OT Anatomy & Physiology 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which anatomical landmark is used to locate the median nerve at the wrist for carpal tunnel assessment?
- Ulnar styloid process
- Palmaris longus tendon (Correct answer)
- Flexor carpi radialis tendon
- Pisiform bone
Correct answer: Palmaris longus tendon
The median nerve lies just radial (lateral) to the palmaris longus tendon at the wrist; this tendon serves as a reliable surface landmark for nerve localization.
Question 2: During normal gait, which phase accounts for approximately 60% of the gait cycle?
- Swing phase
- Double support phase
- Stance phase (Correct answer)
- Pre-swing phase
Correct answer: Stance phase
Stance phase (foot contact with ground) comprises approximately 60% of the gait cycle, while swing phase accounts for the remaining 40%.
Question 3: Which part of the nephron is primarily responsible for reabsorption of glucose and amino acids?
- Loop of Henle (descending)
- Distal convoluted tubule
- Proximal convoluted tubule (Correct answer)
- Collecting duct
Correct answer: Proximal convoluted tubule
The proximal convoluted tubule reabsorbs approximately 65% of filtered sodium, water, glucose, and amino acids via active transport mechanisms.
Question 4: A client with lateral epicondylitis has pain with which motion that stretches the common extensor origin?
- Wrist flexion with elbow extension (Correct answer)
- Wrist extension with elbow flexion
- Forearm supination with elbow extended
- Shoulder internal rotation
Correct answer: Wrist flexion with elbow extension
Wrist flexion with elbow extension places maximal tension on the common extensor tendon origin at the lateral epicondyle, provoking pain in lateral epicondylitis.
Question 5: Which structure connects the two cerebral hemispheres and is critical for interhemispheric communication?
- Internal capsule
- Corpus callosum (Correct answer)
- Basal ganglia
- Thalamus
Correct answer: Corpus callosum
The corpus callosum is the largest white matter commissure, containing approximately 200–300 million axons that relay information between the left and right cerebral hemispheres.
Question 6: Which vertebral level corresponds to the umbilicus dermatome, useful for assessing thoracic spinal cord injury?
- T6
- T8
- T10 (Correct answer)
- T12
Correct answer: T10
The T10 dermatome corresponds to the umbilicus level; preservation of sensation here indicates at least partial thoracic cord function at T10.
Question 7: The hypothalamus regulates body temperature primarily through which effector mechanism during overheating?
- Increasing metabolic rate
- Activating sweat glands and cutaneous vasodilation (Correct answer)
- Triggering shivering thermogenesis
- Releasing thyroid hormone
Correct answer: Activating sweat glands and cutaneous vasodilation
When core temperature rises, the hypothalamus activates eccrine sweat glands and promotes cutaneous vasodilation to dissipate heat through evaporation and radiation.
OT Anatomy & Physiology 5
Which anatomical landmark is used to locate the median nerve at the wrist for carpal tunnel assessment?