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Anatomy & Physiology – Skeletal System
Exam Comprehensive 400-Question Practice
Test for 2026/2027
EXAM OVERVIEW
The Anatomy & Physiology Skeletal System Exam is a comprehensive assessment
covering the structure, function, and physiology of the human skeletal system. This
exam is designed for undergraduate health science and pre-professional students,
testing foundational knowledge essential for advanced coursework in medicine,
nursing, physical therapy, and other healthcare fields.
Exam Structure and Scope
The skeletal system exam typically covers the following core topics:
Functions of the Skeletal System – Support, protection, movement, mineral storage,
blood cell production (hematopoiesis), fat storage
Bone Classification – Long, short, flat, irregular, sesamoid, sutural bones
Microscopic Anatomy of Bone – Osteons, Haversian canals, lamellae, lacunae,
canaliculi
Bone Cells – Osteogenic cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts
Bone Development and Growth – Intramembranous and endochondral ossification,
epiphyseal plate
Bone Remodeling and Repair – Fracture healing stages, Wolff's law
Axial Skeleton – Skull, vertebral column, rib cage, hyoid bone
Appendicular Skeleton – Limbs and girdles
Joints (Articulations) – Structural and functional classification, joint movements
Calcium Homeostasis – Parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, vitamin D
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Key Course Concepts
Concept Description
Total Bones 206 bones in the adult human skeleton
Axial Skeleton 80 bones (skull, vertebral column, rib cage)
Appendicular
126 bones (limbs and girdles)
Skeleton
Osteogenic (stem cells), osteoblasts (build bone), osteocytes (maintain),
Bone Cells
osteoclasts (break down)
Compact Bone Dense outer layer with osteons (Haversian systems)
Spongy Bone Porous inner bone with trabeculae
Ossification Types Intramembranous (flat bones) and Endochondral (long bones)
Fracture Healing Hematoma → Fibrocartilage callus → Bony callus → Remodeling
Calcium Regulation PTH ↑ blood Ca²⁺; Calcitonin ↓ blood Ca²⁺; Vitamin D for absorption
SECTION 1: FUNCTIONS, DIVISIONS, AND BONE CLASSIFICATION (Questions 1-
80)
Question 1: Which of the following is NOT a function of the skeletal system?
A) Support and structural framework
B) Protection of vital organs
C) Heat production
D) Blood cell production
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Answer: C
Rationale: Heat production is a function of the muscular system (muscle contraction
generates heat), not the skeletal system. The skeletal system's functions include support,
protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell production (hematopoiesis), and fat
storage . The other options are all legitimate functions of the skeletal system.
Question 2: The skeletal system is composed of all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Bones
B) Cartilage
C) Ligaments
D) Smooth muscle
Answer: D
Rationale: The skeletal system includes bones, cartilage, and ligaments . Smooth muscle
is part of the muscular system, not the skeletal system. Tendons, while associated with
the skeletal system, are considered part of the muscular system.
Question 3: How many bones are in the adult human skeleton?
A) 206
B) 270
C) 180
D) 300
Answer: A
Rationale: The adult human skeleton consists of 206 bones . Infants are born with
approximately 270 bones, but many fuse during development. The axial skeleton
contains 80 bones, and the appendicular skeleton contains 126 bones, totaling 206 .
Question 4: The two major divisions of the skeletal system are the:
A) Compact and spongy bones
B) Axial and appendicular skeletons
C) Long and short bones
D) Cranial and facial bones
Answer: B
Rationale: The skeletal system is divided into two major divisions: the axial skeleton (80
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bones) and the appendicular skeleton (126 bones) . Options A, C, and D describe bone
types or specific regions, not the major divisions.
Question 5: Which of the following is part of the axial skeleton?
A) Femur
B) Scapula
C) Vertebral column
D) Humerus
Answer: C
Rationale: The axial skeleton consists of the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage . The
femur, scapula, and humerus are all part of the appendicular skeleton. The vertebral
column protects the spinal cord and supports the trunk .
Question 6: Which of the following is part of the appendicular skeleton?
A) Sternum
B) Cranium
C) Pelvis
D) Ribs
Answer: C
Rationale: The appendicular skeleton includes the bones of the limbs and the girdles
(shoulder and pelvic) . The pelvis (os coxa) is part of the pelvic girdle in the
appendicular skeleton. The sternum, cranium, and ribs are all axial skeleton structures .
Question 7: How many bones make up the axial skeleton?
A) 80
B) 126
C) 206
D) 100
Answer: A
Rationale: The axial skeleton contains 80 bones, consisting of the skull, vertebral
column, and rib cage . The appendicular skeleton contains 126 bones, and the total adult
skeleton contains 206 bones .
