STI II Final Exam Questions with Verified Answers (Correct Update)
Question 1: A patient reports localized tingling in the fingertips when handling textured
objects. Dysfunction in which mechanoreceptor is most likely responsible? A. Meissner's
corpuscle B. Pacinian corpuscle C. Ruffini's corpuscle D. Merkel's receptor
Answer: A. Meissner's corpuscle
Question 2: During a manual therapy session, sustained pressure over a tendon inhibits muscle
activation. This response is mediated primarily by: A. Muscle spindle (Ia afferent) B. Golgi
tendon organ (Ib afferent) C. Joint capsule Type II receptor D. Group IV muscle afferent
Answer: B. Golgi tendon organ
Question 3: Which receptor type adapts slowly and provides continuous feedback about skin
stretch or joint position? A. Meissner's corpuscle B. Pacinian corpuscle C. Ruffini's corpuscle
D. Hair follicle receptor
Answer: C. Ruffini's corpuscle
Question 4: A patient with forward head posture exhibits reduced diaphragmatic breathing
efficiency. Which mechanism best explains this impairment? A. Increased thixotropic stiffness
in cervical muscles B. Inhibition of thoracic GTOs due to fascial restrictions C. Overactivation
of Pacinian corpuscles in the upper trapezius D. Reduced gamma motor neuron input to
muscle spindles
Answer: B. Inhibition of thoracic GTOs due to fascial restrictions
Page 1
,Question 5: Which component of the muscle spindle is responsible for detecting the rate of
muscle lengthening? A. Nuclear chain fiber B. Static nuclear bag fiber C. Dynamic nuclear bag
fiber D. Secondary afferent (Group II)
Answer: C. Dynamic nuclear bag fiber
Question 6: A therapist applies high-frequency vibration to a hypertonic muscle. Which
receptor is most likely targeted to reduce tone? A. Golgi tendon organ B. Pacinian corpuscle C.
Muscle spindle (Ia afferent) D. Merkel's receptor
Answer: C. Muscle spindle
Question 7: Which statement best differentiates muscle spindles from Golgi tendon organs? A.
Spindles are in series with extrafusal fibers; GTOs are in parallel. B. Spindles detect tension;
GTOs detect length changes. C. Spindles facilitate agonists; GTOs inhibit agonists. D. Spindles
use Ia afferents; GTOs use Ib afferents.
Answer: D. Spindles use Ia afferents; GTOs use Ib afferents
Question 8: A patient's joint effusion inhibits quadriceps activation. Which receptor type is
primarily responsible? A. Type I (Ruffini) joint capsule receptors B. Type II (Pacinian)
corpuscles C. Type III (Golgi-Mazzoni) endings D. Type IV (free nerve endings)
Answer: B. Type II (Pacinian) corpuscles
Question 9: Chronic forward head posture alters scapulohumeral rhythm. This is most
associated with dysfunction in: A. Cervical Ruffini endings B. Thoracic Group IV afferents C.
Lumbar muscle spindles D. Sacral Merkel's receptors
Answer: A. Cervical Ruffini endings
Page 2
, Question 10: Thixotropy in muscle refers to: A. Electrogenic contraction from alpha motor
neurons B. Cross-bridge formation dependent on movement history C. Viscoelastic resistance
due to extracellular GAGs D. Reflexive inhibition via Group III afferents
Answer: B. Cross-bridge formation dependent on movement history
Question 11: Which finding is most indicative of a latent myofascial trigger point? A.
Spontaneous pain at rest B. Local twitch response during palpation C. Referred pain upon
compression D. Reduced ROM without tenderness
Answer: D. Reduced ROM without tenderness
Question 12: A patient with fibromyalgia exhibits central sensitization. Which
neurotransmitter is most likely deficient? A. Substance P B. Serotonin C. Glutamate D.
Bradykinin
Answer: B. Serotonin
Question 13: Group III muscle afferents are primarily activated by: A. Steady indentation of
the skin B. Low-threshold mechanical probing C. Inflammatory mediators (e.g.,
prostaglandins) D. Rapid joint movement
Answer: C. Inflammatory mediators
Question 14: Which technique would best reduce thixotropic stiffness in a muscle? A.
