Anatomy Practice Test 4
Anatomy NCLEX Practice Test
Anatomy is a key topic within the NCLEX test plan, located under Nursing Science → Clinical Foundations → Anatomy. This section examines human structure from a nursing perspective, supporting accurate assessment and procedural safety. Each test contains 50 questions designed to mirror the difficulty and variety of the real exam.
This is the 4th part of the Anatomy series. To explore all practice tests under this topic, use the “Back to Main Topic” button at the end of the page.
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In the Anatomy Study Cards section, shared by real NCLEX candidates, you’ll find concise summaries and high-yield insights related to the most tested concepts. It’s a perfect space to reinforce challenging topics and sharpen your recall through quick, focused repetitions. Short, powerful, and repeatable!
Anatomy Practice Test 4
At what level does the manubrium lie?
- Just below the sternal notch.
- At the level of the T3 and T4 vertebrae.
- At the level of the T4 and T5 vertebrae.
- At the level of the T4 and T5 vertebrae.
- At the level of the T6 and T7 vertebrae.
Explanation: Answer reason: The manubrium of the sternum lies opposite the T3–T4 vertebral levels; the manubriosternal angle lies at T4–T5.
The mediastinum, which lies between the pericardium and the vertebral column, is?
- Anterior mediastinum
- Inferior mediastinum
- Middle mediastinum
- Superior mediastinum
- Posterior mediastinum
Explanation: Answer reason: The posterior mediastinum lies posterior to the pericardium and anterior to the vertebral column, making it the compartment between these structures.
The lower jawbone is known as?
- Ethmoid
- Maxilla
- Mandible
- Sphenoid
- Zygomatic bone
Explanation: Answer reason: The lower jawbone is anatomically called the mandible. The maxilla is the upper jaw; the ethmoid and sphenoid are cranial bones; the zygomatic is the cheekbone.
Prominent upper margin of the first sacral vertebra projects inward?
- Ala of the sacrum
- Sacral promontory
- Wings of the sacrum
- Hollow of the sacrum
Explanation: Answer reason: The anteriorly projecting edge of the body of the first sacral vertebra (S1) is the sacral promontory, a prominent landmark forming part of the pelvic brim.
Which of the following is not an inferior surface of the abdomen?
- Iliac crest
- Iliac spine
- Acetabulum
- Inguinal ligament
Explanation: Answer reason: The acetabulum is the hip socket of the pelvis, not a surface landmark forming the inferior boundary of the abdominal wall. The iliac crest, the anterior superior iliac spine, and the inguinal ligament are surface landmarks of the lower abdomen.
How many pairs of ribs are there in the human body?
- 12 pairs
- 8 pairs
- 10 pairs
- 24 pairs
Explanation: Answer reason: Humans have 12 pairs of ribs (a total of 24 ribs). Options with 8 or 10 pairs are too few, and 24 pairs would be 48 ribs.
What is the total number of bones in the human body?
- 206
- 213
- 209
- 300
Explanation: Answer reason: An adult human skeleton has 206 bones. Higher counts, such as approximately 300, apply to newborns before ossification and fusion.
What is the total number of bones in the hind limb of a human?
- 24
- 26
- 28
- 30
Explanation: Answer reason: Each human hind limb (lower limb) contains 30 bones: 1 femur, 1 patella, 1 tibia, 1 fibula, 7 tarsals, 5 metatarsals, and 14 phalanges. This arrangement provides structural support and enables movement, weight bearing, and locomotion.
How many organs are in the human body?
- 42
- 40
- 20
- 28
Explanation: Answer reason: Some conventional anatomy lists count 42 major organs; among the provided choices, 42 matches the commonly cited figure.
What is the normal length of the prostate gland?
- 5.5 cm
- 5 cm
- 3 cm
- 4 cm
Explanation: Answer reason: The adult prostate measures about 3 cm in length (approximately 4 cm in width and 2 cm in AP). Therefore, 3 cm is the normal length.
