10 USMLE Anatomy and Embryology Questions with Answers (Set 4)

These 10 quick USMLE review questions test high-yield facts that show up again and again on the exam: skull ossification, the sternoclavicular joint, hip ligaments, renal agenesis and the uterus, Phalen sign, shoulder abductors, the lower brachial plexus, the ductus venosus, coloboma and carpal tunnel. Each question includes the correct answer.

Written by Dr. Ray Makar, MD, author of the Repeated USMLE Questions eBook series.

Prefer video? Watch daily USMLE case questions on MedFocus by Dr. Ray on YouTube.

How to use this page: read the question, pick your answer, then tap Show Answer and Explanation.

Questions

Question 1. Bones of calvarium and facial bones are formed by which one of the following types of ossification?

A- Endochondral ossification
B- Membranous ossification

B- Membranous ossification- These bones are woven bones which are formed directly without cartilage while bones of axial skeleton and base of the skull are made by chondrocytes replaced later by osteoblasts (endochondral ossification).
The correct answer is B

 

Question 2. Which one of the following joints is the only articulation between the upper limb and the trunk?

A- Acromioclavicular joint
B- Coracoclavicular joint
C- Glenohumeral joint
D- Sternoclavicular joint

D- Sternoclavicular joint- This is the only articulation between the upper limb and the trunk. Other joints are between bones of the upper limb.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 3. A patient is diagnosed with posterior dislocation of the hip. Which one of the following ligaments is most likely torn?

A- Iliofemoral ligament
B- Ischiofemoral ligament
C- Lacunar ligament
D- Sacrotuberous ligament

B- Ischiofemoral ligament- This ligament reinforces the capsule of the hip posteriorly.
The correct answer is B

 

Question 4. A female patient is found to have an absent right kidney. Which of the following may also be found in this patient?

A- Absent right ovary
B- Imperforate hymen
C- Pelvic testis
D- Unicornuate uterus

D- Unicornuate uterus- Urinary and paramesonephric ducts are proximal to each other so, any abnormality in one of them could be associated with abnormality in the other.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 5. A patient presents with wrist pain at night. It affects his palm, thumb, index and radial half of his ring finger. Flexion of the wrist reproduces the pain. Which of the following signs is positive in this patient?

A- Chandler sign
B- Phalen sign
C- Tinel sign
D- Wonder sign

B- Phalen sign- It is positive in this patient. Tinel sign is reproduction of pain by tapping or percussion on the medial nerve.
The correct answer is B

 

Question 6. Which of the following muscles are the primary abductors of the arm at the shoulder?

A- Deltoid and biceps
B- Deltoid and coracobrachialis
C- Deltoid and infraspinatus
D- Deltoid and supraspinatus

D- Deltoid and supraspinatus
The correct answer is D

 

Question 7. Injury of the C8 and T1 at the lower portion of the brachial plexus most likely affects which one of the following nerves?

A- Axillary nerve
B- Median nerve
C- Radial nerve
D- Ulnar nerve

D- Ulnar nerve
The correct answer is D

 

Question 8. Which one of the following fetal structures transfers oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava and becomes ligamentum venosum after birth?

A- Azygous vein
B- Ductus arteriosus
C- Ductus venosus
D- Umbilical artery

C- Ductus venosus
The correct answer is C

 

Question 9. A newly born infant is found to have a deformity on the iris. Eye exam reveals keyhole-shaped defect of the iris. Which of the following terms describes this defect?

A- Aniridia
B- Anisocoria
C- Coloboma
D- Heterochromia iridis

C- Coloboma- It is part of CHARGE syndrome due to CHD7 mutation. Aniridia is absence of the iris, anisocoria is absence of cornea while HI is different colors.
The correct answer is C

 

Question 10. A 35-year-old office worker complains of pain and numbness over the lateral side of the hand. It is worse at night and may awaken her from sleep. Examination reveals tingling over the median nerve distribution by compressing the opposing dorsal surface of the hand with the wrist flexed. Which of the following is the correct term for this test?

A- Coombs test
B- ELISA test
C- Phalen test
D- Tinel test

C-Phalen test- This is a case of carpal tunnel syndrome. Phalen maneuver is performed as explained in the scenario. Tinel test is performed by tapping the ventral surface of the wrist. Both tests lead to tingling over the lateral three and half fingers (the distribution of median n.).
The correct answer is C

 

High-yield points from this set

  • Skull and facial bones form by membranous ossification.
  • The sternoclavicular joint is the only bony joint between the arm and trunk.
  • The ductus venosus carries oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein to the IVC.
  • Phalen and Tinel tests help diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome.

Keep practicing

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