NCBTMB Applied Science and Anatomy 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which directional term means 'closer to the point of attachment' of a limb?
- Distal
- Lateral
- Proximal (Correct answer)
- Medial
Correct answer: Proximal
Proximal refers to a position closer to the origin or point of attachment, such as the knee being proximal to the ankle.
Question 2: What is the primary function of red bone marrow?
- Store adipose tissue for energy
- Produce blood cells (hematopoiesis) (Correct answer)
- Produce synovial fluid
- Synthesize growth hormones
Correct answer: Produce blood cells (hematopoiesis)
Red bone marrow is the site of hematopoiesis, producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Question 3: Hypertonia in a muscle most accurately refers to which condition?
- Abnormally decreased muscle tone
- Complete absence of muscle activity
- Abnormally increased muscle tone or tension (Correct answer)
- Rapid, involuntary muscle twitching
Correct answer: Abnormally increased muscle tone or tension
Hypertonia describes a state of excessive muscle tension or stiffness, often resulting from upper motor neuron lesions or chronic protective guarding.
Question 4: Which carpal bone is most commonly fractured and may have its blood supply disrupted, leading to avascular necrosis?
- Hamate
- Scaphoid (Correct answer)
- Lunate
- Trapezium
Correct answer: Scaphoid
The scaphoid is the most frequently fractured carpal bone and is prone to avascular necrosis because its blood supply enters distally.
Question 5: Which muscle is the primary hip flexor and originates from the lumbar vertebrae?
- Rectus femoris
- Iliacus
- Psoas major (Correct answer)
- Tensor fasciae latae
Correct answer: Psoas major
The psoas major originates from the bodies and transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae L1–L5 and is the strongest hip flexor.
Question 6: What is the term for the fibrous sac that encloses the heart and anchors it within the thoracic cavity?
- Pleura
- Peritoneum
- Pericardium (Correct answer)
- Epicardium
Correct answer: Pericardium
The pericardium is a double-walled fibroserous sac surrounding the heart that protects it, anchors it, and reduces friction during beating.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes a first-class lever system as it applies to the human body?
- The effort is between the fulcrum and the load
- The load is between the effort and the fulcrum
- The fulcrum is between the effort and the load (Correct answer)
- The effort and load act at the same point
Correct answer: The fulcrum is between the effort and the load
In a first-class lever, the fulcrum lies between the effort and the load, as seen when the atlas (C1) acts as the fulcrum for head nodding.