Anatomy Practice Questions

Which plane divides the body into right and left halves?

Sagittal plane

Movements such as abduction and adduction primarily occur in which plane?

Frontal plane

Flexion and extension occur around which axis of rotation?

Medial-lateral axis

Rotation of the head to look over your shoulder occurs in which plane and around which axis?

Transverse plane, Superior-inferior axis

Which of the following correctly pairs a plane of motion with its axis of movement?

Transverse plane — Superior-inferior axis

Which landmark forms the superior border of the ilium and can be palpated along the waistline?

Iliac crest

The anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) is clinically important because:

It is the attachment for the sartorius and inguinal ligament

Which bony prominence serves as the PA of the rectus femoris (straight head)?

AIIS

The posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) is commonly identified by:

Dimples on the lower back

Which landmark of the ischium is the weight-bearing surface when sitting?

Ischial tuberosity

The lesser sciatic notch is located:

Between the ischial spine and ischial tuberosity

The pubic symphysis joins which specific landmarks?

Bodies of the pubic bones

The obturator foramen is formed by contributions from:

Ischium and pubis

The pectineal line (pecten pubis) serves as the attachment for which structure?

Pectineus muscle

Which surface of the ilium contributes to the articulation with the sacrum?

Articular surface

The iliac fossa is the PA site for which muscle?

Iliacus

The arcuate line of the ilium contributes to which structure?

Pelvic brim (true pelvic inlet)

The ischial spine is an important landmark because:

It separates the greater and lesser sciatic notches

Which landmark can be palpated just lateral to the pubic symphysis and serves as the attachment for the inguinal ligament?

Pubic tubercle

Which bony landmark of the ilium marks the transition from the abdominal cavity (and the false pelvis) to the pelvic cavity (and the true pelvis)?

Arcuate line

Which landmark of the femur articulates with the acetabulum of the hip bone?

Head of femur

The fovea capitis is important because:

It provides attachment for the ligament of the head of the femur

Which landmark is a large lateral projection and serves as the insertion (DA) for gluteus medius and minimus?

Greater trochanter

The lesser trochanter is the insertion site (DA) for which muscle

Iliopsoas

The intertrochanteric line is located on which surface of the proximal femur?

Anterior

The intertrochanteric crest is located on which surface of the proximal femur?

Posterior

Which ridge runs down the posterior shaft of the femur and serves as an important site for muscular attachment?

Linea aspara

Gluteal tuberosity is located:

On the posterior femur, lateral to the linea aspera

Which femoral condyle is larger and bears more weight during stance?

Medial condyle

The adductor tubercle is located on which part of the femur

Medial epicondyle

The patella is classified as what type of bone?

Sesamoid bone

Which surface of the patella articulates with the femur?

Posterior surface

The apex of the patella serves as the attachment site for which structure?

Patellar ligament

The odd facet of the patella:

Is the smallest facet, located on the extreme medial side, and articulates with the femur only in deep knee extension

Which of the following is a defining structural feature of a synovial joint?

Synovial cavity

Articular cartilage at synovial joints it's composed of which type of cartilage?

Hyaline cartilage

What is the primary function of articular cartilage?

Provide cushioning and reduce friction

Which membrane lines the inner surface of the joint capsule?

Synovial membrane

Synovial fluid is produced primarily by which structure?

Synoviocytes of the synovial membrane

Which of the following is NOT a normal function of synovial fluid?

Increasing bone density

The outer fibrosis layer of the joint capsule is composed mainly of:

Dense irregular connective tissue

Which accessory structure deepen the articular surface and improves joint stability?

Menisci / labrum

Which accessory structure of synovial joints reduces friction between tendons / ligaments and bone?

Bursa

A patient presents with joint swelling and warmth due to overproduction of synovial fluid. This is most likely caused by:

Synovial membrane inflammation

The main role of the sacroiliac joint is:

Weight transfer from trunk to lower limb

Which SI ligament is the strongest and most important and preventing anterior displacement of the sacrum?

Interosseous sacroiliac ligament

The pubic synthesis is a structure classified as which type of joint?

Cartilaginous joint

The fibrocartilaginous disc of the pubic synthesis is strengthened by

Interpubic ligaments

During pregnancy, the pubic synthesis becomes more mobile due to:

Relaxin hormone softening joints

Which of the following features is a characteristic of the female pelvis, compared to the male pelvis?

Subpubic angle > 80°

The male pelvis typically has:

A narrow, heart-shaped pelvic inlet

Which pelvic feature is most relevant clinically for children?

Pelvic outlet dimensions

The hip joint is classified structurally as a:

Ball and socket synovial joint

The acetabulum is deepen and stabilized by which structure?

Acetabular labrum

Which ligament of the hip joint is considered the strongest and prevents hyperextension?

Iliofemoral ligament

Which ligament of the hip joint does the most to prevent excessive abduction?

Pubofemoral ligament

Which ligament reinforces the hip joint posteriorly and spirals around the femoral head?

Ischiofemoral ligament

The ligament of the head of femur (ligamentum teres):

Contains a branch of the obturator artery

The articular cartilage of the hip joint:

Covers the lunate surface of the acetabulum

Which of the following movements are possible at the hip joint?

Flexion / extension, abduction / adduction, rotation, circumduction

Which artery provides the main blood supply to the femoral head adults?

Medial circumflex femoral artery

Dislocation of the hip joint is less common than the shoulder because:

The hip joint capsule and ligaments are very strong

A 23-year-old man presents in the ED with right lower quadrant pain that worsens when the hip is passively extended. This positive psoas sign suggest irritation of which structure?

Psoas major

During a physical exam, a patient has difficulty flexing the hip against resistance. Which muscle is most directly weakened?

Psoas major

A 32-year-old woman complains of low back pain that worsens with lateral trunk flexion (sidebending). Exam reveals tenderness near the iliac crest. Which muscle is most likely the source of her pain?

Quadratus lumborum

A 16 year-old soccer player presents with anterior hip pain. Imaging reveals an avulsion injury at the lesser trochanter of the femur. Which muscle tendon most likely caused this avulsion?

Iliopsoas

A medical student dissecting a cadaver notices a small muscle attaching from the vertebral bodies of T12 - L1 to the superior pubic ramus. Which of the following is true about this muscle?

It is absent and up to 40% of people

A 50-year-old man with pulmonary disease has difficulty stabilizing the 12th rib during forced inspiration. Dysfunction of which posterior abdominal wall muscle is most likely contributing?

Quadratus lumborum

A patient with a retroperitoneal hematoma compressing the femoral nerve reports, weakness in hip flexion. Which posterior abdominal wall muscles actions would be most affected by compression of the femoral nerve?

Iliacus

A long distance runner presents with chronic anterior hip pain. The pain is reproduced when he lifts his thigh against resistance while seated. Which muscle is most likely inflamed?

Psoas major

A 44-year-old woman complains of hip hiking while walking to compensate for leg length discrepancy. Which posterior abdominal wall muscle is primarily responsible for this movement?

Quadratus lumborum

A patient presents with low back pain radiating to the groin. MRI shows an abscess tracking along the psoas sheath. Which of the following movements will most aggravate the patient's pain.

Hip flexion

A 21-year-old soccer player presents with pain at the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) after a forceful kick. Which anterior thigh muscle proximately attaches to the site?

Sartorius

A patient has difficulty extending the knee against resistance. Damage to which nerve is most likely responsible?

Femoral nerve

The rectus femoris differs from the other quadriceps muscle muscles because it:

Crosses both the hip and knee joints

A 26-year-old runner presents with anterior thigh pain. MRI reveals strain at the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS). Which muscle proximately attaches here?

Rectus femoris

A 54-year-old man presents with swelling and pain above his patella. His therapist suspects impingement of the suprapatellar bursa. Which anterior thigh muscle normally prevents this impingement by pulling on the bursa superiorly during knee extension.

Articularis genu

A patient present presents with weakness and hip flexion and knee extension, following a femoral nerve injury. Which anterior thigh muscle is uniquely affected because it performs both actions?

Rectus femoris

A 40-year-old cyclist demonstrates patellar maltracking. During knee extension, his patella is tracking to the lateral side, leading to knee pain. WEAKNESS in which anterior thigh muscle most likely contributes to this condition?

Vastus medialis

A 40-year-old cyclist demonstrates patellar maltracking. During knee extension, his patella is tracking to the lateral side, leading to knee pain. TIGHTNESS in which anterior thigh muscle most likely contributes to this condition?

Vastus lateralis

The quadriceps tendon attaches to which structure before transmitting forced to the tibial tuberosity?

Patella

A young athlete sustained a laceration at the mid-anterior thigh. Examination reveals loss of sensation over the anterior thigh and weakness and knee extension. Which nerve is injured?

Femoral nerve

A patient presents with tenderness at the pes anserine (proximal medial tibia). Which anterior thigh muscle distally attaches here and could contribute to the pain at the site?

Sartorius