The organisation of the Body
A. Metabolism
B. Cellular respiration
C. Homeostasis
D. Physiology
Answer is A: The quoted statement is the definition of metabolism.
2. Which of the following is the best definition of physiology?
A. The microscopic study of tissues and cells
B. The study of how the body works
C. All the chemical processes that take place in the organelles of the body cells
D. The body’s automatic tendency to maintain a relatively constant internal environment
Answer is B: Physiology is indeed the study of how the (healthy) body functions.
3. What is the study of how body parts function called?
A. Histology
B. Physiology
C. Homeostasis
D. Metabolism
Answer is B: Physiology refers to function.
4. What does the process known as anabolism refer to?
A. The use of energy for producing chemical substances
B. The breaking down phase of metabolism
C. All the chemical processes that take place in the organelles of the cells
D. The supply of nutrients to the body cells
Answer is A: Anabolism refers to the process of constructing/building molecules
(think anabolic steroids). B refers to catabolism. C is metabolism.
5. Which major organ lies deep to the right hypochondriac region?
A. Stomach
B. Spleen
C. Liver
D. Duodenum
Answer is C: Hypochondriac = below the rib cartilage (chondra = cartilage); liveri is located mostly on the right side.
6. Which plane divides the body into dorsal and ventral regions?
A. Transverse
B. Axial
C. Corona
D. Sagittal
Answer is C: Dorsal and ventral = front and back—a coronal section that divides the body into these sections.
7. The “anatomical position” could be described as which of the following?
A. Lying down prone
B. Lying down supine
C. Standing displaying the ventral surface of the body
D. Standing with arms and legs abducted
Answer is C: This is the best answer. Standing is required, as is having the arms hanging parallel to the sides, with palms facing forward
8. To what does the term “hypochondriac” refer?
A. A condition of having too few chondria
B. The region of the abdomen inferior to the ribs
C. A person who often complains of an ailment
D. Having insufficient cartilage in the knees
Answer is B: In this case, “hypo-” means below, while “-chondral” refers to the cartilage joining the ribs to the sternum (the costal cartilage). The regions of the abdomen immediately inferior to these rib cartilages (on the left and right sides of the body) is what is being referred to.
9. If a medical image displays internal anatomy in the mid-sagittal section, which of the following describes the section?
A. A vertical section through the nose and umbilicus that divides the body into right and left halves
B. A cross-section through the midriff at about the level of the liver
C. A cross-section through the upper chest at about the level of the shoulders
D. A vertical section through the midpoint of the clavicle and through either the right or left thigh
Answer is A: A sagittal section divides the body into left and right portions. A midsagittal section means that the dividing line is in the vertical midline of the body so that the halves are equal.
10. Which of the following best describes the “anatomical position”?
A. Standing vertically, arms held horizontally, legs apart so that the tips of the head, hands and feet lie on an imaginary circle, drawn around the body
B. Standing “to attention”, with hands held so that the thumbs are ventral while the fifth digit is dorsal
C. Standing “at ease” with hands clasped behind your back while adjacent and dorsal to the sacrum
D. Standing vertically, arms parallel and lateral to the ribs with hands inferior to the elbows and supinated
Answer is D: The anatomical position is achieved when standing with feet comfortably apart while displaying the ventral surface of the head, body, and forearms to the same direction (forwards).
11. Which of the following terms is NOT used to identify a region of the abdomen?
A. Left hypochondriac
B. Hypogastric
C. Epigastric
D. Right sacral
Answer is D: Right sacral is not a region on the anterior surface of the abdomen.
12. When the body is standing in the “anatomical position”, which of the following is true?
A. The radius is lateral to the ulna.
B. The radius is medial to the ulna.
C. The radius is proximal to the ulna.
D. The radius is distal to the ulna.
Answer is A: In the anatomical position, the palms are displayed ventrally. The Radius is further from the body’s midline than is the ulna; hence, it is lateral to the ulna.
13. How does a coronal section divide the body?
A. Into many transverse slices
B. Into a ventral part and a dorsal part
C. Into a left and right section
D. Into superior and inferior portions
Answer is B: An imaginary cut that divides the body into a front half (or section) and the back half is termed coronal. Choice C is sagittal, while choice D is a transverse section.
14. By what anatomical term is the head region known?
A. Plantar
B. Cephalic
C. Hypochondriac
D. Axillary
Answer is B: The cephalus is the head; the plantar region is the base of the foot; the hypochondriac region is inferior and deep to the rib cartilages of ribs 7–10; the axillary region is the “armpit”.
