HCR 240
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
FINAL REVIEW
2026–2027 –
MODULES 4–7
STUDY GUIDE
HCR 240 Pathophysiology Final Review Exam
Module 4: Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal
Pathophysiology
Bone Structure and Function
,1. What is the medical term for the study of inflammation of the muscles, bones,
and joints?
A. Orthopedics
B. Rheumatology
C. Myology
D. Arthrology
Rationale: Rheumatology is the study of inflammation of the muscles, bones, and joints
.
2. Hard, dense, strong bone that forms the outer layer of bone is called:
A. Trabecular bone
B. Cortical bone
C. Cancellous bone
D. Spongy bone
Rationale: Cortical bone (also called compact bone) is the hard, dense, strong outer
layer. Trabecular bone is the interior spongy bone .
3. The interior, spongy bone with a porous, honeycomb structure is called:
A. Cortical bone
B. Compact bone
C. Trabecular bone
D. Periosteum
Rationale: Trabecular (cancellous) bone is the spongy inner layer with a honeycomb
structure .
4. What is the network of tubes running through compact bone that contains
blood vessels and nerves?
,A. Volkmann canals
B. Haversian canals
C. Canaliculi
D. Lacunae
Rationale: Haversian canals form a network of tubes through compact bone containing
blood vessels and nerves .
5. Which canals connect Haversian canals?
A. Haversian canals
B. Volkmann canals
C. Canaliculi
D. Lamellae
Rationale: Volkmann canals connect Haversian canals to each other and to the bone
surface .
6. Bone-forming cells are called:
A. Osteoclasts
B. Osteoblasts
C. Osteocytes
D. Chondrocytes
Rationale: Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells. Osteoclasts are bone-destroying cells .
7. Bone-destroying cells are called:
A. Osteoblasts
B. Osteoclasts
C. Osteocytes
D. Chondrocytes
Rationale: Osteoclasts are bone-destroying cells responsible for bone resorption .
, 8. Which cells secrete extracellular matrix of cartilage?
A. Osteoblasts
B. Osteoclasts
C. Chondrocytes
D. Fibroblasts
Rationale: Chondrocytes are cells that secrete extracellular matrix of cartilage .
Joint Structure and Function
9. Freely movable joints composed of an outer fibrous capsule, synovial
membranes, articular cartilage, and synovial fluid are called:
A. Fibrous joints
B. Cartilaginous joints
C. Synovial joints
D. Amphiarthroses
Rationale: Synovial joints are freely movable and include the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip,
and fingers .
10. What is the specific role of articular cartilage in a synovial joint?
A. Secrete synovial fluid
B. Protect the ends of bones and keep them from rubbing together
C. Connect muscle to bone
D. Provide blood supply to the joint
Rationale: Articular cartilage is hyaline cartilage that covers ends of bones in synovial
joints, protecting them from friction .
11. Knuckle joints of the fingers are called:
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
FINAL REVIEW
2026–2027 –
MODULES 4–7
STUDY GUIDE
HCR 240 Pathophysiology Final Review Exam
Module 4: Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal
Pathophysiology
Bone Structure and Function
,1. What is the medical term for the study of inflammation of the muscles, bones,
and joints?
A. Orthopedics
B. Rheumatology
C. Myology
D. Arthrology
Rationale: Rheumatology is the study of inflammation of the muscles, bones, and joints
.
2. Hard, dense, strong bone that forms the outer layer of bone is called:
A. Trabecular bone
B. Cortical bone
C. Cancellous bone
D. Spongy bone
Rationale: Cortical bone (also called compact bone) is the hard, dense, strong outer
layer. Trabecular bone is the interior spongy bone .
3. The interior, spongy bone with a porous, honeycomb structure is called:
A. Cortical bone
B. Compact bone
C. Trabecular bone
D. Periosteum
Rationale: Trabecular (cancellous) bone is the spongy inner layer with a honeycomb
structure .
4. What is the network of tubes running through compact bone that contains
blood vessels and nerves?
,A. Volkmann canals
B. Haversian canals
C. Canaliculi
D. Lacunae
Rationale: Haversian canals form a network of tubes through compact bone containing
blood vessels and nerves .
5. Which canals connect Haversian canals?
A. Haversian canals
B. Volkmann canals
C. Canaliculi
D. Lamellae
Rationale: Volkmann canals connect Haversian canals to each other and to the bone
surface .
6. Bone-forming cells are called:
A. Osteoclasts
B. Osteoblasts
C. Osteocytes
D. Chondrocytes
Rationale: Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells. Osteoclasts are bone-destroying cells .
7. Bone-destroying cells are called:
A. Osteoblasts
B. Osteoclasts
C. Osteocytes
D. Chondrocytes
Rationale: Osteoclasts are bone-destroying cells responsible for bone resorption .
, 8. Which cells secrete extracellular matrix of cartilage?
A. Osteoblasts
B. Osteoclasts
C. Chondrocytes
D. Fibroblasts
Rationale: Chondrocytes are cells that secrete extracellular matrix of cartilage .
Joint Structure and Function
9. Freely movable joints composed of an outer fibrous capsule, synovial
membranes, articular cartilage, and synovial fluid are called:
A. Fibrous joints
B. Cartilaginous joints
C. Synovial joints
D. Amphiarthroses
Rationale: Synovial joints are freely movable and include the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip,
and fingers .
10. What is the specific role of articular cartilage in a synovial joint?
A. Secrete synovial fluid
B. Protect the ends of bones and keep them from rubbing together
C. Connect muscle to bone
D. Provide blood supply to the joint
Rationale: Articular cartilage is hyaline cartilage that covers ends of bones in synovial
joints, protecting them from friction .
11. Knuckle joints of the fingers are called:
