HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology Test
(25 Questions)
Verified Q&As with Explanations
LATEST QUESTIONS
, 1. 1. Question
The elbow is what type of joint?
Hinge
Pivot
Planar
Ball-and-socket
Answer: Hinge
A synovial joint is a joint that is freely mobile. There are six types of synovial joints:
1. Hinge: In hinge joints, the slightly rounded end of one bone fits into the slightly
hollow end of the other bone. One bone moves while the other remains
stationary, like the hinge of a door. Your elbows and knees are hinge joints.
2. Planar: Planar joints are bones with articulating (moving against each other)
surfaces that are flat or slightly curved faces. The tarsal bones in your foot and
the carpal bones in your wrist are examples of a planar joint.
3. Pivot: Pivot joints consist of the rounded end of one bone fitting into a ring
formed by the other bone. This allows for rotational movement. An example of a
pivot joint is the joint of the first and second vertebrae of the neck that allows
the head to move side to side.
4. Condyloid joints: These joints consist of an oval-shaped end of one bone fitting
into a similarly oval-shaped hollow end of another bone. These joints allow
biaxial movements—i.e., forward and backward, or from side to side, but not
rotation.
5. Saddle joints: Saddle joints are so named because the ends of each bone look
like a saddle, with concave and convex portions that fit together. Saddle joints
allow angular movements similar to condyloid joints but with a greater range of
motion. An example of a saddle joint is the thumb joint, which can move back
and forth and up and down but more freely than the wrist or fingers.
,6. Ball-and-socket joints: These joints possess a rounded, ball-like end of one bone
fitting into a cup-like socket of another bone. This type of joint has the greatest
range of motion with all movement types possible in all directions. An example of
a ball-and-socket joint is your shoulder.
, 2. 2. Question
Which of the following muscles pulls a body part away from the midline of the body?
Adductors
Abductors
Extensors
Flexors
Answer: Abductors
Flexors reduce the angle at the joint. An example of a flexor muscle is the bicebs brachii, which,
when they contract, reduce the angle of your elbow joint, bringing your hand towards your
shoulder.
Extensors increase the angle at the joint when contracted. Your triceps brachii are extensors as
they increase the angle at the elbow joint, extending your hands towards your hips.
Abductors draw a limb away from the midline. For example, the abductor muscles of the legs
spread the legs away from the midline and away from one another (like doing a split) when
contracted.
Adductors return the limb back toward the body. The groin muscles (the adductor magnus,
adductor longus, adductor brevis, pectineus, and gracilis) are adductors. When contracted, they
pull the legs back to the midline and back together.
The diagrams below serve as a visual reference for flexors, extensors, abductors, and adductors.
(25 Questions)
Verified Q&As with Explanations
LATEST QUESTIONS
, 1. 1. Question
The elbow is what type of joint?
Hinge
Pivot
Planar
Ball-and-socket
Answer: Hinge
A synovial joint is a joint that is freely mobile. There are six types of synovial joints:
1. Hinge: In hinge joints, the slightly rounded end of one bone fits into the slightly
hollow end of the other bone. One bone moves while the other remains
stationary, like the hinge of a door. Your elbows and knees are hinge joints.
2. Planar: Planar joints are bones with articulating (moving against each other)
surfaces that are flat or slightly curved faces. The tarsal bones in your foot and
the carpal bones in your wrist are examples of a planar joint.
3. Pivot: Pivot joints consist of the rounded end of one bone fitting into a ring
formed by the other bone. This allows for rotational movement. An example of a
pivot joint is the joint of the first and second vertebrae of the neck that allows
the head to move side to side.
4. Condyloid joints: These joints consist of an oval-shaped end of one bone fitting
into a similarly oval-shaped hollow end of another bone. These joints allow
biaxial movements—i.e., forward and backward, or from side to side, but not
rotation.
5. Saddle joints: Saddle joints are so named because the ends of each bone look
like a saddle, with concave and convex portions that fit together. Saddle joints
allow angular movements similar to condyloid joints but with a greater range of
motion. An example of a saddle joint is the thumb joint, which can move back
and forth and up and down but more freely than the wrist or fingers.
,6. Ball-and-socket joints: These joints possess a rounded, ball-like end of one bone
fitting into a cup-like socket of another bone. This type of joint has the greatest
range of motion with all movement types possible in all directions. An example of
a ball-and-socket joint is your shoulder.
, 2. 2. Question
Which of the following muscles pulls a body part away from the midline of the body?
Adductors
Abductors
Extensors
Flexors
Answer: Abductors
Flexors reduce the angle at the joint. An example of a flexor muscle is the bicebs brachii, which,
when they contract, reduce the angle of your elbow joint, bringing your hand towards your
shoulder.
Extensors increase the angle at the joint when contracted. Your triceps brachii are extensors as
they increase the angle at the elbow joint, extending your hands towards your hips.
Abductors draw a limb away from the midline. For example, the abductor muscles of the legs
spread the legs away from the midline and away from one another (like doing a split) when
contracted.
Adductors return the limb back toward the body. The groin muscles (the adductor magnus,
adductor longus, adductor brevis, pectineus, and gracilis) are adductors. When contracted, they
pull the legs back to the midline and back together.
The diagrams below serve as a visual reference for flexors, extensors, abductors, and adductors.