Anatomy & Physiology – Skeletal System
Exam Comprehensive 400-Question Practice
Test for 2026/2027
EXAM OVERVIEW
The Anatomy & Physiology Skeletal System Exam is a comprehensive assessment
covering the structure, function, and physiology of the human skeletal system. This
exam is designed for undergraduate health science and pre-professional students,
testing foundational knowledge essential for advanced coursework in medicine,
nursing, physical therapy, and other healthcare fields.
Exam Structure and Scope
The skeletal system exam typically covers the following core topics:
Functions of the Skeletal System – Support, protection, movement, mineral storage,
blood cell production (hematopoiesis), fat storage
Bone Classification – Long, short, flat, irregular, sesamoid, sutural bones
Microscopic Anatomy of Bone – Osteons, Haversian canals, lamellae, lacunae,
canaliculi
Bone Cells – Osteogenic cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts
Bone Development and Growth – Intramembranous and endochondral ossification,
epiphyseal plate
Bone Remodeling and Repair – Fracture healing stages, Wolff's law
Axial Skeleton – Skull, vertebral column, rib cage, hyoid bone
Appendicular Skeleton – Limbs and girdles
Joints (Articulations) – Structural and functional classification, joint movements
Calcium Homeostasis – Parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, vitamin D
,2|Page
Key Course Concepts
Concept Description
Total Bones 206 bones in the adult human skeleton
Axial Skeleton 80 bones (skull, vertebral column, rib cage)
Appendicular
126 bones (limbs and girdles)
Skeleton
Osteogenic (stem cells), osteoblasts (build bone), osteocytes (maintain),
Bone Cells
osteoclasts (break down)
Compact Bone Dense outer layer with osteons (Haversian systems)
Spongy Bone Porous inner bone with trabeculae
Ossification Types Intramembranous (flat bones) and Endochondral (long bones)
Fracture Healing Hematoma → Fibrocartilage callus → Bony callus → Remodeling
Calcium Regulation PTH ↑ blood Ca²⁺; Calcitonin ↓ blood Ca²⁺; Vitamin D for absorption
SECTION 1: FUNCTIONS, DIVISIONS, AND BONE CLASSIFICATION (Questions 1-
80)
Question 1: Which of the following is NOT a function of the skeletal system?
A) Support and structural framework
B) Protection of vital organs
C) Heat production
D) Blood cell production
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Answer: C
Rationale: Heat production is a function of the muscular system (muscle contraction
generates heat), not the skeletal system. The skeletal system's functions include support,
protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell production (hematopoiesis), and fat
storage . The other options are all legitimate functions of the skeletal system.
Question 2: The skeletal system is composed of all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Bones
B) Cartilage
C) Ligaments
D) Smooth muscle
Answer: D
Rationale: The skeletal system includes bones, cartilage, and ligaments . Smooth muscle
is part of the muscular system, not the skeletal system. Tendons, while associated with
the skeletal system, are considered part of the muscular system.
Question 3: How many bones are in the adult human skeleton?
A) 206
B) 270
C) 180
D) 300
Answer: A
Rationale: The adult human skeleton consists of 206 bones . Infants are born with
approximately 270 bones, but many fuse during development. The axial skeleton
contains 80 bones, and the appendicular skeleton contains 126 bones, totaling 206 .
Question 4: The two major divisions of the skeletal system are the:
A) Compact and spongy bones
B) Axial and appendicular skeletons
C) Long and short bones
D) Cranial and facial bones
Answer: B
Rationale: The skeletal system is divided into two major divisions: the axial skeleton (80
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bones) and the appendicular skeleton (126 bones) . Options A, C, and D describe bone
types or specific regions, not the major divisions.
Question 5: Which of the following is part of the axial skeleton?
A) Femur
B) Scapula
C) Vertebral column
D) Humerus
Answer: C
Rationale: The axial skeleton consists of the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage . The
femur, scapula, and humerus are all part of the appendicular skeleton. The vertebral
column protects the spinal cord and supports the trunk .
Question 6: Which of the following is part of the appendicular skeleton?
A) Sternum
B) Cranium
C) Pelvis
D) Ribs
Answer: C
Rationale: The appendicular skeleton includes the bones of the limbs and the girdles
(shoulder and pelvic) . The pelvis (os coxa) is part of the pelvic girdle in the
appendicular skeleton. The sternum, cranium, and ribs are all axial skeleton structures .
Question 7: How many bones make up the axial skeleton?
A) 80
B) 126
C) 206
D) 100
Answer: A
Rationale: The axial skeleton contains 80 bones, consisting of the skull, vertebral
column, and rib cage . The appendicular skeleton contains 126 bones, and the total adult
skeleton contains 206 bones .