Prolonged static stretching B. High-velocity thrust manipulation C. Gentle repetitive
oscillations D. Isometric contractions
Answer: C. Gentle repetitive oscillations
Page 3
Question 1: A patient reports localized tingling in the fingertips when handling textured
objects. Dysfunction in which mechanoreceptor is most likely responsible? A. Meissner's
corpuscle B. Pacinian corpuscle C. Ruffini's corpuscle D. Merkel's receptor
Answer: A. Meissner's corpuscle
Question 2: During a manual therapy session, sustained pressure over a tendon inhibits muscle
activation. This response is mediated primarily by: A. Muscle spindle (Ia afferent) B. Golgi
tendon organ (Ib afferent) C. Joint capsule Type II receptor D. Group IV muscle afferent
Answer: B. Golgi tendon organ
Question 3: Which receptor type adapts slowly and provides continuous feedback about skin
stretch or joint position? A. Meissner's corpuscle B. Pacinian corpuscle C. Ruffini's corpuscle
D. Hair follicle receptor
Answer: C. Ruffini's corpuscle
Question 4: A patient with forward head posture exhibits reduced diaphragmatic breathing
efficiency. Which mechanism best explains this impairment? A. Increased thixotropic stiffness
in cervical muscles B. Inhibition of thoracic GTOs due to fascial restrictions C. Overactivation
of Pacinian corpuscles in the upper trapezius D. Reduced gamma motor neuron input to
muscle spindles
Answer: B. Inhibition of thoracic GTOs due to fascial restrictions
Page 1
,Question 5: Which component of the muscle spindle is responsible for detecting the rate of
muscle lengthening? A. Nuclear chain fiber B. Static nuclear bag fiber C. Dynamic nuclear bag
fiber D. Secondary afferent (Group II)
Answer: C. Dynamic nuclear bag fiber
Question 6: A therapist applies high-frequency vibration to a hypertonic muscle. Which
receptor is most likely targeted to reduce tone? A. Golgi tendon organ B. Pacinian corpuscle C.
Muscle spindle (Ia afferent) D. Merkel's receptor
Answer: C. Muscle spindle
Question 7: Which statement best differentiates muscle spindles from Golgi tendon organs? A.
Spindles are in series with extrafusal fibers; GTOs are in parallel. B. Spindles detect tension;
GTOs detect length changes. C. Spindles facilitate agonists; GTOs inhibit agonists. D. Spindles
use Ia afferents; GTOs use Ib afferents.
Answer: D. Spindles use Ia afferents; GTOs use Ib afferents
Question 8: A patient's joint effusion inhibits quadriceps activation. Which receptor type is
primarily responsible? A. Type I (Ruffini) joint capsule receptors B. Type II (Pacinian)
corpuscles C. Type III (Golgi-Mazzoni) endings D. Type IV (free nerve endings)
Answer: B. Type II (Pacinian) corpuscles
Question 9: Chronic forward head posture alters scapulohumeral rhythm. This is most
associated with dysfunction in: A. Cervical Ruffini endings B. Thoracic Group IV afferents C.
Lumbar muscle spindles D. Sacral Merkel's receptors
Answer: A. Cervical Ruffini endings
Page 2
, Question 10: Thixotropy in muscle refers to: A. Electrogenic contraction from alpha motor
neurons B. Cross-bridge formation dependent on movement history C. Viscoelastic resistance
due to extracellular GAGs D. Reflexive inhibition via Group III afferents
Answer: B. Cross-bridge formation dependent on movement history
Question 11: Which finding is most indicative of a latent myofascial trigger point? A.
Spontaneous pain at rest B. Local twitch response during palpation C. Referred pain upon
compression D. Reduced ROM without tenderness
Answer: D. Reduced ROM without tenderness
Question 12: A patient with fibromyalgia exhibits central sensitization. Which
neurotransmitter is most likely deficient? A. Substance P B. Serotonin C. Glutamate D.
Bradykinin
Answer: B. Serotonin
Question 13: Group III muscle afferents are primarily activated by: A. Steady indentation of
the skin B. Low-threshold mechanical probing C. Inflammatory mediators (e.g.,
prostaglandins) D. Rapid joint movement
Answer: C. Inflammatory mediators
Question 14: Which technique would best reduce thixotropic stiffness in a muscle? A.
Prolonged static stretching B. High-velocity thrust manipulation C. Gentle repetitive
oscillations D. Isometric contractions
Answer: C. Gentle repetitive oscillations
Page 3