ABC Orthotics/Prosthetics Board Written Exam
Complete Practice Question Bank & Study Guide
Latest Update
Question 1
The functions of the tibialis posterior muscle are:
A) Plantar flexion and inversion
B) Plantar flexion and eversion
C) Dorsiflexion and inversion
D) Dorsiflexion and eversion
Answer: A - The tibialis posterior muscle functions to plantarflex and invert the foot. It
is the primary inverter of the foot and is critical for maintaining the medial longitudinal
arch .
Question 2
The distal aspect of the tibia articulates with the:
A) Calcaneus and fibula
B) Calcaneus and talus
C) Talus and fibula
D) Talus and navicular
Answer: C - The distal tibia articulates with the talus inferiorly and the fibula laterally at
the distal tibiofibular joint. The talus is the only bone of the foot that articulates with the
tibia .
Question 3
Anterior compression fractures of the spine involve the:
A) Posterior column
B) Anterior column
,C) Middle column
D) Anterior and posterior columns
Answer: B - Anterior compression fractures involve the anterior column of the spine.
These fractures typically result from flexion-compression injuries and are classified using
the Denis three-column model .
Question 4
Which of the following has its insertion at the adductor tubercle?
A) Adductor longus
B) Adductor brevis
C) Semitendinosis
D) Adductor magnus
Answer: D - The adductor magnus inserts at the adductor tubercle on the medial
femoral condyle. This is an important bony landmark in the knee .
Question 5
At initial contact during gait, the body weight line is:
A) Anterior to the ankle and posterior to the knee
B) Posterior to the ankle and posterior to the knee
C) Posterior to the ankle and anterior to the knee
D) Anterior to the ankle and anterior to the knee
Answer: A - At initial contact, the center of mass (body weight line) passes anterior to
the ankle and posterior to the knee, creating a knee flexion moment that requires
quadriceps activation for stability .
Question 6
The congenital abnormality of the spine in which one side of the vertebra is
incompletely developed is:
,A) Hemivertebra
B) Spina bifida
C) Spondylolysis
D) Klippel-Feil syndrome
Answer: A - Hemivertebra is a congenital anomaly where one side of a vertebra fails to
develop, leading to wedge-shaped vertebrae and potential scoliosis. Spina bifida is a
neural tube defect .
Question 7
The muscle that has the PRIMARY responsibility of rotating the thumb to touch the tips
of the index and middle fingers is the:
A) Opponens pollicis
B) Flexor pollicis longus
C) Abductor pollicis brevis
D) Extensor pollicis longus
Answer: A - The opponens pollicis is the primary muscle responsible for thumb
opposition (rotating the thumb to touch the fingertips). This action is essential for hand
function and precision grip .
Question 8
The tibial nerve is a branch of which nerve?
A) Sciatic nerve
B) Femoral nerve
C) Obturator nerve
D) Sural nerve
Answer: A - The tibial nerve is one of the two terminal branches of the sciatic nerve. It
innervates the posterior compartment of the leg and plantar surface of the foot.
Question 9
The normal range of motion for ankle dorsiflexion is approximately:
, A) 0-10 degrees
B) 10-20 degrees
C) 20-30 degrees
D) 30-40 degrees
Answer: B - Normal ankle dorsiflexion range is approximately 10-20 degrees. At least
10 degrees is required for normal gait, with 10-15 degrees needed during the stance
phase to allow forward progression.
Question 10
Which muscle is the primary hip flexor?
A) Gluteus maximus
B) Iliopsoas
C) Rectus femoris
D) Sartorius
Answer: B - The iliopsoas (iliacus and psoas major) is the primary and strongest hip
flexor. The rectus femoris and sartorius also contribute but are secondary flexors.
Question 11
The peroneal (fibular) nerve is most vulnerable to injury at which location?
A) Sciatic notch
B) Popliteal fossa
C) Fibular head
D) Dorsum of the foot
Answer: C - The common peroneal nerve wraps around the fibular head and is
susceptible to injury from direct trauma, compression, or improper positioning.
Question 12
A C6 spinal cord injury results in paralysis of which muscles?
Complete Practice Question Bank & Study Guide
Latest Update
Question 1
The functions of the tibialis posterior muscle are:
A) Plantar flexion and inversion
B) Plantar flexion and eversion
C) Dorsiflexion and inversion
D) Dorsiflexion and eversion
Answer: A - The tibialis posterior muscle functions to plantarflex and invert the foot. It
is the primary inverter of the foot and is critical for maintaining the medial longitudinal
arch .
Question 2
The distal aspect of the tibia articulates with the:
A) Calcaneus and fibula
B) Calcaneus and talus
C) Talus and fibula
D) Talus and navicular
Answer: C - The distal tibia articulates with the talus inferiorly and the fibula laterally at
the distal tibiofibular joint. The talus is the only bone of the foot that articulates with the
tibia .
Question 3
Anterior compression fractures of the spine involve the:
A) Posterior column
B) Anterior column
,C) Middle column
D) Anterior and posterior columns
Answer: B - Anterior compression fractures involve the anterior column of the spine.
These fractures typically result from flexion-compression injuries and are classified using
the Denis three-column model .
Question 4
Which of the following has its insertion at the adductor tubercle?
A) Adductor longus
B) Adductor brevis
C) Semitendinosis
D) Adductor magnus
Answer: D - The adductor magnus inserts at the adductor tubercle on the medial
femoral condyle. This is an important bony landmark in the knee .
Question 5
At initial contact during gait, the body weight line is:
A) Anterior to the ankle and posterior to the knee
B) Posterior to the ankle and posterior to the knee
C) Posterior to the ankle and anterior to the knee
D) Anterior to the ankle and anterior to the knee
Answer: A - At initial contact, the center of mass (body weight line) passes anterior to
the ankle and posterior to the knee, creating a knee flexion moment that requires
quadriceps activation for stability .
Question 6
The congenital abnormality of the spine in which one side of the vertebra is
incompletely developed is:
,A) Hemivertebra
B) Spina bifida
C) Spondylolysis
D) Klippel-Feil syndrome
Answer: A - Hemivertebra is a congenital anomaly where one side of a vertebra fails to
develop, leading to wedge-shaped vertebrae and potential scoliosis. Spina bifida is a
neural tube defect .
Question 7
The muscle that has the PRIMARY responsibility of rotating the thumb to touch the tips
of the index and middle fingers is the:
A) Opponens pollicis
B) Flexor pollicis longus
C) Abductor pollicis brevis
D) Extensor pollicis longus
Answer: A - The opponens pollicis is the primary muscle responsible for thumb
opposition (rotating the thumb to touch the fingertips). This action is essential for hand
function and precision grip .
Question 8
The tibial nerve is a branch of which nerve?
A) Sciatic nerve
B) Femoral nerve
C) Obturator nerve
D) Sural nerve
Answer: A - The tibial nerve is one of the two terminal branches of the sciatic nerve. It
innervates the posterior compartment of the leg and plantar surface of the foot.
Question 9
The normal range of motion for ankle dorsiflexion is approximately:
, A) 0-10 degrees
B) 10-20 degrees
C) 20-30 degrees
D) 30-40 degrees
Answer: B - Normal ankle dorsiflexion range is approximately 10-20 degrees. At least
10 degrees is required for normal gait, with 10-15 degrees needed during the stance
phase to allow forward progression.
Question 10
Which muscle is the primary hip flexor?
A) Gluteus maximus
B) Iliopsoas
C) Rectus femoris
D) Sartorius
Answer: B - The iliopsoas (iliacus and psoas major) is the primary and strongest hip
flexor. The rectus femoris and sartorius also contribute but are secondary flexors.
Question 11
The peroneal (fibular) nerve is most vulnerable to injury at which location?
A) Sciatic notch
B) Popliteal fossa
C) Fibular head
D) Dorsum of the foot
Answer: C - The common peroneal nerve wraps around the fibular head and is
susceptible to injury from direct trauma, compression, or improper positioning.
Question 12
A C6 spinal cord injury results in paralysis of which muscles?