15. Which organ would be found in the left hypochondriac region?
A. Appendix
B. Urinary bladder
C. Liver
D. Stomach
Answer is D: Left hypochondriac region is deep to the cartilages of the lower ribs on our left-hand side. The stomach is closest to this region.
16. Which body region does “popliteal” refer to?
A. The region around each eye
B. The region anterior to the elbow, between the arm and forearm
C. The region dorsal to the knee
D. The region of the anterior crease between the thigh and abdomen
Answer is C: Here the popliteal artery and popliteus tendon may be located. Choice A refers to orbital; B refers to antecubital; D refers to inguinal.
17. Which region of the body is known as the acromial region?
A. The elbow region
B. The heel region
C. The medial ankle region
D. The shoulder region
Answer is D: The superior part of the shoulder, at the distal end of the clavicle, is known as acromial. Here the acromion of the scapula articulates with the clavicle at the “ac” or acromioclavicular joint. Choice A is the olecranal region; B is calcaneal; C (the medial malleolus) is not usually ascribed to a region name.
18. What part of the body is known as the popliteal region?
A. The fold of the knee
B. The fold of the elbow
C. The area around the ears
D. The medial sides of the ankles
Answer is A: Behind the knee, opposite to the patella is the popliteal region. Here is found the popliteal pulse and popliteus tendon.
19. Which organs are likely to be found in the epigastric region of the abdomen?
A. Aorta, vena cava and trachea
B. Oesophagus and stomach
C. Urinary bladder and some of the large intestine
D. The spleen and left kidney
Answer is B: The epigastric region is above/upon “epi-” the stomach. The organs of choice A is in the chest; C are in the hypogastric region; D is in the left hypochondriac or left lumbar regions.
20. Which region of the body is the “sural” region?
A. The dorsal surface of the leg
B. The dorsal surface of the thigh
C. The regions left and right of the lumbar vertebrae
D. The medial region of the arm
Answer is A: Anatomically the “leg” is between the knee and ankle. It's dorsal region, also known as the calf, is the sural region.
21. Where is the inguinal region of the body?
A. On the ventral surface of each knee
B. On the abdomen, immediately superior to each thigh
C. It is the region between the two lungs
D. It is superior to the heart and inferior to the larynx
Answer is B: Inguinal refers to two of the nine regions that the abdomen surface is usually divided into. In this case, to the two most inferior, on either side of the pubic (or hypogastric) region.
22. What part of the body is referred to as the plantar region?
A. The crease (anterior surface) of the elbows
B. The backs of the hands
C. The palms of the hands
D. The soles of the feet
Answer is D: The inferior surface of the feet that make contact with the ground is the plantar region. Plantar warts occur on the soles. Plantar flexion of the foot is the act of “pointing the toes”.
23. The directional term “superior” in anatomy means which of the following?
A. Cephalic
B. Ventral
C. Closer to the top of the head
D. Closer to the skin surface
Answer is C: Cephalic refers to the head region. While superior refers to being closer to the head than the other anatomical structure in question.
24. Which of the stated relationships is correct?
A. The heart is inferior to the clavicle.
B. The shoulder is distal to the carpals.
C. The phalanges are proximal to the metacarpals.
D. The eye is medial to the eyebrows.
Answer is A: The heart is indeed below (inferior) the clavicle. All other choices are wrong.
25. Which of the stated relationships is correct?
A. The heart is superior to the large intestine.
B. The shoulder is distal to the metacarpals.
C. The phalanges are proximal to the carpals.
D. The eye is medial to the nose.
Answer is A: The heart is indeed above (superior) the intestine. All other answers are wrong.
26. Which of the following correctly describes the two named body parts?
A. The elbow is proximal to the shoulder.
B. The phalanges are distal to the carpals.
C. The ribs are proximal to the sternum.
D. The elbow is distal to the knee.
Answer is B: Phalanges (finger bones) are indeed further from the trunk along the arm, than are the carpals (wrist bones).
27. Complete the sentence correctly: “Cervical vertebrae are …”.
A. Superior to the rib cage.
B. Inferior to the thoracic vertebrae.
C. Located between the thoracic and sacral vertebrae.
D. Fused into a single bone called the sacrum.
Answer is A: Cervix refers to “neck”. The cervical vertebrae are in the neck hence are above (superior) the rib cage.
28. Which term describes the location of the adrenal glands with reference to the kidneys?
A. Proximal
B. Distal
C. Superior
D. Inferior
Answer is C: The adrenal glands are on the cephalic side of the kidneys. Being closer to the head, they are termed “superior to the kidneys”.
29. Which bones are located distal to the elbow and proximal to the wrist?
A. Carpals
B. Radius and ulna
C. Tarsals
D. Humerus
Answer is B: Distal to the elbow means further along the arm towards the hand— this eliminates the humerus. Proximal to the wrist means closer to the body than the wrist—this eliminates the carpals. The tarsals are in the ankle.
30. Imagine an image of a transverse section of the upper arm. What tissues may be identified there located from the most superficial to the deepest?
A. Skin, subcutaneous fat, muscle, hypodermis, bone
B. Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis, muscle, bone
C. Integument, muscle, superficial fascia, bone, marrow
D. Hypodermis, subcutaneous fat, muscle, marrow, bone
Answer is B: Choice A is incorrect as hypodermis is more superficial than muscle. Choice C is wrong again because superficial fascia (which is a synonym for hypodermis) is more superficial than muscle. Choice D is wrong as marrow lies within the bone, and also hypodermis and subcutaneous fat are almost synonyms.
31. Which of the following describes the position of the pinna of the ear with respect to the nose and chin?
A. The ear is superior to the nose and distal to the chin.
B. The ear is proximal to the nose and distal to the chin.
C. The ear is anterior to the nose and superior to the chin.
D. The ear is lateral to the nose and superior to the chin.
Answer is D: The ear is lateral (further from the body’s midline) to the nose and superior (closer to the top of the head) to the chin.
32. Which of the following describes the position of the elbow with respect to the wrist and shoulder?
A. The elbow is lateral to the shoulder but medial to the wrist.
B. The elbow is dorsal to the shoulder but anterior to the wrist.
C. The elbow is distal to the shoulder but proximal to the wrist.
D. The elbow is inferior to the shoulder but superficial to the wrist.
Answer is C: Distal and proximal are terms used to describe the position of a limb. The elbow is distal (further away from the torso) to the shoulder but proximal (closer to the torso) to the wrist.
33. Which of the following describes the position of the thoracic vertebrae with respect to the sternum and the kidneys?
A. Vertebrae are posterior (or dorsal) to the sternum and medial to the kidneys.
B. Vertebrae are superficial to the sternum and deep to the kidneys.
C. Vertebrae are superior to the sternum and inferior to the kidneys.
D. Vertebrae are lateral to the sternum and medial to the kidneys.
Answer is A: Vertebrae are posterior (or dorsal) to the sternum, which means they are closer to the back surface and medial to the kidneys, which means that the vertebrae are closer to the body’s midline.
34. Which choice best describes the location of the majority of the musculoskeletal system?
A. It is in the dorsal cavity.
B. It is in the ventral cavity.
C. It is in the abdominopelvic cavity.
D. It is not located in a body cavity.
Answer is D: The musculoskeletal system is located in the arms and legs, and surrounding, but outside of the abdominopelvic, thoracic and dorsal cavities.
35. Which of the following is/are the contents of the dorsal body cavity?
A. Heart and lungs
B. Brain and spinal cord
C. Viscera
D. Gut, kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen, bladder, internal reproductive organs
Answer is B: Dorsal refers to the back, the cavity enclosed by the skull and vertebrae.
36. Which of the following is/are the contents of the ventral cavity?
A. Heart and lungs
B. Brain and spinal cord
C. Viscera
D. Gut, kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen, bladder, internal reproductive organs
Answer is C: This is the best answer. It is a collective term for all organs in the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.
37. Which one of the following statements is correct?
A. The diaphragm separates the brain and the spinal cord.
B. The ventral cavity contains the male and female reproductive systems.
C. The abdominopelvic cavity contains the spinal cord.
D. The dorsal cavity contains the brain and spinal cord.
Answer is D: Dorsal means back and that is the cavity with the spinal cord and brain. B is incorrect as the genitalia is outside the ventral cavity.
38. The dorsal body cavity contains which of the following organs?
A. Brain
B. Brain and spinal cord
C. Brain, spinal cord and heart
D. Brain, spinal cord, heart and kidneys
Answer is B: Dorsal refers to the back and is opposite to the ventral. Only the brain and spinal cord occupy the dorsal cavity. All other answers are incorrect.
