NPTE-PTA Exam 2026/2027 | 300+ Practice Questions, Correct Answers
& Detailed Rationales | Physical Therapist Assistant
1. Which muscle is primarily responsible for ankle dorsiflexion?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Tibialis anterior
C. Soleus
D. Tibialis posterior
Answer: B. Tibialis anterior
Rationale: The tibialis anterior is the primary dorsiflexor of the ankle
and also assists with inversion.
2. Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
A. Sagittal
B. Transverse
C. Frontal
D. Oblique
Answer: C. Frontal
Rationale: The frontal plane separates the body into anterior and
posterior sections.
3. A patient demonstrates Trendelenburg gait. Which muscle is most
likely weak?
A. Gluteus maximus
B. Gluteus medius
C. Rectus femoris
D. Adductor magnus
Answer: B. Gluteus medius
,Rationale: The gluteus medius stabilizes the pelvis during single-limb
stance. Weakness causes contralateral pelvic drop.
4. Which muscle extends the elbow?
A. Biceps brachii
B. Brachialis
C. Triceps brachii
D. Pronator teres
Answer: C. Triceps brachii
Rationale: The triceps brachii is the primary elbow extensor.
5. Which joint is classified as a ball-and-socket joint?
A. Elbow
B. Knee
C. Hip
D. Proximal tibiofibular
Answer: C. Hip
Rationale: The hip is a synovial ball-and-socket joint allowing
movement in multiple planes.
6. Which structure is the primary restraint to anterior translation of the
tibia?
A. PCL
B. ACL
C. MCL
D. LCL
Answer: B. ACL
Rationale: The anterior cruciate ligament limits anterior translation of
the tibia relative to the femur.
,7. Which muscle primarily flexes the hip?
A. Iliopsoas
B. Gluteus maximus
C. Gluteus medius
D. Semitendinosus
Answer: A. Iliopsoas
Rationale: The iliopsoas is the major hip flexor.
8. Which muscle is innervated by the radial nerve?
A. Biceps brachii
B. Triceps brachii
C. Deltoid
D. Pronator teres
Answer: B. Triceps brachii
Rationale: The radial nerve supplies the triceps and most muscles
responsible for extension of the wrist and fingers.
9. What is the primary action of the soleus?
A. Dorsiflexion
B. Plantarflexion
C. Knee extension
D. Hip extension
Answer: B. Plantarflexion
Rationale: The soleus is a powerful plantarflexor and contributes to
postural control.
10. Which muscle primarily abducts the shoulder?
A. Latissimus dorsi
B. Pectoralis major
C. Deltoid
, D. Teres major
Answer: C. Deltoid
Rationale: The middle deltoid is the principal shoulder abductor after
the initial range provided by the supraspinatus.
11. A patient has difficulty rising from a chair. Which muscle group is
most important for this task?
A. Hip extensors and knee extensors
B. Ankle dorsiflexors
C. Wrist flexors
D. Shoulder abductors
Answer: A. Hip extensors and knee extensors
Rationale: Sit-to-stand requires substantial hip and knee extension
force.
12. Which muscle is a major knee extensor?
A. Hamstrings
B. Quadriceps femoris
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Sartorius
Answer: B. Quadriceps femoris
Rationale: The quadriceps group is the primary knee extensor.
13. Which nerve supplies the diaphragm?
A. Vagus
B. Phrenic
C. Radial
D. Intercostal
Answer: B. Phrenic
& Detailed Rationales | Physical Therapist Assistant
1. Which muscle is primarily responsible for ankle dorsiflexion?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Tibialis anterior
C. Soleus
D. Tibialis posterior
Answer: B. Tibialis anterior
Rationale: The tibialis anterior is the primary dorsiflexor of the ankle
and also assists with inversion.
2. Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
A. Sagittal
B. Transverse
C. Frontal
D. Oblique
Answer: C. Frontal
Rationale: The frontal plane separates the body into anterior and
posterior sections.
3. A patient demonstrates Trendelenburg gait. Which muscle is most
likely weak?
A. Gluteus maximus
B. Gluteus medius
C. Rectus femoris
D. Adductor magnus
Answer: B. Gluteus medius
,Rationale: The gluteus medius stabilizes the pelvis during single-limb
stance. Weakness causes contralateral pelvic drop.
4. Which muscle extends the elbow?
A. Biceps brachii
B. Brachialis
C. Triceps brachii
D. Pronator teres
Answer: C. Triceps brachii
Rationale: The triceps brachii is the primary elbow extensor.
5. Which joint is classified as a ball-and-socket joint?
A. Elbow
B. Knee
C. Hip
D. Proximal tibiofibular
Answer: C. Hip
Rationale: The hip is a synovial ball-and-socket joint allowing
movement in multiple planes.
6. Which structure is the primary restraint to anterior translation of the
tibia?
A. PCL
B. ACL
C. MCL
D. LCL
Answer: B. ACL
Rationale: The anterior cruciate ligament limits anterior translation of
the tibia relative to the femur.
,7. Which muscle primarily flexes the hip?
A. Iliopsoas
B. Gluteus maximus
C. Gluteus medius
D. Semitendinosus
Answer: A. Iliopsoas
Rationale: The iliopsoas is the major hip flexor.
8. Which muscle is innervated by the radial nerve?
A. Biceps brachii
B. Triceps brachii
C. Deltoid
D. Pronator teres
Answer: B. Triceps brachii
Rationale: The radial nerve supplies the triceps and most muscles
responsible for extension of the wrist and fingers.
9. What is the primary action of the soleus?
A. Dorsiflexion
B. Plantarflexion
C. Knee extension
D. Hip extension
Answer: B. Plantarflexion
Rationale: The soleus is a powerful plantarflexor and contributes to
postural control.
10. Which muscle primarily abducts the shoulder?
A. Latissimus dorsi
B. Pectoralis major
C. Deltoid
, D. Teres major
Answer: C. Deltoid
Rationale: The middle deltoid is the principal shoulder abductor after
the initial range provided by the supraspinatus.
11. A patient has difficulty rising from a chair. Which muscle group is
most important for this task?
A. Hip extensors and knee extensors
B. Ankle dorsiflexors
C. Wrist flexors
D. Shoulder abductors
Answer: A. Hip extensors and knee extensors
Rationale: Sit-to-stand requires substantial hip and knee extension
force.
12. Which muscle is a major knee extensor?
A. Hamstrings
B. Quadriceps femoris
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Sartorius
Answer: B. Quadriceps femoris
Rationale: The quadriceps group is the primary knee extensor.
13. Which nerve supplies the diaphragm?
A. Vagus
B. Phrenic
C. Radial
D. Intercostal
Answer: B. Phrenic
