SCOTT PILATES WRITTEN ANATOMY
PRACTICE EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES 2025 (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
1. Which muscle is the primary mover during spinal flexion?
A. Erector Spinae
B. Multifidus
C. Rectus Abdominis
D. Quadratus Lumborum
Correct Answer: C. Rectus Abdominis
Rationale: Rectus abdominis flexes the spine, bringing the ribcage toward the
pelvis.
2. The transverse abdominis primarily functions to:
A. Flex the trunk
B. Rotate the spine
C. Extend the back
,D. Stabilize the core
Correct Answer: D. Stabilize the core
Rationale: The transverse abdominis acts like a corset and supports core
stability, essential in Pilates.
3. Which muscle eccentrically controls the descent in a Pilates roll-up?
A. Hip flexors
B. Erector spinae
C. Rectus abdominis
D. Gluteus maximus
Correct Answer: C. Rectus abdominis
Rationale: It lengthens under tension to control the spine as it lowers to the
mat.
4. Which is a deep spinal stabilizer?
A. Erector spinae
B. Quadratus lumborum
C. Multifidus
D. Latissimus dorsi
Correct Answer: C. Multifidus
Rationale: Multifidus provides segmental spinal stability and works with the
core.
,5. The shoulder joint is what type of joint?
A. Hinge
B. Ball and socket
C. Pivot
D. Saddle
Correct Answer: B. Ball and socket
Rationale: The glenohumeral joint allows multi-directional movement.
6. Which muscle stabilizes the pelvis during single-leg stance?
A. Gluteus maximus
B. Gluteus medius
C. Iliopsoas
D. Rectus femoris
Correct Answer: B. Gluteus medius
Rationale: Gluteus medius prevents pelvic drop during gait and lateral leg
movements.
7. Primary muscles during spinal extension include:
A. Rectus abdominis
B. Erector spinae
C. Psoas major
D. Obliques
, Correct Answer: B. Erector spinae
Rationale: This muscle group extends the spine, as in Swan or prone extension.
8. Which is NOT a rotator cuff muscle?
A. Infraspinatus
B. Supraspinatus
C. Teres major
D. Subscapularis
Correct Answer: C. Teres major
Rationale: The rotator cuff includes supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor,
and subscapularis.
9. Movements in the sagittal plane include:
A. Abduction
B. Rotation
C. Flexion and extension
D. Lateral flexion
Correct Answer: C. Flexion and extension
Rationale: These movements occur forward and backward along the sagittal
plane.
10. Tendons connect:
PRACTICE EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES 2025 (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
1. Which muscle is the primary mover during spinal flexion?
A. Erector Spinae
B. Multifidus
C. Rectus Abdominis
D. Quadratus Lumborum
Correct Answer: C. Rectus Abdominis
Rationale: Rectus abdominis flexes the spine, bringing the ribcage toward the
pelvis.
2. The transverse abdominis primarily functions to:
A. Flex the trunk
B. Rotate the spine
C. Extend the back
,D. Stabilize the core
Correct Answer: D. Stabilize the core
Rationale: The transverse abdominis acts like a corset and supports core
stability, essential in Pilates.
3. Which muscle eccentrically controls the descent in a Pilates roll-up?
A. Hip flexors
B. Erector spinae
C. Rectus abdominis
D. Gluteus maximus
Correct Answer: C. Rectus abdominis
Rationale: It lengthens under tension to control the spine as it lowers to the
mat.
4. Which is a deep spinal stabilizer?
A. Erector spinae
B. Quadratus lumborum
C. Multifidus
D. Latissimus dorsi
Correct Answer: C. Multifidus
Rationale: Multifidus provides segmental spinal stability and works with the
core.
,5. The shoulder joint is what type of joint?
A. Hinge
B. Ball and socket
C. Pivot
D. Saddle
Correct Answer: B. Ball and socket
Rationale: The glenohumeral joint allows multi-directional movement.
6. Which muscle stabilizes the pelvis during single-leg stance?
A. Gluteus maximus
B. Gluteus medius
C. Iliopsoas
D. Rectus femoris
Correct Answer: B. Gluteus medius
Rationale: Gluteus medius prevents pelvic drop during gait and lateral leg
movements.
7. Primary muscles during spinal extension include:
A. Rectus abdominis
B. Erector spinae
C. Psoas major
D. Obliques
, Correct Answer: B. Erector spinae
Rationale: This muscle group extends the spine, as in Swan or prone extension.
8. Which is NOT a rotator cuff muscle?
A. Infraspinatus
B. Supraspinatus
C. Teres major
D. Subscapularis
Correct Answer: C. Teres major
Rationale: The rotator cuff includes supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor,
and subscapularis.
9. Movements in the sagittal plane include:
A. Abduction
B. Rotation
C. Flexion and extension
D. Lateral flexion
Correct Answer: C. Flexion and extension
Rationale: These movements occur forward and backward along the sagittal
plane.
10. Tendons connect:
