
A) Triceps brachii
B) Biceps brachii
C) Deltoid
D) Brachioradialis
Answer: B) Biceps brachii
Explanation: The biceps brachii flexes the forearm at the elbow and also supinates the forearm.
A5:
Which type of joint is the shoulder joint?
A) Hinge
B) Pivot
C) Ball-and-socket
D) Saddle
Answer: C) Ball-and-socket
Explanation: The shoulder (glenohumeral) joint is a ball-and-socket joint, allowing wide ranges of movement.
A6:
Name the four primary tissue types in the human body.
Answer: Epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous
Explanation: These are the fundamental tissues forming all organs and structures.
A7:
What is the main function of alveoli in the lungs?
Answer: Gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
Explanation: Alveoli have thin walls and are surrounded by capillaries, enabling efficient gas diffusion.
A8:
Which cranial nerve controls vision?
Answer: The optic nerve (Cranial Nerve II).
Explanation: The optic nerve transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.
A9:
What is the structural and functional unit of the kidney?
Answer: Nephron
Explanation: Nephrons filter blood, reabsorb nutrients, and form urine.
A10:
Which part of the brain regulates balance and coordination?
Answer: Cerebellum
Explanation: The cerebellum fine-tunes motor activity and maintains balance and posture.
A11:
Identify the largest artery in the human body.
Answer: Aorta
Explanation: The aorta originates from the left ventricle and distributes oxygenated blood to the body.
A12:
Which bone is commonly called the “collarbone”?
Answer: Clavicle
Explanation: The clavicle connects the sternum to the scapula, stabilizing the shoulder.
A13:
Name the longest muscle in the human body.
Answer: Sartorius
Explanation: The sartorius runs from the hip to the knee, aiding in flexion and rotation.
A14:
Which structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?
Answer: Diaphragm
Explanation: The diaphragm is a muscle essential for breathing.
A15:
Which bone is the only one in the body that does not articulate with another bone?
Answer: Hyoid bone
Explanation: The hyoid supports the tongue and larynx but does not form a joint.
A16:
Why is the left lung smaller than the right lung?Answer: To accommodate the heart.Explanation: The left lung has a cardiac notch, making it slightly smaller.
A17:
(Short Answer) Name the four rotator cuff muscles.
Answer: Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis.
Explanation: They stabilize the glenohumeral joint; SITS is the classic mnemonic.
A18:
(True/False) The right lung has a cardiac notch and a lingula.
Answer: False.
Explanation: Those are left lung features; the right lung has three lobes and an eparterial bronchus.
A19:
(Short Answer) What structure passes through the carpal tunnel besides tendons?
Answer: The median nerve.
Explanation: It shares the tunnel with 9 flexor tendons; compression → carpal tunnel syndrome.
A20:
Which ligament limits hyperextension of the knee most?
A) Anterior cruciate
B) Posterior cruciate
C) Fibular collateral
D) Tibial collateral
Answer: A
Explanation: ACL prevents anterior tibial translation and resists hyperextension.
A21:
(Short Answer) Name the contents of the cubital fossa from lateral to medial.
Answer: Biceps tendon, Brachial artery, Median nerve (TAN).
Explanation: Classic surface anatomy ordering.
A22:
(True/False) The sternocleidomastoid is innervated by the spinal accessory nerve.
Answer: True.
Explanation: CN XI supplies SCM and trapezius.
A23:
Which heart valve lies between the left atrium and left ventricle?
A) Tricuspid
B) Pulmonic
C) Mitral
D) Aortic
Answer: C
Explanation: The mitral (bicuspid) valve guards the left AV orifice.
A24:
(Short Answer) What three structures form the portal triad within the hepatoduodenal ligament?
Answer: Proper hepatic artery, portal vein, common bile duct.
Explanation: Key for Pringle maneuver and hepatobiliary surgery.
A25:
The SA node is most commonly supplied by which coronary artery?
A) Left circumflex
B) Left anterior descending
C) Right coronary artery
D) Posterior interventricular
Answer: C
Explanation: The RCA most commonly supplies the SA node (anatomic variation exists).
A26:
(Short Answer) What are the three branches off the celiac trunk?
Answer: Left gastric, splenic, common hepatic.
Explanation: Primary foregut arterial supply.
A27:
(True/False) The spleen is a retroperitoneal organ.
Answer: False.
Explanation: It is intraperitoneal in the LUQ (ribs 9–11).
A28:
(Short Answer) Name the boundaries of the femoral triangle.
Answer: Inguinal ligament (superior), Sartorius (lateral), Adductor longus (medial).
Explanation: Landmark for femoral access; contents NAVeL lateral→medial.
A29:
​(Short Answer) Where does the adult spinal cord typically end?
Answer: L1–L2 vertebral level.
Explanation: Lumbar puncture is done at L3–L4 or L4–L5.
A30:
Which epithelial type lines most of the GI tract mucosa?
A) Stratified squamous keratinized
B) Simple columnar
C) Pseudostratified ciliated columnar
D) Transitional
Answer: B
Explanation: Simple columnar predominates from stomach through rectum (with regional exceptions).
A31:
(Short Answer) List the layers of the epidermis (superficial → deep).
Answer: Corneum, Lucidum, Granulosum, Spinosum, Basale.
Explanation: Thick skin includes lucidum.
A32:
(True/False) Osteoclasts derive from osteoprogenitor cells.
Answer: False.
Explanation: Osteoclasts are from monocyte/macrophage lineage.
A33:
Elastic cartilage is found in the:
A) Costal cartilages
B) Articular surfaces
C) Epiglottis and pinna
D) Intervertebral discs
Answer: C
Explanation: Elastic cartilage supports flexible structures (epiglottis, auricle).
A34:
​(True/False) The thoracic duct drains into the right venous angle.
Answer: False.
Explanation: It drains at the left venous angle (left subclavian + left internal jugular).
A35:
Which muscle initiates shoulder abduction (first ~15°)?
A) Deltoid
B) Supraspinatus
C) Infraspinatus
D) Teres major
Answer: B
Explanation: Supraspinatus starts abduction; deltoid continues.
A36:
(Short Answer) Name the bones forming the orbit rim (any four).
Answer: Frontal, Zygomatic, Maxilla, Sphenoid, Ethmoid, Lacrimal, Palatine.
Explanation: Multiple bones contribute; frontal/zygomatic/maxilla are key rim elements.
A37:
Which structure passes through the diaphragm at T10?
A) Aorta
B) Esophagus
C) IVC
D) Thoracic duct
Answer: B
A38:
(Short Answer) What is the functional unit of skeletal muscle?
Answer: Sarcomere.
Explanation: Z-line to Z-line contractile unit.
A39:
The prostatic urethra receives:
A) Ducts of the bulbourethral glands
B) Ducts of the prostate and ejaculatory ducts
C) Only the ureters
D) Nothing
Answer: B
Explanation: Prostatic urethra is where ejaculatory ducts open.
A40:
(Short Answer) Name the three major unpaired branches of the abdominal aorta to the gut in order.
Answer: Celiac trunk, Superior mesenteric artery, Inferior mesenteric artery.
Explanation: Foregut, midgut, hindgut supply.
A41:
Which structure is retroperitoneal?
A) Jejunum
B) Tail of pancreas
C) Ascending colon
D) Spleen
Answer: C
Explanation: Ascending/descending colon are secondarily retroperitoneal.
A42:
(Short Answer) Name the components of the levator ani.
Answer: Puborectalis, Pubococcygeus, Iliococcygeus.
Explanation: Major pelvic floor support.
A43:
Which vessel is contained in the carotid sheath?
A) External jugular vein
B) Internal jugular vein
C) External carotid artery
D) Transverse cervical artery
Answer: B
Explanation: Sheath contains common/internal carotid, internal jugular, and vagus nerve.
A44:
(Short Answer) Name the three ossicles of the middle ear.
Answer: Malleus, Incus, Stapes.
Explanation: Transmit vibrations to the inner ear.
A45:
(Short Answer) What passes behind the medial malleolus (anterior → posterior order)?
Answer: Tibialis posterior, Digitorum longus, Artery (posterior tibial), Nerve (tibial), Hallucis longus (Tom, Dick, ANd Harry).
Explanation: Tarsal tunnel anatomy.
A46:
(True/False) The pituitary sits in the sella turcica of the sphenoid.
Answer: True.
Explanation: Bony seat for hypophysis.
A47:
(True/False) The pancreas tail is retroperitoneal.
Answer: False.
Explanation: Tail lies in splenorenal ligament (intraperitoneal); body/head mostly retroperitoneal.
A48:
Which artery is the primary supply to the femoral head in adults?
A) Obturator artery
B) Medial circumflex femoral artery
C) Lateral circumflex femoral artery
D) Superior gluteal artery
Answer: B
Explanation: Medial circumflex retinacular vessels supply femoral head/neck.
A49:
(Short Answer) What forms the inguinal ligament?
Answer: The inferior border of the external oblique aponeurosis.
Explanation: Extends ASIS → pubic tubercle.
A50:
(True/False) The right gonadal vein drains into the left renal vein.
Answer: False.
Explanation: Right drains to IVC; left drains to left renal vein.
A51:
Which ligament prevents posterior displacement of the tibia?
A) ACL
B) PCL
C) MCL
D) LCL
Answer: B
Explanation: PCL prevents posterior tibial translation.
A52:
(True/False) The larynx is located anterior to the laryngopharynx and spans C3–C6.
Answer: True.
Explanation: Houses vocal cords; airway structure.
A53:
(Short Answer) Name the three parts of the broad ligament.
Answer: Mesometrium, Mesosalpinx, Mesovarium.
Explanation: Peritoneal folds supporting uterus, tubes, ovaries.
A54:
(True/False) The SA node lies near the opening of the coronary sinus.
Answer: False.
Explanation: SA node at SVC–right atrial junction; AV node near coronary sinus opening.
A55:
Which tendon uses the pisiform as a sesamoid bone?
A) Flexor carpi radialis
B) Flexor carpi ulnaris
C) Palmaris longus
D) Extensor carpi ulnaris
Answer: B
Explanation: FCU inserts into pisiform, hamate hook, and 5th metacarpal.
A56:
(Short Answer) What is the anatomic snuffbox bounded by (tendons)?
Answer: Extensor pollicis longus (posterior border); abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis (anterior border).
Explanation: Floor is scaphoid; radial artery traverses.
A57:
(Short Answer) Identify the three scalene muscles and the key structure passing between anterior and middle scalenes.
Answer: Anterior, Middle, Posterior scalenes; brachial plexus + subclavian artery pass between anterior/middle.
Explanation: Thoracic outlet relevance.
A58:
(Short Answer) Name the parts of the small intestine in order from proximal.
Answer: Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum.
Explanation: Standard GI sequence.
A59:
(Short Answer) List two primary curvatures and two secondary curvatures of the vertebral column.
Answer: Primary: Thoracic, Sacral. Secondary: Cervical, Lumbar.
Explanation: Secondary develop with head lifting and standing.
A60:
(True/False) The gallbladder sits on the visceral surface of the right lobe between right and quadrate lobes.
Answer: True.
Explanation: Fossa separates right and quadrate lobes.
A61:
Which muscle is the chief hip extensor?
A) Gluteus maximus
B) Gluteus medius
C) Iliopsoas
D) Tensor fasciae latae
Answer: A
Explanation: Gluteus maximus powerfully extends and laterally rotates hip.