SCOTT PILATES WRITTEN ANATOMY
PRACTICE EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES 2025 (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
1. Which muscle is primarily responsible for spinal extension?
A. Rectus abdominis
B. External oblique
C. Erector spinae
D. Transverse abdominis
Answer: C. Erector spinae
Rationale: The erector spinae group runs along the spine and is the primary
mover in spinal extension.
2. What is the primary action of the rectus abdominis?
A. Lateral trunk flexion
B. Trunk rotation
,C. Trunk flexion
D. Spinal extension
Answer: C. Trunk flexion
Rationale: The rectus abdominis flexes the lumbar spine, such as during a
crunch movement.
3. Which of the following muscles is part of the deep core stabilizing system?
A. Rectus abdominis
B. Internal oblique
C. Transverse abdominis
D. Latissimus dorsi
Answer: C. Transverse abdominis
Rationale: The transverse abdominis wraps around the torso and acts like a
corset, providing core stabilization.
4. The diaphragm is the primary muscle used in which function?
A. Flexing the trunk
B. Spinal stabilization
C. Breathing
D. Scapular movement
Answer: C. Breathing
Rationale: The diaphragm contracts and flattens during inhalation, allowing air
to enter the lungs.
,5. What joint action occurs when you bend the knee?
A. Knee extension
B. Hip flexion
C. Knee flexion
D. Ankle dorsiflexion
Answer: C. Knee flexion
Rationale: Flexion at the knee joint decreases the angle between the thigh and
the lower leg.
6. Which muscle is most active in a shoulder bridge exercise?
A. Rectus femoris
B. Iliopsoas
C. Gluteus maximus
D. Sartorius
Answer: C. Gluteus maximus
Rationale: The gluteus maximus is the primary hip extensor, engaged when
lifting the hips during a bridge.
7. What is the primary action of the pectoralis major?
A. Shoulder flexion and adduction
B. Shoulder abduction
, C. Scapular elevation
D. Elbow flexion
Answer: A. Shoulder flexion and adduction
Rationale: The pectoralis major helps bring the arm forward and across the
body.
8. The scapula is primarily stabilized by which group of muscles?
A. Rotator cuff
B. Serratus anterior and trapezius
C. Biceps brachii
D. Deltoids
Answer: B. Serratus anterior and trapezius
Rationale: These muscles work together to stabilize and rotate the scapula
during movement.
9. What is the anatomical term for movement away from the midline?
A. Adduction
B. Abduction
C. Flexion
D. Extension
Answer: B. Abduction
Rationale: Abduction refers to moving a limb away from the body's centerline,
such as lifting the arms sideways.
PRACTICE EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES 2025 (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
1. Which muscle is primarily responsible for spinal extension?
A. Rectus abdominis
B. External oblique
C. Erector spinae
D. Transverse abdominis
Answer: C. Erector spinae
Rationale: The erector spinae group runs along the spine and is the primary
mover in spinal extension.
2. What is the primary action of the rectus abdominis?
A. Lateral trunk flexion
B. Trunk rotation
,C. Trunk flexion
D. Spinal extension
Answer: C. Trunk flexion
Rationale: The rectus abdominis flexes the lumbar spine, such as during a
crunch movement.
3. Which of the following muscles is part of the deep core stabilizing system?
A. Rectus abdominis
B. Internal oblique
C. Transverse abdominis
D. Latissimus dorsi
Answer: C. Transverse abdominis
Rationale: The transverse abdominis wraps around the torso and acts like a
corset, providing core stabilization.
4. The diaphragm is the primary muscle used in which function?
A. Flexing the trunk
B. Spinal stabilization
C. Breathing
D. Scapular movement
Answer: C. Breathing
Rationale: The diaphragm contracts and flattens during inhalation, allowing air
to enter the lungs.
,5. What joint action occurs when you bend the knee?
A. Knee extension
B. Hip flexion
C. Knee flexion
D. Ankle dorsiflexion
Answer: C. Knee flexion
Rationale: Flexion at the knee joint decreases the angle between the thigh and
the lower leg.
6. Which muscle is most active in a shoulder bridge exercise?
A. Rectus femoris
B. Iliopsoas
C. Gluteus maximus
D. Sartorius
Answer: C. Gluteus maximus
Rationale: The gluteus maximus is the primary hip extensor, engaged when
lifting the hips during a bridge.
7. What is the primary action of the pectoralis major?
A. Shoulder flexion and adduction
B. Shoulder abduction
, C. Scapular elevation
D. Elbow flexion
Answer: A. Shoulder flexion and adduction
Rationale: The pectoralis major helps bring the arm forward and across the
body.
8. The scapula is primarily stabilized by which group of muscles?
A. Rotator cuff
B. Serratus anterior and trapezius
C. Biceps brachii
D. Deltoids
Answer: B. Serratus anterior and trapezius
Rationale: These muscles work together to stabilize and rotate the scapula
during movement.
9. What is the anatomical term for movement away from the midline?
A. Adduction
B. Abduction
C. Flexion
D. Extension
Answer: B. Abduction
Rationale: Abduction refers to moving a limb away from the body's centerline,
such as lifting the arms sideways.
