1
Questions to accompany
Anatomy and Physiology
CHAPTER 4 THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
1. What is the shaft of a long bone known as?
A. periosteum
B. diaphysis
C. epiphysis
D. central cavity
E. cartilage
2. The function of red bone marrow is to:
A. produce the components of blood
B. store fat
C. make new skin cells
D. replace and renew bone
E. none of the above
3. The term periosteum refers to:
A. the small spaces within spongy bone
B. the ossification centre of a bone
C. the place where bone forms a synovial
joint with another bone
D. the outer, more dense layer of bone
E. the tough, thin connective tissue that
covers a bone
4. Osteoclasts are bone cells that:
A. secrete new bone tissue called osteoid
B. secrete enzymes and acid that resorbs
bone tissue
C. have become embedded within bone
tissue
D. produce blood components
E. produce synovial fluid for joints
5. In anatomical terms, what are fontanelles?
A. horseshoe-shaped bone that supports the
tongue and larynx
B. ‘soft spots’ in a baby’s head
C. joints that allow a baby’s head to move
backwards and forwards
D. flexible, membranous gaps between the
cranial bones of a newborn baby
E. fused bones that will form the sacrum in
an adult
6. How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
A. 7
B. 12
C. 5
D. 4
E. 33
7. The thoracic cage is formed by:
A. the clavicle, scapula and humerus
B. the sacrum, coccyx, ilium, ischium and
pubis
C. the sternum, ribs and part of the spine
D. frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal
bones
E. sutures that hold bones firmly together
8. The function of the quadriceps muscle is to:
A. lift the arm sideways
B. pull the shoulder down and back
C. straighten the hip
D. straighten the knee
E. bend the body forwards and sideways
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Each question consists of a stem statement or question, and 5 options. You must pick the one
correct answer.
