ACSM-EP Musculoskeletal Anatomy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The femoral triangle contains several important structures. Which muscle forms its medial border?
- Iliopsoas
- Rectus femoris
- Adductor longus (Correct answer)
- Pectineus
Correct answer: Adductor longus
The adductor longus forms the medial border of the femoral triangle, while the inguinal ligament forms the superior border and the sartorius forms the lateral border.
Question 2: Which type of cartilage is found in the intervertebral discs and menisci of the knee?
- Hyaline cartilage
- Elastic cartilage
- Fibrocartilage (Correct answer)
- Articular cartilage
Correct answer: Fibrocartilage
Fibrocartilage, which contains dense collagen fibers, is found in the intervertebral discs and knee menisci where compressive and tensile forces are high.
Question 3: The deltoid muscle has three heads. Which head is the primary shoulder abductor initiating movement from 0–15 degrees?
- Anterior deltoid
- Middle deltoid (Correct answer)
- Posterior deltoid
- All heads equally
Correct answer: Middle deltoid
The middle (lateral) deltoid is the primary mover for shoulder abduction, working after the supraspinatus initiates the first 0–15 degrees of movement.
Question 4: Which muscle is the primary wrist extensor and originates on the lateral epicondyle of the humerus?
- Flexor carpi radialis
- Extensor carpi ulnaris
- Extensor carpi radialis brevis (Correct answer)
- Palmaris longus
Correct answer: Extensor carpi radialis brevis
The extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) is a primary wrist extensor originating from the lateral epicondyle; its overuse is a common cause of lateral epicondylitis.
Question 5: A synarthrotic joint is best characterized as:
- Freely movable with a joint cavity
- Slightly movable with fibrocartilage
- Immovable with fibrous or bony union (Correct answer)
- Movable with a synovial membrane
Correct answer: Immovable with fibrous or bony union
Synarthrotic joints are immovable joints united by fibrous tissue or bone, such as skull sutures and the manubriosternal joint in adults.
Question 6: Which structure is responsible for attaching muscle to bone?
- Ligament
- Fascia
- Tendon (Correct answer)
- Aponeurosis
Correct answer: Tendon
Tendons are dense regular connective tissue structures that attach muscle to bone, transmitting the contractile force of muscle to create skeletal movement.
Question 7: The erector spinae muscle group includes three columns. Which column is most lateral?
- Spinalis
- Longissimus
- Iliocostalis (Correct answer)
- Semispinalis
Correct answer: Iliocostalis
The iliocostalis is the most lateral column of the erector spinae, followed medially by the longissimus and then the spinalis closest to the spine.
ACSM-EP Musculoskeletal Anatomy 3
The femoral triangle contains several important structures.
Which muscle forms its medial border?