What are the numbers of cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal vertebrae in the human body, respectively?
- 7, 12, 5, 5, 4
- 8, 12, 5, 5, 3
- 7, 13.5, 4.4
- 6, 12, 5, 5, 4
Explanation: Answer reason: Humans have seven cervical, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, five sacral (fused), and typically four coccygeal (fused) vertebrae.
How many bones are there in an adult human body?
- 206
- 305
- 200
- 400
Explanation: Answer reason: An adult human skeleton typically consists of 206 bones after the fusion of bones that are separate in infancy.
How many bones are in our skull?
- 22
- 26
- 28
- None
Explanation: Answer reason: The adult human skull consists of 22 bones: 8 cranial and 14 facial bones.
In which body cavity is the kidney situated?
- Abdominal cavity
- Pelvic cavity
- Thoracic cavity
- Mediastinum
Explanation: Answer reason: The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs on the posterior abdominal wall, located within the abdominal cavity—not in the thorax, mediastinum, or pelvis.
Which one of the following is not a salivary gland?
- Parotid glands
- Sublingual glands
- Submandibular glands
- Lacrimal glands
Explanation: Answer reason: Lacrimal glands produce tears for the eyes, not saliva. The parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands are the major salivary glands.
The anatomical term meaning "close to the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk" is?
- Distal
- Lateral
- Medial
- Proximal
Explanation: Answer reason: The correct concept is proximal (near the point of limb attachment). Distal means far from the attachment; medial means toward the midline; lateral means away from the midline. None matches the stem.
The brachial artery begins at the lower border of?
- Teres minor
- Teres major
- Rhomboid major
- None of the above.
Explanation: Answer reason: The brachial artery is the continuation of the axillary artery and begins at the lower border of the teres major muscle.
Laterally, the cubital fossa is bounded by?
- Brachialis
- Brachioradialis
- Biceps
- brachial artery
Explanation: Answer reason: The lateral boundary of the cubital fossa is formed by the medial border of the brachioradialis muscle. The brachialis forms much of the floor; the biceps contributes the tendon; the brachial artery is a content, not a boundary.
The nerve supply to the triceps is?
- Musculocutaneous nerve
- Radial nerve
- Ulnar nerve
- Axillary nerve
Explanation: Answer reason: The triceps brachii is innervated by the radial nerve, which supplies the posterior compartment of the arm.
What is the upper part of the sternum called?
- Body of the sternum
- Xiphoid process
- Manubrium
- None of the above.
Explanation: Answer reason: The sternum consists of the manubrium (the superior portion), the body, and the xiphoid process. Therefore, the upper part is the manubrium.
A special term refers to the anterior surface of the hand, known as?
- Planter
- Palmar
- Ventral
- Caudal
- Cephalic
Explanation: Answer reason: The anterior surface of the hand is termed palmar (volar). Option B corresponds to this term; plantar refers to the sole of the foot, ventral is the general anterior body surface, caudal is toward the tail, and cephalic is toward the head.
The upper part of the sternum is called?
- Xiphoid process
- Body of the sternum
- Manubrium
- linea alba
- Clavicle
Explanation: Answer reason: The sternum consists of the superior manubrium, the body, and the inferior xiphoid process; thus, the upper part is the manubrium.
What is the dome-shaped, gas-filled part of the stomach called?
- Fundus
- Pylorus
- Antrum
- Body of the stomach
- Cardiac orifice
Explanation: Answer reason: The fundus is the dome-shaped superior portion of the stomach that often contains a gas bubble on imaging.
Where is deep fascia well defined?
- Trunk
- Neck and limb
- Eyelids
- Head
- None of the above.
Explanation: Answer reason: Deep fascia is thick and well developed in the neck and limbs, where it forms strong investing layers and intermuscular septa; it is poorly developed in the face, eyelids, and much of the trunk.
The thoracic cage is made up of all of the following except?
