PHYSIOLOGY II EXAM | ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
ANSWERS
Question 1
When the term biceps, triceps, or quadriceps forms part of a muscle's name, you can assume that:
A) The muscle is composed of two, three or four fascicles, respectively
B) The muscle is able to change direction twice, three times, or four times faster than other
muscles.
C) The muscle has two, three, or four functions, respectively
D) The muscle has two, three, or four insertions, respectively
E) The muscle has two, three, or four origins, respectively.
Correct Answer: E) The muscle has two, three, or four origins, respectively.
Rationale: The prefixes "bi-", "tri-", and "quad-" refer to the number of heads or points of
origin the muscle possesses. For example, the biceps brachii has two origins on the scapula.
Question 2
A muscle that assists the muscle that is primarily responsible for a given action is a(n):
A) Antagonist
B) Originator
C) Prime Mover
D) Synergist
E) Levator
Correct Answer: D) Synergist
Rationale: A synergist helps the prime mover (agonist) by adding extra force to the same
movement or by reducing undesirable or unnecessary movements.
Question 3
Adductor magnus, adductor longus, and adductor brevis are parts of a large muscle mass of the:
A) Anterior compartment of the thigh
B) Posterior compartment of the thigh
C) Medial compartment of the thigh
D) Lateral compartment of the thigh
E) Gluteal region
Correct Answer: C) Medial compartment of the thigh
Rationale: The medial compartment of the thigh is primarily composed of the adductor
group, which functions to adduct the hip.
Question 4
Which of the following muscles attaches to the 12th ribs and fixes their positions during forced
expiration?
A) Inferior intercostal
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B) Internal oblique
C) External oblique
D) Rectus abdominis
E) Quadratus lumborum
Correct Answer: E) Quadratus lumborum
Rationale: The quadratus lumborum is a posterior abdominal wall muscle that stabilizes the
12th rib during respiration and helps with lateral flexion of the vertebral column.
Question 5
An instructor raises his eyebrows because he is very surprised by a student's comment during
class. Which of the following muscles is involved in this surprised expression?
A) Epicranius
B) Orbicularis oculi
C) Platysma
D) Temporalis
E) Levator scapulae
Correct Answer: A) Epicranius
Rationale: The epicranius (specifically the frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis) pulls the
scalp anteriorly and raises the eyebrows, creating the look of surprise.
Question 6
With regard to muscle fiber arrangement in a pennate muscle:
A) The fascicular pattern is circular
B) The fascicles form a triangle
C) The fascicles are short and attach obliquely to a central tendon that runs the length of the
muscle
D) The long axes of the fascicles run parallel to the long axis of the muscle
E) None of the above
Correct Answer: C) The fascicles are short and attach obliquely to a central tendon that
runs the length of the muscle
Rationale: In pennate muscles (like the rectus femoris), the fascicles are arranged like a
feather, attaching at an angle to a central tendon.
Question 7
The names of muscles often indicate the action of the muscle. What does the term levator mean?
A) The muscle flexes and rotates a region
B) The muscle is a fixator and stabilizes a bone or joint
C) The muscle elevates a region
D) The muscle functions as a synergist
E) The muscle pulls a region downward
Correct Answer: C) The muscle elevates a region
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Rationale: "Levator" comes from the Latin word to lift. Examples include the levator
scapulae, which raises the shoulder blade.
Question 8
Which of the following muscles is part of the quadriceps femoris?
A) Biceps femoris
B) Vastus lateralis
C) Sartorius
D) Gracilis
E) Semimembranosus
Correct Answer: B) Vastus lateralis
Rationale: The quadriceps group consists of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus
medialis, and vastus intermedius.
Question 9
Which of the following is NOT a function of the sartorius muscle?
A) Lateral rotation of thigh
B) Flexion of knee
C) Adduction of thigh
D) Flexion of hip
E) All of the above are functions
Correct Answer: C) Adduction of thigh
Rationale: The sartorius is the "tailor's muscle." It flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates the
thigh, and flexes the knee. It does not adduct the thigh.
Question 10
Because you did not do well on your recent anatomy and physiology exam, you leave the
classroom pouting. Which one of these muscles are you using?
A) Mentalis
B) Orbicularis Oris
C) Risorius
D) Levator labii superioris
E) Occipitalis
Correct Answer: A) Mentalis
Rationale: The mentalis muscle protrudes the lower lip and wrinkles the chin, which is the
primary action involved in pouting.
Question 11
The extensor carpi radialis brevis:
A) Extends and abducts the wrist and is short
B) Extends and abducts the wrist and has a small tendon