YMCA Anatomy & Physiology 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In yoga, 'bandhas' are often described as energetic locks. Anatomically, Mula Bandha most closely corresponds to engaging which muscles?
- Transverse abdominis
- Pelvic floor muscles (Correct answer)
- Internal obliques
- Diaphragm
Correct answer: Pelvic floor muscles
Mula Bandha involves a lifting contraction of the perineal/pelvic floor muscles at the base of the pelvis.
Question 2: What type of joint is the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint?
- Hinge joint
- Pivot joint
- Ball-and-socket joint (Correct answer)
- Saddle joint
Correct answer: Ball-and-socket joint
The glenohumeral joint is a multiaxial ball-and-socket joint allowing the greatest range of motion of any joint in the body.
Question 3: During pranayama, which muscle is considered the primary muscle of inhalation?
- External intercostals
- Scalenes
- Diaphragm (Correct answer)
- Pectoralis minor
Correct answer: Diaphragm
The diaphragm is the dome-shaped primary breathing muscle; its contraction flattens and increases thoracic volume on inhalation.
Question 4: The iliotibial (IT) band is a thickening of which connective tissue structure?
- Joint capsule
- Fascia lata (Correct answer)
- Pes anserinus tendon
- Patellar retinaculum
Correct answer: Fascia lata
The IT band is a lateral thickening of the fascia lata, the deep fascia enveloping the thigh.
Question 5: Which spinal curve is considered a secondary (acquired) curve?
- Sacral kyphosis
- Thoracic kyphosis
- Lumbar lordosis (Correct answer)
- Coccygeal curve
Correct answer: Lumbar lordosis
Lumbar lordosis develops after birth as infants begin to stand and walk, making it a secondary curve unlike the primary thoracic and sacral kyphoses.
Question 6: What is the term for the tough, fibrocartilaginous pads that sit between the vertebral bodies?
- Bursae
- Menisci
- Intervertebral discs (Correct answer)
- Facet joints
Correct answer: Intervertebral discs
Intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers and allow spinal movement; they consist of an outer annulus fibrosus and inner nucleus pulposus.
Question 7: Which plane of the body divides it into left and right halves?
- Frontal (coronal) plane
- Transverse (horizontal) plane
- Sagittal plane (Correct answer)
- Oblique plane
Correct answer: Sagittal plane
The sagittal plane (midsagittal when exactly midline) divides the body into left and right portions.
YMCA Anatomy & Physiology 3
In yoga, 'bandhas' are often described as energetic locks.
Anatomically, Mula Bandha most closely corresponds to engaging which muscles?