Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
(OMM)Examination — 2026 Edition Questions
with Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales
1. Which statement best describes the osteopathic principle of
the body as a functional unit?
A. Each organ system functions independently of the others
B. The musculoskeletal system is the only determinant of health
C. The body functions as an integrated whole in which
structural and functional relationships influence health
D. Disease is caused primarily by external pathogens
Answer: C. The body functions as an integrated whole in
which structural and functional relationships influence health
Rationale: Osteopathic medicine emphasizes the unity of the
body, recognizing that structural, functional, psychological, and
environmental factors interact. This principle forms the
foundation for osteopathic evaluation and treatment.
,2. A patient has restricted motion of the thoracic spine
associated with tissue texture changes and tenderness. This
finding most directly suggests:
A. Visceral disease
B. Somatic dysfunction
C. Neuropathy
D. Primary muscular dystrophy
Answer: B. Somatic dysfunction
Rationale: Somatic dysfunction is defined by impaired or altered
function of related components of the somatic system, including
skeletal, arthrodial, and myofascial structures, and is
characterized by abnormalities in tissue texture, asymmetry,
restriction of motion, and tenderness.
3. Which of the following is included in the acronym TART
when evaluating somatic dysfunction?
A. Tension, Alignment, Reflex, Temperature
B. Tissue texture abnormality, Asymmetry, Restriction of
motion, Tenderness
C. Temperature, Atrophy, Rigidity, Tension
D. Tissue atrophy, Reflex changes, Tenderness, Alignment
Answer: B. Tissue texture abnormality, Asymmetry,
Restriction of motion, Tenderness
,Rationale: TART is a classic mnemonic for identifying somatic
dysfunction: Tissue texture abnormalities, Asymmetry,
Restriction of motion, and Tenderness.
4. A physician evaluates a patient's lumbar spine by placing
the patient in a position that exaggerates the dysfunction and
then moving the segment toward the restrictive barrier.
Which OMM technique is being used?
A. Direct technique
B. Indirect technique
C. Functional technique
D. Balanced ligamentous tension
Answer: A. Direct technique
Rationale: Direct techniques engage the restrictive barrier and
move the dysfunctional structure toward the restrictive
endpoint. Indirect techniques instead move the body away from
the restrictive barrier into a position of ease.
5. Which OMM technique involves moving a dysfunctional
body region into a position of maximal ease?
A. Direct articulation
B. Muscle energy
, C. Indirect technique
D. High-velocity low-amplitude technique
Answer: C. Indirect technique
Rationale: Indirect techniques position the dysfunctional tissue
away from the restrictive barrier and toward the position of
greatest ease. Examples include counterstrain and some
functional approaches.
6. A patient with an acute ankle sprain has significant pain and
muscle guarding. Which OMM technique is generally most
appropriate initially?
A. High-velocity low-amplitude thrust
B. Direct articulation through the restrictive barrier
C. Indirect technique
D. Forceful stretching
Answer: C. Indirect technique
Rationale: Indirect techniques are often preferred in acute,
painful conditions because they position tissues in a direction of
ease and minimize strain on injured structures.
7. In muscle energy treatment, the patient is primarily asked
to:
(OMM)Examination — 2026 Edition Questions
with Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales
1. Which statement best describes the osteopathic principle of
the body as a functional unit?
A. Each organ system functions independently of the others
B. The musculoskeletal system is the only determinant of health
C. The body functions as an integrated whole in which
structural and functional relationships influence health
D. Disease is caused primarily by external pathogens
Answer: C. The body functions as an integrated whole in
which structural and functional relationships influence health
Rationale: Osteopathic medicine emphasizes the unity of the
body, recognizing that structural, functional, psychological, and
environmental factors interact. This principle forms the
foundation for osteopathic evaluation and treatment.
,2. A patient has restricted motion of the thoracic spine
associated with tissue texture changes and tenderness. This
finding most directly suggests:
A. Visceral disease
B. Somatic dysfunction
C. Neuropathy
D. Primary muscular dystrophy
Answer: B. Somatic dysfunction
Rationale: Somatic dysfunction is defined by impaired or altered
function of related components of the somatic system, including
skeletal, arthrodial, and myofascial structures, and is
characterized by abnormalities in tissue texture, asymmetry,
restriction of motion, and tenderness.
3. Which of the following is included in the acronym TART
when evaluating somatic dysfunction?
A. Tension, Alignment, Reflex, Temperature
B. Tissue texture abnormality, Asymmetry, Restriction of
motion, Tenderness
C. Temperature, Atrophy, Rigidity, Tension
D. Tissue atrophy, Reflex changes, Tenderness, Alignment
Answer: B. Tissue texture abnormality, Asymmetry,
Restriction of motion, Tenderness
,Rationale: TART is a classic mnemonic for identifying somatic
dysfunction: Tissue texture abnormalities, Asymmetry,
Restriction of motion, and Tenderness.
4. A physician evaluates a patient's lumbar spine by placing
the patient in a position that exaggerates the dysfunction and
then moving the segment toward the restrictive barrier.
Which OMM technique is being used?
A. Direct technique
B. Indirect technique
C. Functional technique
D. Balanced ligamentous tension
Answer: A. Direct technique
Rationale: Direct techniques engage the restrictive barrier and
move the dysfunctional structure toward the restrictive
endpoint. Indirect techniques instead move the body away from
the restrictive barrier into a position of ease.
5. Which OMM technique involves moving a dysfunctional
body region into a position of maximal ease?
A. Direct articulation
B. Muscle energy
, C. Indirect technique
D. High-velocity low-amplitude technique
Answer: C. Indirect technique
Rationale: Indirect techniques position the dysfunctional tissue
away from the restrictive barrier and toward the position of
greatest ease. Examples include counterstrain and some
functional approaches.
6. A patient with an acute ankle sprain has significant pain and
muscle guarding. Which OMM technique is generally most
appropriate initially?
A. High-velocity low-amplitude thrust
B. Direct articulation through the restrictive barrier
C. Indirect technique
D. Forceful stretching
Answer: C. Indirect technique
Rationale: Indirect techniques are often preferred in acute,
painful conditions because they position tissues in a direction of
ease and minimize strain on injured structures.
7. In muscle energy treatment, the patient is primarily asked
to:
