SPECIAL PURPOSE EXAMINATION (SPEX) | 2026/2027 LATEST
UPDATED VERSION | QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
GRADED A+
Patella relative to metatarsals -
ANSWER
Patella is proximal (closer to the hip joint).
Proximal vs. distal -
ANSWER
Proximal = closer to point of attachment; Distal = farther away.
Fibula -
ANSWER
Long bone; provides lateral support and muscle attachment.
Periosteum -
ANSWER
Outer membrane of bone with blood vessels and nerves; aids repair.
Articular cartilage -
ANSWER
Smooth tissue covering joint surfaces; reduces friction and absorbs shock.
Axial vs. appendicular skeleton -
ANSWER
Axial protects vital organs; appendicular enables movement.
Elbow joint bones -
ANSWER
Humerus, radius, and ulna.
,Radioulnar joint type -
ANSWER
Pivot joint allowing pronation/supination.
Origin vs. insertion -
ANSWER
Origin = fixed; Insertion = moves during contraction.
Examples of bone types -
ANSWER
Flat - sternum; Long - femur; Irregular - vertebra.
Tendon vs. ligament -
ANSWER
Tendon connects muscle to bone; ligament connects bone to bone.
Rectus femoris role -
ANSWER
Agonist in knee extension.
Antagonist muscle -
ANSWER
Opposes prime mover; hamstrings oppose quadriceps.
Synergist -
ANSWER
Assists prime mover; brachialis assists biceps.
Flexion at elbow -
ANSWER
Biceps brachii.
, Extension at elbow -
ANSWER
Triceps brachii.
Smooth muscle -
ANSWER
Involuntary and non-striated.
Cardiac vs skeletal -
ANSWER
Cardiac = involuntary/striated; skeletal = voluntary/striated.
Structure-function relationship -
ANSWER
Long fibres = movement; thick fibres = strength.
Voluntary vs involuntary -
ANSWER
Voluntary = skeletal; Involuntary = smooth/cardiac.
Isotonic vs isometric -
ANSWER
Isotonic = muscle changes length; Isometric = no length change.
Concentric contraction -
ANSWER
Muscle shortens while producing force (lifting).
Eccentric contraction -
ANSWER
UPDATED VERSION | QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
GRADED A+
Patella relative to metatarsals -
ANSWER
Patella is proximal (closer to the hip joint).
Proximal vs. distal -
ANSWER
Proximal = closer to point of attachment; Distal = farther away.
Fibula -
ANSWER
Long bone; provides lateral support and muscle attachment.
Periosteum -
ANSWER
Outer membrane of bone with blood vessels and nerves; aids repair.
Articular cartilage -
ANSWER
Smooth tissue covering joint surfaces; reduces friction and absorbs shock.
Axial vs. appendicular skeleton -
ANSWER
Axial protects vital organs; appendicular enables movement.
Elbow joint bones -
ANSWER
Humerus, radius, and ulna.
,Radioulnar joint type -
ANSWER
Pivot joint allowing pronation/supination.
Origin vs. insertion -
ANSWER
Origin = fixed; Insertion = moves during contraction.
Examples of bone types -
ANSWER
Flat - sternum; Long - femur; Irregular - vertebra.
Tendon vs. ligament -
ANSWER
Tendon connects muscle to bone; ligament connects bone to bone.
Rectus femoris role -
ANSWER
Agonist in knee extension.
Antagonist muscle -
ANSWER
Opposes prime mover; hamstrings oppose quadriceps.
Synergist -
ANSWER
Assists prime mover; brachialis assists biceps.
Flexion at elbow -
ANSWER
Biceps brachii.
, Extension at elbow -
ANSWER
Triceps brachii.
Smooth muscle -
ANSWER
Involuntary and non-striated.
Cardiac vs skeletal -
ANSWER
Cardiac = involuntary/striated; skeletal = voluntary/striated.
Structure-function relationship -
ANSWER
Long fibres = movement; thick fibres = strength.
Voluntary vs involuntary -
ANSWER
Voluntary = skeletal; Involuntary = smooth/cardiac.
Isotonic vs isometric -
ANSWER
Isotonic = muscle changes length; Isometric = no length change.
Concentric contraction -
ANSWER
Muscle shortens while producing force (lifting).
Eccentric contraction -
ANSWER