- Thoracic vertebrae
- Sternum
- Ribs
- Clavicle
- Costal cartilage
Explanation: Answer reason: The thoracic cage consists of the thoracic vertebrae, the ribs with their costal cartilages, and the sternum. The clavicle belongs to the pectoral girdle, not the thoracic cage.
What is the largest gland in the body?
- Pituitary
- Thymus
- Thyroid
- Liver
- None of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: The liver is the largest gland in the human body; the others listed are smaller endocrine glands.
What is the special term for the anterior surface of the hand?
- Planter
- Palmar
- Ventral
- Caudal
- Cephalic
Explanation: Answer reason: The anterior surface of the hand is the palmar surface; hence the correct term is palmar (listed as palmar). Plantar refers to the sole of the foot, and ventral is a general term for the front.
What special term refers to the anterior surface of the hand?
- Planter
- Palmar
- Ventral
- Caudal
- Cephalic
Explanation: Answer reason: The anterior surface of the hand is the palmar surface; the correct anatomical term is palmar (listed as palmar). Plantar refers to the sole of the foot; ventral is the anterior body surface; caudal means toward the tail; cephalic means toward the head.
What is the upper part of the sternum called?
- Xiphoid process
- Body of the sternum
- Manubrium
- Linea alba
- Clavicle
Explanation: Answer reason: The sternum consists of the manubrium (upper), the body, and the xiphoid process (lower). Therefore, the upper part is the manubrium.
Where is the deep fascia well defined?
- Trunk
- Neck and limbs
- Eyelids
- Head
- None of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Deep fascia is poorly developed over the trunk and absent in areas such as the eyelids, but is strong and well-formed in the limbs and neck (investing cervical fascia).
Acromial fibers of the deltoid are an example of?
- Bipennate
- Multipennate
- Tripinnate
- Unipennate
- Both A and B
Explanation: Answer reason: The deltoid’s acromial (middle) fibers are arranged with multiple tendinous septa, forming a multipennate architecture.
All are retroperitoneal organs except?
- Duodenum
- Kidneys
- Pancreas
- Spleen
- All of the above.
Explanation: Answer reason: The spleen is intraperitoneal. The duodenum (2nd–4th parts), the kidneys, and the pancreas (except the tail) are retroperitoneal.
The largest gland in the body is?
- Liver
- Pituitary
- Thymus
- Thyroid
- None of the above.
Explanation: Answer reason: The liver is the largest gland of the human body, weighing about 1.4–1.8 kg; other glands, such as the pituitary, thymus, and thyroid, are much smaller.
A special term refers to the anterior surface of the hand, known as?
- Caudal
- Cephalic
- Plantar
- Palmar
- Ventral
Explanation: Answer reason: The anterior surface of the hand is termed the palmar surface (often spelled palmar). The other options refer to the head (cephalic), the tail/inferior (caudal), the sole of the foot (plantar), or the belly/anterior body surface (ventral).
A small, shallow depression is known as?
- Fossa
- Fovea
- Fissure
- Tubercle
- Tuberosity
Explanation: Answer reason: In anatomical terminology, a fossa is a shallow depression in a bone. A fovea is a tiny pit, a fissure is a slit, and a tubercle and a tuberosity are projections.
The phrenic nerve supplies sensation to all except?
- Diaphragm
- Mediastinal pleura
- Left ventricle
- Pericardium
Explanation: Answer reason: The phrenic nerve provides sensory innervation to the central part of the diaphragm, the mediastinal pleura, and the pericardium, but not to the myocardium of the heart, such as the left ventricle.
Choose the correct statement about the sternum bone?
- Body xiphoid manubrium
- Xiphoid, manubrium, body
- Manubrium, body, xiphoid
- Manubrium xiphoid body
Explanation: Answer reason: From superior to inferior, the sternum consists of the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid process. Therefore, the correct order is manubrium, body, xiphoid.
The location of the spleen in the abdomen is?
- Epigastrium
- Lt. Hypochondria
- Lt. iliac fossa
- Rt. hypochondria
- Right iliac fossa
Explanation: Answer reason: The spleen is located in the left hypochondriac region of the abdomen (left upper quadrant) beneath ribs 9–11.
