Free Skeletal and Muscular Systems MCQs with Answers
40 Skeletal and Muscular Systems MCQs from Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
The skeletal and muscular systems include bone structure, joints, cartilage, the axial and appendicular skeleton, and the roles of ligaments and tendons. They also cover skeletal muscle organization, the sliding filament mechanism, neuromuscular contraction, and common differences between voluntary skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and smooth muscle.
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40 questions · page 2 of 2
- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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