All Free General Anatomy MCQs with Answers

• A. Medial surface of lateral pterygoid plate
• B. Lateral surface of medial pterygoid plate
• C. Medial surface of medial pterygoid plate
• D. Lateral surface of lateral pterygoid plate

Explanation: The medial pterygoid takes its deep head mainly from the medial surface of the lateral pterygoid plate, with additional origin from nearby…

• A. Medial ( INTERNAL) pterygoid muscle
• B. Lateral (EXTERNAL) Pterygoid muscle
• C. Masseter muscle
• D. Temporalis muscle

Explanation: The lateral pterygoid pulls the mandibular condyle and articular disc forward, producing protrusion and assisting depression of the…

• A. Buccinator
• B. Temporalis
• C. Ganinus
• D. Lateral pterygoid

Explanation: Temporalis elevates the mandible through its vertical fibres and retracts it through its posterior fibres.

• A. Sternomastoid
• B. Platysma
• C. Digastric
• D. Trapezius

Explanation: The sternocleidomastoid is the major surface landmark dividing the neck into anterior and posterior triangles.

• A. Levator palpebrae superioris
• B. Orbicularis oculi
• C. Constrictor pupili
• D. Dilator pupili

Explanation: Facial palsy damages the facial nerve, paralysing muscles of facial expression such as orbicularis oculi and causing inability to close…

• A. Lateral pterygoid
• B. Temporalis
• C. Medial pterygoid
• D. Masseter

Explanation: Retraction of the mandible is mainly performed by the posterior fibres of temporalis, which pull the mandibular condyle backward.

• A. SO and IR
• B. SR and 10
• C. LR and SR
• D. MR and SR

Explanation: Elevation of the eyeball is produced by the superior rectus and inferior oblique muscles.

• A. Buccinator
• B. Depressor anguli oris
• C. Mentalis
• D. Platysma

Explanation: Platysma arises from fascia over the upper thorax and shoulder and inserts into the mandible and lower face, rather than originating from…

• A. Foramen lacerum
• B. Foramen rotundum
• C. Foramen spinosum
• D. Foramen ovale

Explanation: The accessory meningeal artery enters the cranial cavity through the foramen ovale, often accompanying the mandibular nerve.

• A. Oculomotor nerve
• B. Optic
• C. Ophthalmic division of trigeminal
• D. Trochlear

Explanation: The optic nerve passes through the optic canal, not the superior orbital fissure.

• A. Foramen rotundum
• B. Foramen lacerum
• C. Juglar foramen
• D. Zygomatic nerve

Explanation: The jugular foramen is an opening in the posterior cranial fossa and is present by childhood.

• A. Transverse sinus
• B. Promontory of middle ear
• C. Internal acoustic meatus
• D. Mastoid antrum

Explanation: The suprameatal triangle on the mastoid surface overlies the mastoid antrum, an air-filled extension of the middle-ear system.

• A. Ethmoid
• B. Sphenoid
• C. Nasal
• D. Mandible

Explanation: The sphenoid is often described as resembling a bat with outstretched wings because of its broad greater and lesser wings.

• A. Accessory meningeal artery
• B. Middle meningeal artery
• C. Mandibular nerve
• D. Maxillary nerve

Explanation: The middle meningeal artery enters the cranial cavity through the foramen spinosum.

• A. Nasal
• B. Lacrimal
• C. Inerior nasal concha
• D. Vomer

Explanation: The vomer is the single unpaired bone of the facial skeleton and forms part of the nasal septum.

• A. 18
• B. 20
• C. 22
• D. 40

Explanation: An adult skull has 22 bones: 8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones. This count excludes the auditory ossicles and hyoid bone.

• A. Maxilla and the sphenoid bone
• B. Sphenoid and the ethmoid bone
• C. Sphenoid and the vomer
• D. None of the above

Explanation: The palatine bone lies between the maxilla anteriorly and the sphenoid posteriorly, helping connect these bones.

• A. Between roots of premolars
• B. Between roots of molars
• C. Near canine
• D. Between Incisions

Explanation: The mental foramen usually opens on the body of the mandible below or between the roots of the premolar teeth.

• A. Genial tubercle
• B. Mylohyoid ridge
• C. Lingula
• D. Mental foramen

Explanation: The mental foramen is on the external, lateral surface of the mandible, not its internal surface.

• A. Frontal
• B. Zygomatic
• C. Palatine
• D. Temporal

Explanation: The maxilla articulates with the frontal, zygomatic, and palatine bones, among others. It does not articulate with the temporal bone.