True ribs attach directly via costal cartilages to the?
- Manubrium
- Sternum
- Vertebrae
- Xiphoid process
- Xiphisternal
Explanation: Answer reason: True ribs (1–7) attach directly to the sternum through their costal cartilages at the sternocostal joints.
The lower jaw bone is known as?
- Ethmoid
- Maxilla
- Mandible
- Sphenoid
- Zygomatic bone
Explanation: Answer reason: The lower jaw is the mandible; the maxilla is the upper jaw, while the ethmoid and the sphenoid are cranial bones and the zygomatic is the cheekbone.
The neck of the bladder lies inferiorly and rests on the upper surface of what?
- Pituitary
- Pineal
- Prostate
- Thymus
- Thyroid
Explanation: Answer reason: In male pelvic anatomy, the bladder neck lies directly on the superior surface of the prostate gland; the other glands listed are cranial, cervical, or thoracic and unrelated.
All are muscles of the anterior abdominal wall except?
- External oblique
- Internal oblique
- Psoas muscle
- Rectus abdominis
- Pyramidal
Explanation: Answer reason: The external and internal obliques, rectus abdominis, and pyramidalis are components of the anterior abdominal wall. The psoas muscle forms part of the posterior abdominal wall, so it is the exception.
What is the shaft of a long bone also called?
- Diaphysis
- Epiphysis
- Metaphysis
- Medullary cavity
- Epiphyseal plate
Explanation: Answer reason: The shaft of a long bone is the diaphysis; the epiphyses are the ends; the metaphysis is the region between the diaphysis and the epiphysis; the medullary cavity is the hollow interior; and the epiphyseal plate is the growth plate.
The skin of the abdominal cavity is loosely attached to the underlying structures except?
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
- Umbilicus
Explanation: Answer reason: The skin of the anterior abdominal wall is generally lax and mobile due to the subcutaneous fascia, except at the umbilicus, where it is firmly adherent to the underlying scar/linea alba.
Deep membranous layer of the abdominal cavity?
- Superficial layer
- Fascia of the camper
- Scarpa's fascia
- Serous membrane
Explanation: Answer reason: The superficial fascia of the anterior abdominal wall has two layers: Camper's (superficial, fatty) and Scarpa's (deep, membranous). Therefore, the deep membranous layer is Scarpa's fascia.
The muscle that keeps the linea alba taut during the process?
- External oblique
- Internal oblique
- Pyramidalis
- rectus abdominis
Explanation: Answer reason: The small, triangular pyramidalis muscle lies anterior to the lower rectus within the rectus sheath and functions to tense the linea alba.
It is formed by the upper flared-out portion of the ilium?
- False pelvis
- True pelvis
- Ischial tuberosity
- Pubic symphysis
Explanation: Answer reason: The false pelvis is formed by the iliac alae, the upper flared portions of the ilium, above the pelvic brim.
Angle between the inferior rami of the pubic bones?
- Inferior rami
- superior rami
- Pubic symphysis
- Subpubic angle
Explanation: Answer reason: The named angle formed by the two inferior pubic rami is the subpubic angle; the other options denote bony parts rather than the angle between them.
The abdominal wall consists of the following muscles?
- Intercostal
- Pectoralis
- Psoas
- Transversus abdominis
- Vastus
Explanation: Answer reason: Transversus abdominis is one of the anterolateral abdominal-wall muscles; the others listed are thoracic (intercostal), pectoral, hip flexor (psoas), or thigh (vastus) muscles.
The right gastric artery is a branch of __________?
- Celiac artery
- Hepatic artery
- Left gastroepiploic
- Mesenteric artery
- Right gastroepiploic
Explanation: Answer reason: The right gastric artery most commonly arises from the proper hepatic artery (occasionally from the common hepatic or left hepatic artery) and supplies the lesser curvature of the stomach.
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