MAI Course Exam 1 Study Guide
2026/2027 | Comprehensive Q&A and
Rationales
What are the 5 target areas of the body? - correct answer-Head, Neck, Torso,
Groin and Extremities
Which of the 5 target areas is NOT a good target and why? - correct answer-The
HEAD, because it is made up of eight dense bones which are fused together.
However, a powerful blow with a weapon or club can cause a concussion,
unconsciousness, or death.
Name the 3 major parts of the ear. - correct answer-External ear, middle ear, and
the internal ear
What does the external auditory canal allow to pass to the skull? - correct
answer-External sound vibrations.
The opening to this canal is called - correct answer-External auditory meatus
What 2 things does the internal ear control? - correct answer-Equilibrium and
balance
,What strike is effective on the ears? - correct answer-Cupped hand strike - can
disrupt and cause a loss of equilibrium
The nose is comprised of _________ and ________ nasal bones fused at the mid-
line to form the bridge of the nose. - correct answer-cartilage, two
What is another name for the jaw? - correct answer-Mandible
What attaches the mandible to the skull? - correct answer-Temporomandibular
joint (TMJ) attaches to the skull by a hinged joint
Name the nerve that can cause unconsciousness when the jaw is hit. - correct
answer-Vagus nerve (controls the motor function and neurological functions of
the body including regulating breathing and heart rate)
Name the muscle on the neck responsible for supporting and flexing the head. -
correct answer-Sternocleidomastoid muscle.
What (2) things lie underneath the sternocleidomastoid muscle? - correct
answer-Carotid artery and jugular vein
State the purpose of the carotid artery. - correct answer-The purpose of the
carotid artery is to feed oxygen-enriched blood from the heart to the brain.
What does the jugular vein do? - correct answer-The jugular vein returns oxygen-
depleted blood from the brain to the heart.
, Esophagus - correct answer-Straight collapsible tube that allows food to enter the
digestive system
Trachea - correct answer-Directly in front of the esophagus - it is the air tube
leading to the lungs.
How many vertebrae are there? - correct answer-33 vertebrae, 7 cervical
vertebrae behind the skull, C1-C7
What are the 5 regions of the vertebrae? - correct answer-Cervical, Thoracic,
Lumbar, Sacral, Coccyx
Thorax (rib cage) - correct answer-12 pairs of ribs house the major internal
organs, connected to thoracic vertebrae and sternum. Last 2 pair are floating ribs.
The _____________ is a small brittle extension of the lower part of the sternum. -
correct answer-Xiphoid Process
What are the 5 major internal organs of the torso? - correct answer-HEART,
LUNGS, LIVER, SPLEEN AND KIDNEYS
Lungs - correct answer-Transport oxygen to the bloodstream and excrete carbon
dioxide
Heart - correct answer-Pear-shaped and muscular organ responsible for pumping
blood through the body by repeated rhythmic contractions
2026/2027 | Comprehensive Q&A and
Rationales
What are the 5 target areas of the body? - correct answer-Head, Neck, Torso,
Groin and Extremities
Which of the 5 target areas is NOT a good target and why? - correct answer-The
HEAD, because it is made up of eight dense bones which are fused together.
However, a powerful blow with a weapon or club can cause a concussion,
unconsciousness, or death.
Name the 3 major parts of the ear. - correct answer-External ear, middle ear, and
the internal ear
What does the external auditory canal allow to pass to the skull? - correct
answer-External sound vibrations.
The opening to this canal is called - correct answer-External auditory meatus
What 2 things does the internal ear control? - correct answer-Equilibrium and
balance
,What strike is effective on the ears? - correct answer-Cupped hand strike - can
disrupt and cause a loss of equilibrium
The nose is comprised of _________ and ________ nasal bones fused at the mid-
line to form the bridge of the nose. - correct answer-cartilage, two
What is another name for the jaw? - correct answer-Mandible
What attaches the mandible to the skull? - correct answer-Temporomandibular
joint (TMJ) attaches to the skull by a hinged joint
Name the nerve that can cause unconsciousness when the jaw is hit. - correct
answer-Vagus nerve (controls the motor function and neurological functions of
the body including regulating breathing and heart rate)
Name the muscle on the neck responsible for supporting and flexing the head. -
correct answer-Sternocleidomastoid muscle.
What (2) things lie underneath the sternocleidomastoid muscle? - correct
answer-Carotid artery and jugular vein
State the purpose of the carotid artery. - correct answer-The purpose of the
carotid artery is to feed oxygen-enriched blood from the heart to the brain.
What does the jugular vein do? - correct answer-The jugular vein returns oxygen-
depleted blood from the brain to the heart.
, Esophagus - correct answer-Straight collapsible tube that allows food to enter the
digestive system
Trachea - correct answer-Directly in front of the esophagus - it is the air tube
leading to the lungs.
How many vertebrae are there? - correct answer-33 vertebrae, 7 cervical
vertebrae behind the skull, C1-C7
What are the 5 regions of the vertebrae? - correct answer-Cervical, Thoracic,
Lumbar, Sacral, Coccyx
Thorax (rib cage) - correct answer-12 pairs of ribs house the major internal
organs, connected to thoracic vertebrae and sternum. Last 2 pair are floating ribs.
The _____________ is a small brittle extension of the lower part of the sternum. -
correct answer-Xiphoid Process
What are the 5 major internal organs of the torso? - correct answer-HEART,
LUNGS, LIVER, SPLEEN AND KIDNEYS
Lungs - correct answer-Transport oxygen to the bloodstream and excrete carbon
dioxide
Heart - correct answer-Pear-shaped and muscular organ responsible for pumping
blood through the body by repeated rhythmic contractions
