Massage Therapy Anatomy & Physiology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary role of the parasympathetic nervous system during massage?
- Promotes relaxation and decreases heart rate (Correct answer)
- Triggers the fight-or-flight response
- Increases blood glucose
- Stimulates adrenal glands to release epinephrine
Correct answer: Promotes relaxation and decreases heart rate
Parasympathetic activation during massage promotes the 'rest and digest' state, slowing heart rate and reducing tension.
Question 2: The sciatic nerve passes through or beneath which muscle, making it a common compression point?
- Piriformis (Correct answer)
- Gluteus maximus
- Iliacus
- Quadratus lumborum
Correct answer: Piriformis
In many individuals the sciatic nerve passes through or beneath the piriformis, making piriformis tension a cause of sciatica-like symptoms.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes a tendon?
- Dense regular connective tissue connecting muscle to bone (Correct answer)
- Elastic tissue connecting bone to bone
- Loose connective tissue surrounding organs
- Fibrocartilage found at joint surfaces
Correct answer: Dense regular connective tissue connecting muscle to bone
Tendons are composed of dense regular connective tissue and transmit the force of muscle contractions to bones.
Question 4: The thoracic outlet is bordered by the first rib, clavicle, and which muscle?
- Anterior scalene (Correct answer)
- Pectoralis minor
- Subclavius
- Serratus anterior
Correct answer: Anterior scalene
The costoclavicular space (thoracic outlet) is bordered anteriorly by the clavicle and posteriorly by the first rib and anterior scalene.
Question 5: Which directional term means closer to the point of attachment or trunk of the body?
- Proximal (Correct answer)
- Distal
- Lateral
- Inferior
Correct answer: Proximal
Proximal describes a position nearer to the point of origin or attachment to the trunk.
Question 6: What type of muscle contraction occurs when the muscle lengthens while producing force?
- Eccentric (Correct answer)
- Concentric
- Isometric
- Isotonic
Correct answer: Eccentric
An eccentric contraction occurs when the muscle generates force while being lengthened, such as lowering a weight.
Massage Therapy Anatomy & Physiology 2
What is the primary role of the parasympathetic nervous system during massage?