39. What structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?
A. Mediastinum
B. Diaphragm
C. Peritoneum
D. Pylorus
Answer is B: The muscular diaphragm physically separates this two ventral cavities.
40. What structure separates the abdominal and pelvic cavities?
A. There is no separating structure.
B. Diaphragm
C. Peritoneum
D. Dura mater
Answer is A: The pelvic cavity is not physically separated from the abdominal cavity.
For example parts of the small intestine are located in both “cavities”.
41. In which cavity or cavities does the digestive system lie?
A. Abdominal cavity
B. Abdominal and pelvic cavities
C. Thoracic, abdominal and pelvic cavities
D. Dorsal, thoracic, abdominal and pelvic cavities
Answer is C: The oesophagus is within the thoracic cavity, while the remainder is in the abdominopelvic cavity.
42. What structure separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities and what is it made of?
A. The mediastinum, made of serous membranes
B. The diaphragm, made of skeletal muscle
C. The diaphragm, made of smooth muscle
D. The pleural cavity, made of visceral and parietal layers
Answer is B: The diaphragm physically separates these two ventral cavities. It is made of skeletal (not smooth) muscle as it is under our conscious control. However, most of the time, we delegate control to the autonomic nervous system.
43. Which organs do NOT lie within a body cavity?
A. Heart
B. Brain and spinal cord
C. The muscles and bones of the legs
D. The prostate and urinary bladder
Answer is C: Each muscle and bone is an organ and the musculoskeletal system is within neither the dorsal nor ventral body cavities.
44. What is the movement called when the arms are moved from the anatomical position by sweeping them through 90° in the coronal plane, so that they are held horizontally (parallel to the ground)?
A. Pronation
B. Circumduction
C. Abduction
D. Rotation
Answer is C: Moving the straight arms away from the body in this fashion is called abduction.
45. What is meant by the term flexion (or to flex)?
A. Flexion is where the angle between two long bones is decreased by muscle action.
B. Flexion is an action performed to stretch (extend) a muscle.
C. Flexion is where the angle between two long bones is increased by muscle action.
D. Flexion is caused by the action of contracting a muscle
Answer is A: To flex an arm is to decrease the angle between the humerus and radius (by contracting the biceps brachii). Choice D is wrong as contracting the triceps brachii causes extension of the forearm.
46. To what movement is the term “extension” applied?
A. Extension is where the angle between two long bones is decreased by muscle action.
B. Extension is an action performed to stretch (extend) a muscle.
C. Extension is where the angle between two long bones is increased by muscle action.
D. Extension occurs when an antagonistic muscle is allowed to contract.
Answer is C: To extend a body part is to increase the angle between the moving bone and the stationary bone. For example when the fingers of a clenched fist are allowed to straighten, the angle between the proximal phalanges and the metacarpals increases.
47. What is the collective term used for the contents of the body’s ventral cavity?
A. The omentum
B. The peritoneum
C. The internal organs
D. The viscera
Answer is D: The peritoneum is the membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, and the omentum is a portion of that. The internal organs are close but also include the brain which is not in the ventral cavity.
48. What is meant by the term “retroperitoneal”?
A. On the dorsal side of the lungs.
B. In the space between the spinal cord and the bodies of the vertebrae.
C. Within the body wall but not enclosed by the peritoneum.
D. It is a small bone of the facial skeleton.
Answer is D: Retroperitoneal refers to organs inferior to the diaphragm but not enclosed by the peritoneum. For example the kidneys, pancreas, rectum and part of the duodenum.
49. What are the terms cortex and medulla used to describe?
A. The cortex is the outer part of an organ or bone while the medulla is the inner part.
B. The cortex is the inner part of an organ or bone while the medulla is the outer part.
C. The cortex is the deeper part of an organ or bone while the medulla is the more superficial part.
D. The medulla refers to the fibrous capsule around an organ, while the cortex is the tissue of an organ.
Answer is A: The cortex of the kidney, for example, is the deep (inner part) while the cortex is the more superficial, outer part.
50. What exists in the “potential space” between the visceral and parietal layers of a membrane?
A. Serous fluid
B. Nothing
C. Air
D. Synovial fluid
Answer is A: Serous membranes have a deeper visceral layer and a more superficial parietal layer. Between them is a small amount of serous fluid to lubricate their movement past each other.
