Anatomy & Physiology Exam Prep | Skeletal &
Muscular System | 80 Multiple-Choice Questions
with Answers & Rationales
1. Which type of bone cell is primarily responsible for bone resorption?
A. Scapula
B. Osteoclast
C. Synergist
D. Chondrocyte
Correct Answer: B. Osteoclast
Rationale: Osteoclasts break down bone matrix and release minerals such as
calcium into the bloodstream.
2. Which cells are responsible for producing new bone matrix?
A. Osteoblast
B. Vitamin D
C. Fibula
D. Clavicle
Correct Answer: A. Osteoblast
Rationale: Osteoblasts synthesize osteoid and promote mineralization during
bone formation.
3. What is the structural unit of compact bone?
A. Osteon (Haversian system)
B. Ulna
C. Osteocyte
D. Chondrocyte
Correct Answer: A. Osteon (Haversian system)
Rationale: An osteon consists of concentric lamellae arranged around a central
canal containing blood vessels and nerves.
4. Which part of a long bone contains the medullary cavity?
,A. Calcitonin
B. Ball-and-socket joint
C. Concentric contraction
D. Diaphysis
Correct Answer: D. Diaphysis
Rationale: The diaphysis is the shaft of a long bone and surrounds the medullary
cavity.
,5. The epiphyseal plate is primarily responsible for what?
A. Hyaline cartilage
B. Ligament
C. Lengthwise growth of a bone
D. Isometric contraction
Correct Answer: C. Lengthwise growth of a bone
Rationale: Cartilage in the epiphyseal plate allows long bones to increase in
length during development.
6. What type of cartilage covers the ends of bones at synovial joints?
A. Patella
B. Myosin
C. Hyaline cartilage
D. Ligament
Correct Answer: C. Hyaline cartilage
Rationale: Articular hyaline cartilage reduces friction and absorbs shock at joint
surfaces.
7. Which mineral is most abundant in bone matrix?
A. Ulna
B. Calcium
C. ATP
D. Fibula
Correct Answer: B. Calcium
Rationale: Calcium salts, mainly as hydroxyapatite crystals, provide hardness
and strength to bone.
8. Which bone is part of the axial skeleton?
A. Osteocyte
B. Hyaline cartilage
C. Parathyroid hormone
D. Sternum
Correct Answer: D. Sternum
Rationale: The axial skeleton includes the skull, vertebral column, ribs, and
sternum.
, 9. How many cervical vertebrae are normally present?
A. ATP
B. Ulna
C. 7
D. Concentric contraction
Correct Answer: C. 7
Rationale: The cervical region contains C1 through C7.
Muscular System | 80 Multiple-Choice Questions
with Answers & Rationales
1. Which type of bone cell is primarily responsible for bone resorption?
A. Scapula
B. Osteoclast
C. Synergist
D. Chondrocyte
Correct Answer: B. Osteoclast
Rationale: Osteoclasts break down bone matrix and release minerals such as
calcium into the bloodstream.
2. Which cells are responsible for producing new bone matrix?
A. Osteoblast
B. Vitamin D
C. Fibula
D. Clavicle
Correct Answer: A. Osteoblast
Rationale: Osteoblasts synthesize osteoid and promote mineralization during
bone formation.
3. What is the structural unit of compact bone?
A. Osteon (Haversian system)
B. Ulna
C. Osteocyte
D. Chondrocyte
Correct Answer: A. Osteon (Haversian system)
Rationale: An osteon consists of concentric lamellae arranged around a central
canal containing blood vessels and nerves.
4. Which part of a long bone contains the medullary cavity?
,A. Calcitonin
B. Ball-and-socket joint
C. Concentric contraction
D. Diaphysis
Correct Answer: D. Diaphysis
Rationale: The diaphysis is the shaft of a long bone and surrounds the medullary
cavity.
,5. The epiphyseal plate is primarily responsible for what?
A. Hyaline cartilage
B. Ligament
C. Lengthwise growth of a bone
D. Isometric contraction
Correct Answer: C. Lengthwise growth of a bone
Rationale: Cartilage in the epiphyseal plate allows long bones to increase in
length during development.
6. What type of cartilage covers the ends of bones at synovial joints?
A. Patella
B. Myosin
C. Hyaline cartilage
D. Ligament
Correct Answer: C. Hyaline cartilage
Rationale: Articular hyaline cartilage reduces friction and absorbs shock at joint
surfaces.
7. Which mineral is most abundant in bone matrix?
A. Ulna
B. Calcium
C. ATP
D. Fibula
Correct Answer: B. Calcium
Rationale: Calcium salts, mainly as hydroxyapatite crystals, provide hardness
and strength to bone.
8. Which bone is part of the axial skeleton?
A. Osteocyte
B. Hyaline cartilage
C. Parathyroid hormone
D. Sternum
Correct Answer: D. Sternum
Rationale: The axial skeleton includes the skull, vertebral column, ribs, and
sternum.
, 9. How many cervical vertebrae are normally present?
A. ATP
B. Ulna
C. 7
D. Concentric contraction
Correct Answer: C. 7
Rationale: The cervical region contains C1 through C7.
