All Free Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing MCQs with Answers

Every Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

400 questions · page 18 of 20

  • A. Collagen fibres in the periosteum
  • B. Mineral salts in the bone matrix
  • C. Yellow marrow inside the medullary cavity
  • D. Synovial fluid around the bone ends

Explanation: Mineral salts, mainly calcium phosphate, make bone hard and resistant to compression.

Correct answer: Mineral salts in the bone matrix
  • A. Epiphyseal plate
  • B. Medullary cavity
  • C. Periosteum
  • D. Articular capsule

Explanation: The epiphyseal plate contains cartilage that allows longitudinal growth of a long bone.

Correct answer: Epiphyseal plate
  • A. Fibrous joint
  • B. Cartilaginous joint
  • C. Synovial joint
  • D. Fixed suture joint

Explanation: Synovial joints have a joint cavity, articular cartilage and synovial fluid, allowing substantial movement.

Correct answer: Synovial joint
  • A. Hyaline cartilage
  • B. Elastic cartilage
  • C. Fibrocartilage
  • D. Calcified cartilage

Explanation: Fibrocartilage contains strong collagen fibres and resists compression, making it suitable for intervertebral discs.

Correct answer: Fibrocartilage
  • A. Fascicle
  • B. Myofilament
  • C. Sarcolemma
  • D. Motor end plate

Explanation: A fascicle is a bundle of skeletal muscle fibres surrounded by connective tissue.

Correct answer: Fascicle
  • A. Involuntary contraction without striations
  • B. Voluntary control with visible striations
  • C. Branching cells with intercalated discs
  • D. Spindle-shaped cells with single nuclei

Explanation: Skeletal muscle is striated and usually under voluntary control. Branching cells with intercalated discs describe cardiac muscle, while…

Correct answer: Voluntary control with visible striations
Moderate
  • A. An ankle ligament
  • B. The Achilles tendon
  • C. The tibial nerve
  • D. The articular cartilage

Explanation: An inversion injury commonly stretches or tears the lateral ankle ligaments, causing swelling and joint instability.

Correct answer: An ankle ligament
Easy
  • A. Skeletal muscle
  • B. Cardiac muscle
  • C. Smooth muscle
  • D. Dense connective tissue

Explanation: Cardiac muscle contracts rhythmically and involuntarily to pump blood, even though it is striated.

Correct answer: Cardiac muscle
Fairly easy
  • A. Acetylcholinesterase
  • B. Troponin
  • C. Myosin ATPase
  • D. Carbonic anhydrase

Explanation: Acetylcholinesterase rapidly breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, allowing skeletal muscle stimulation to end.

Correct answer: Acetylcholinesterase
  • A. Muscle hypertrophy
  • B. Muscle atrophy
  • C. Bone hyperplasia
  • D. Joint ankylosis

Explanation: Muscle atrophy is a decrease in muscle size and strength, commonly caused by disuse, immobilisation or certain nerve disorders.

Correct answer: Muscle atrophy
  • A. Diaphysis
  • B. Epiphysis
  • C. Metaphysis
  • D. Epiphyseal plate

Explanation: The diaphysis is the long central shaft of a long bone. The epiphyses are the enlarged ends, while the metaphysis lies between the shaft…

Correct answer: Diaphysis
  • A. Synovial membrane
  • B. Fibrous capsule
  • C. Articular cartilage
  • D. Ligament

Explanation: The synovial membrane produces synovial fluid, which lubricates the joint and helps nourish the articular cartilage.

Correct answer: Synovial membrane
  • A. Tendon
  • B. Ligament
  • C. Meniscus
  • D. Bursa

Explanation: A tendon connects a muscle to a bone and helps move and stabilise a joint.

Correct answer: Tendon
  • A. Sternum
  • B. Femur
  • C. Patella
  • D. Vertebra

Explanation: The sternum is a flat bone that helps protect structures in the chest and provides attachment for ribs.

Correct answer: Sternum
Hard
  • A. Avascular necrosis
  • B. Scoliosis
  • C. Muscle hypertrophy
  • D. Tendon shortening

Explanation: Avascular necrosis occurs when inadequate blood supply causes bone tissue to die, and it is a recognised concern after some femoral neck…

Correct answer: Avascular necrosis
  • A. Extension
  • B. Flexion
  • C. Abduction
  • D. Rotation

Explanation: Extension increases the angle between bones and straightens a joint. Flexion decreases the angle, while abduction moves a limb away from…

Correct answer: Extension
  • A. Actin
  • B. Myosin
  • C. Troponin
  • D. Tropomyosin

Explanation: Actin forms the thin filaments, whereas myosin forms the thick filaments.

Correct answer: Actin
Moderate
  • A. Weak voluntary muscle contraction
  • B. Continuous bone growth
  • C. Increased red blood cell production
  • D. Excessive synovial fluid formation

Explanation: Acetylcholine must bind to receptors on the muscle fibre to initiate a skeletal muscle action potential.

Correct answer: Weak voluntary muscle contraction
  • A. Sarcoplasmic reticulum
  • B. Sarcolemma
  • C. T-tubule
  • D. Mitochondrion

Explanation: The sarcoplasmic reticulum stores and releases calcium for skeletal muscle contraction.

Correct answer: Sarcoplasmic reticulum
  • A. It is striated and usually under voluntary control
  • B. It is non-striated and controlled by hormones only
  • C. It is branched and joined by intercalated discs
  • D. It is found only in the walls of hollow organs

Explanation: Skeletal muscle is striated and is generally controlled voluntarily through the somatic nervous system.

Correct answer: It is striated and usually under voluntary control