51. One of the images taken for mammography of the compressed breast is known as “craniocaudal”. What direction is this?
A. Compression from the medial and lateral sides.
B. A left-to-right (sideways) view.
C. The breast is flattened against the rib cage for imaging.
D. When standing, the breast is compressed from above and below.
Answer is D: From above (the cranial direction) and below (the caudal or tail direction).
52. What is the collective name for the contents of our ventral cavity?
A. The giblets
B. The abdominopelvic organs
C. The internal organs
D. The viscera
Answer is D: The giblets is a term used for the internals of edible fowl such as chicken. The internal organs is close but also include the brain which is not in the ventral cavity. Abdominopelvic organs exclude the thoracic organs, which are in the ventral cavity.
53. What is/are the main function(s) of the serous membranes of the body’s ventral cavities and the potential space that is between their two layers?
A. To contain the enclosed organs and restrict them to their cavity.
B. To secrete a fluid which allows the organs and two layers to slide over each other without friction.
C. To secure the organs in position by attaching them to the skeleton.
D. To house the nerve supply and blood supply to the organs.
Answer is B: The serous fluid secreted allows the parietal membrane to slide over the visceral membrane without friction. This sliding occurs as we breathe walk and run and as food moves through the digestive tract. It also allows the organs to shift against their neighbour without friction. The membranes surround the organs and are attached to the body wall, so another function is to secure the organs to the body wall (so choice C is not wrong).
54. What is the clinical condition that develops when air is able to enter the “potential space” between the parietal and visceral pleura?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pneumonia
C. Collapsed lung
D. Dyspnoea
Answer is A: Pneumo refers to air and thorax to the chest. Sometimes it is called collapsed lung, but atelectasis more correctly is applied to that. Dyspnoea refers to difficult or laboured breathing.
55. What is the clinical condition called when the membrane of the abdominal cavity is inflamed?
A. Meningitis
B. Pleurisy
C. Gastroenteritis
D. Peritonitis
Answer is D: The peritoneum is the membrane around the abdominal cavity. The suffix “-itis” is used to describe inflammation. Gastroenteritis describes the illness triggered by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system. Pleurisy refers to inflammation of the pleural membranes that surround the lungs. Meningitis refers to inflammation of the meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord.
56. Which organs do NOT have regions that are referred to as the cortex and the medulla?
A. Kidneys
B. Adrenals
C. Bones
D. Arteries
Answer is D: Medulla is the inner (deep) part of an organ while the cortex is the more superficial. Arteries walls are divided into “tunics” but do not have sections that are referred to as cortex or medulla.
57. Which of the following does the “tissue level” of structural organisation refer to?
A. Atoms, ions, molecules and electrolytes
B. Mitochondria, ribosomes, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum
C. Nephron, alveolus, villus, lobule
D. Muscle, nervous, connective, epithelial
Answer is D: The listed structures are the four major tissue types.
58. How does an organ differ from a tissue?
A. An organ contains more than one type of tissue and performs a particular function.
B. An organ contains more than two types of tissues and performs a specialised function.
C. An organ contains more than three types of tissues and performs a relatively limited number of functions.
D. An organ contains more than four types of tissues and performs one or more specific functions.
Answer is A: “More than one type” implies at least two, and organs perform a function. The term specialised function is usually used for the work that tissue does. Choice D is wrong as there are only four main types of tissues. Choice C is wrong as more than three implies at least four, but the brain is an organ which does not contain any muscle tissue.
59. When a pianist is in a seated position with forearms making an angle of 90° with the arms, ready to play the piano, what would describe the position of her forearms?
A. Pronated
B. Supinated
C. Lateral to the abdomen
D. Medial to the thorax
Answer is A: To play the piano, the palms of the hands are facing the piano keys and the dorsal side of the hands are facing the ceiling. In this position, the forearms are in the pronated position.
60. The following is a list of several levels of organisation that make up the human body: (1) tissue; (2) cell; (3) organ; (4) molecule; (5) organism; (6) organ system. When listed in order from the smallest to the largest level, what sequence would the numbers be?
A. 2, 1, 4, 3, 6, 5
B. 4, 2, 1, 3, 6, 5
C. 4, 2, 1, 6, 3, 5
D. 4, 2, 3, 1, 6, 5
Answer is B: Molecule (4) must come first and organ system second to last. That eliminates A and C. Cell (2) and tissue (1) are next in increasing order and this coincides with choice B. 1 Organisation of the Body