Question 1

Which of the following best distinguishes the axial skeleton from the appendicular skeleton?

Accepted Answer

Axial: Skull, vertebral column, ribs. Appendicular: Limbs, pectoral and pelvic girdles.

Question 2

Which function is NOT performed by the bones of the skull?

Accepted Answer

Producing red blood cells

Question 3

True or False: Associated bones of the skull provide a house for the brain.

Accepted Answer

False, the associated bones provide the structure of the ear and nose.

Question 4

A surgeon needs to access the pituitary gland through the nasal cavity. Which cranial bone must be traversed to reach the pituitary?

Accepted Answer

Sphenoid

Question 5

Damage to which cranial bone is most likely to cause problems with hearing?

Accepted Answer

Temporal

Question 6

During a baseball game, a batter is hit in the face by a ball, breaking a bone. Which bone is LEAST likely to be broken in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Maxilla

Question 7

If you are moving the only freely movable bone in the skull, what activity are you most likely doing and which bone are you moving?

Accepted Answer

Chewing; the mandible

Question 8

Which of the following bones forms the posterior base of the cranium and contains the foramen magnum?

Accepted Answer

Occipital

Question 9

A patient presents with difficulty swallowing and hearing loss. Which bone is most likely involved?

Accepted Answer

Temporal

Question 10

Which bone forms the anterior portion of the hard palate and is often involved in cleft palate conditions?

Accepted Answer

Maxilla

Question 11

Which cranial bone contains the sella turcica, a depression that houses the pituitary gland?

Accepted Answer

Sphenoid

Question 12

Which of the following is a paired facial bone?

Accepted Answer

Lacrimal

Question 13

Which bone forms the bridge of the nose?

Accepted Answer

Nasal

Question 14

Which of the following statements about the parietal bones is correct?

Accepted Answer

They form the sides and roof of the cranium.

Question 15

A patient with a fracture to the zygomatic bone would most likely have difficulty with which function?

Accepted Answer

Facial muscle attachment

Question 16

Which bone is located between the orbits and forms part of the nasal cavity?

Accepted Answer

Ethmoid

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the function of the foramen magnum?

Accepted Answer

Allows passage of the spinal cord from the brainstem

Question 18

Which bone is most likely to be involved in a case of sinus infection causing pain between the eyes?

Accepted Answer

Ethmoid

Question 19

Which of the following bones is NOT part of the cranium?

Accepted Answer

Mandible

Question 20

A patient has difficulty with eye movement and sense of smell. Which bone is most likely affected?

Accepted Answer

Ethmoid

Anatomy & Physiology Study Notes: The Skeletal System and Skull

Study Guide - Practice Questions