PAM Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which body plane divides the body into superior and inferior portions?
- Sagittal plane
- Frontal (coronal) plane
- Transverse (horizontal) plane (Correct answer)
- Oblique plane
Correct answer: Transverse (horizontal) plane
The transverse plane, also called the horizontal or axial plane, divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections.
Question 2: In the context of PAM application, understanding tissue thermosensitivity is important. Which tissue has the HIGHEST sensitivity to temperature changes?
- Dense fibrous connective tissue
- Skeletal muscle
- Peripheral nerve tissue (Correct answer)
- Hyaline cartilage
Correct answer: Peripheral nerve tissue
Peripheral nerve tissue is highly sensitive to temperature, which is why both heat and cold modalities have profound effects on nerve conduction velocity.
Question 3: The stretch reflex (myotatic reflex) is mediated by which sensory receptor?
- Golgi tendon organ
- Free nerve endings
- Muscle spindle (intrafusal fibers) (Correct answer)
- Meissner's corpuscle
Correct answer: Muscle spindle (intrafusal fibers)
Muscle spindles detect changes in muscle length and initiate the stretch reflex via Ia afferent fibers, causing the stretched muscle to contract.
Question 4: Which of the following correctly pairs a joint type with its classification?
- Knee = synchondrosis
- Suture of the skull = synovial
- Hip joint = diarthrosis (Correct answer)
- Pubic symphysis = gomphosis
Correct answer: Hip joint = diarthrosis
The hip joint is a freely movable synovial joint, classified as a diarthrosis, specifically a ball-and-socket type.
Question 5: What is the function of osteoclasts in bone remodeling?
- Secreting osteoid (unmineralized bone matrix)
- Resorbing bone tissue by releasing acids and enzymes (Correct answer)
- Maturing into osteocytes within lacunae
- Lining quiescent bone surfaces
Correct answer: Resorbing bone tissue by releasing acids and enzymes
Osteoclasts are large multinucleated cells that resorb bone by secreting hydrochloric acid and proteolytic enzymes to dissolve the bone matrix.
Question 6: A clinician is treating a patient with an injury to the brachial plexus at the C8-T1 level. Which functional deficit is most likely?
- Weakness of elbow flexors and shoulder abductors
- Loss of intrinsic hand muscle function and grip strength (Correct answer)
- Inability to extend the wrist (wrist drop)
- Weakness of shoulder external rotation
Correct answer: Loss of intrinsic hand muscle function and grip strength
C8-T1 nerve roots supply the intrinsic muscles of the hand (lumbricals, interossei, thenar/hypothenar), and injury causes clawing and weak grip.
Question 7: Which of the following statements about slow-twitch (Type I) muscle fibers is CORRECT?
- They fatigue rapidly and are used for explosive power movements
- They rely primarily on anaerobic glycolysis for ATP production
- They have high myoglobin content and are resistant to fatigue (Correct answer)
- They are recruited first only during maximal force production
Correct answer: They have high myoglobin content and are resistant to fatigue
Type I (slow-twitch) fibers are rich in myoglobin and mitochondria, making them highly oxidative, fatigue-resistant, and ideal for sustained endurance activity.
PAM Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals 3
Which body plane divides the body into superior and inferior portions?