High Yield Anatomy Exam 2025| Actual
Questions and Correct Answers
Is ureteric pain usually referred pain? Explain.
Answer: Yes; conveys pain sensation to T11–L2 through visceral afferent fibers
Explanation: Ureteric pain is visceral, often referred to the flank or groin due to shared nerve
pathways.
What is the action of the quadratus lumborum?
Answer: Extension and lateral flexion of the vertebral column
Explanation: This muscle stabilizes and moves the spine, located in the posterior abdominal
wall.
What do anterior rami of the lumbar plexus supply?
Answer: Skin and muscles of the inferior trunk and lower limb
Explanation: The lumbar plexus (L1–L4) innervates the lower body.
What is the only nerve that pierces through the psoas major muscle?
Answer: Genitofemoral nerve
Explanation: This nerve (L1–L2) passes through the psoas to supply the groin and thigh.
What nerve is responsible for the cremaster muscle/reflex? What spinal nerves?
Answer: Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve; L1 and L2
Explanation: This nerve mediates the cremasteric reflex, elevating the testis.
The prostate is inferior to the ____, and anterior to the ____.
Answer: Bladder; rectum
Explanation: The prostate’s position allows digital rectal examination for assessment.
,What is the significance of the median lobe of the prostate?
Answer: Prostatic urethra passes through it; enlargement compresses the urethra, causing urinary
obstruction
Explanation: Benign prostatic hyperplasia often affects the median lobe, impacting urination.
The _____ surrounds the prostate, which drains into the _____, which connects with the _____.
This is thought to be the route of _____ of prostate cancer.
Answer: Venous plexus; internal iliac veins; vertebral venous plexus; bone metastasis
Explanation: The prostate’s venous drainage facilitates cancer spread to the vertebrae.
What is the uterus (womb)?
Answer: Thick-walled, pear-shaped, hollow muscular organ
Explanation: The uterus supports fetal development during pregnancy.
What are true ribs?
1st-7th ribs attaching directly to the sternum through costal cartilage
What are false ribs?
8th-10th ribs attaching to the sternum indirectly through cartilage of the 7th ribs
(connect to cartilage first before sternum)
The 8th and 10th ribs articulate to the 7th coastal cartilage and form the...
costal margin (7th-10th)
*inflammation can be found here
What are floating ribs?
11th-12th ribs that do not attach to the sternum
,The head of the rib joins with the ____.
The neck of the rib joins with the ____.
vertebral body
transverse process/ vertebral bone
What occupies the intercostal spaces?
Where is it located?
From SUPERIOR to INFERIOR
"VAN" bundle
Anterior/ Posterior Intercostal vein
Anterior/ Posterior Intercostal artery
Intercostal nerve
located in the costal groove
What are the special features about the sternal angle (of Louis)?
the junction of the manubrium and sternal body
1. level of bifurcation of the trachea
2. corresponds with the upper border of the atria and heart
3. joint with the 2nd costal cartilage (rib)
4. opposite to the IV-disc T4/5
What is the primary muscle of inspiration?
diaphragm
What is the insertion of the diaphragm?
central tendon
What is the innervation of the diaphragm?
phrenic nerve (C3-C5)
, What is the action of the diaphragm?
upon contraction, the diaphragm descends and increases the volume of thoracic cavity
What are the 3 parts of the diaphragm?
1. sternal part
2. costal part (attach to the internal surface of the inferior 6 costal cartilages and ribs)
3. lumbar part (arises from the median and lateral arcuate ligaments)
What are there 3 diaphragm openings and their location?
I-8, E-10, A-12
1. caval opening (T8): inferior vena cava (IVC)
2. esophageal hiatus (T10): esophagus
3. aortic hiatus (T12): aorta
What 2 structures pass through the esophageal hiatus?
1. esophagus
2. anterior and posterior vagus nerve (vagal trunks)
What 3 structures pass through the aortic hiatus?
1. aorta
2. azygos vein
3. thoracic duct
What are the 5 intercostal muscles and their action?
1. external intercostal muscles (elevates ribs) ----->
2. internal intercostal muscles (depresses ribs) <------
3. innermost intercostal muscles (depresses ribs)
4. subcostal muscles (depresses ribs- weak)
Questions and Correct Answers
Is ureteric pain usually referred pain? Explain.
Answer: Yes; conveys pain sensation to T11–L2 through visceral afferent fibers
Explanation: Ureteric pain is visceral, often referred to the flank or groin due to shared nerve
pathways.
What is the action of the quadratus lumborum?
Answer: Extension and lateral flexion of the vertebral column
Explanation: This muscle stabilizes and moves the spine, located in the posterior abdominal
wall.
What do anterior rami of the lumbar plexus supply?
Answer: Skin and muscles of the inferior trunk and lower limb
Explanation: The lumbar plexus (L1–L4) innervates the lower body.
What is the only nerve that pierces through the psoas major muscle?
Answer: Genitofemoral nerve
Explanation: This nerve (L1–L2) passes through the psoas to supply the groin and thigh.
What nerve is responsible for the cremaster muscle/reflex? What spinal nerves?
Answer: Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve; L1 and L2
Explanation: This nerve mediates the cremasteric reflex, elevating the testis.
The prostate is inferior to the ____, and anterior to the ____.
Answer: Bladder; rectum
Explanation: The prostate’s position allows digital rectal examination for assessment.
,What is the significance of the median lobe of the prostate?
Answer: Prostatic urethra passes through it; enlargement compresses the urethra, causing urinary
obstruction
Explanation: Benign prostatic hyperplasia often affects the median lobe, impacting urination.
The _____ surrounds the prostate, which drains into the _____, which connects with the _____.
This is thought to be the route of _____ of prostate cancer.
Answer: Venous plexus; internal iliac veins; vertebral venous plexus; bone metastasis
Explanation: The prostate’s venous drainage facilitates cancer spread to the vertebrae.
What is the uterus (womb)?
Answer: Thick-walled, pear-shaped, hollow muscular organ
Explanation: The uterus supports fetal development during pregnancy.
What are true ribs?
1st-7th ribs attaching directly to the sternum through costal cartilage
What are false ribs?
8th-10th ribs attaching to the sternum indirectly through cartilage of the 7th ribs
(connect to cartilage first before sternum)
The 8th and 10th ribs articulate to the 7th coastal cartilage and form the...
costal margin (7th-10th)
*inflammation can be found here
What are floating ribs?
11th-12th ribs that do not attach to the sternum
,The head of the rib joins with the ____.
The neck of the rib joins with the ____.
vertebral body
transverse process/ vertebral bone
What occupies the intercostal spaces?
Where is it located?
From SUPERIOR to INFERIOR
"VAN" bundle
Anterior/ Posterior Intercostal vein
Anterior/ Posterior Intercostal artery
Intercostal nerve
located in the costal groove
What are the special features about the sternal angle (of Louis)?
the junction of the manubrium and sternal body
1. level of bifurcation of the trachea
2. corresponds with the upper border of the atria and heart
3. joint with the 2nd costal cartilage (rib)
4. opposite to the IV-disc T4/5
What is the primary muscle of inspiration?
diaphragm
What is the insertion of the diaphragm?
central tendon
What is the innervation of the diaphragm?
phrenic nerve (C3-C5)
, What is the action of the diaphragm?
upon contraction, the diaphragm descends and increases the volume of thoracic cavity
What are the 3 parts of the diaphragm?
1. sternal part
2. costal part (attach to the internal surface of the inferior 6 costal cartilages and ribs)
3. lumbar part (arises from the median and lateral arcuate ligaments)
What are there 3 diaphragm openings and their location?
I-8, E-10, A-12
1. caval opening (T8): inferior vena cava (IVC)
2. esophageal hiatus (T10): esophagus
3. aortic hiatus (T12): aorta
What 2 structures pass through the esophageal hiatus?
1. esophagus
2. anterior and posterior vagus nerve (vagal trunks)
What 3 structures pass through the aortic hiatus?
1. aorta
2. azygos vein
3. thoracic duct
What are the 5 intercostal muscles and their action?
1. external intercostal muscles (elevates ribs) ----->
2. internal intercostal muscles (depresses ribs) <------
3. innermost intercostal muscles (depresses ribs)
4. subcostal muscles (depresses ribs- weak)
