A&P 1 101 Module 4 Skeletal System Test Portage
Learning | 2026/2027 Edition.
Instructions: This is a closed-book examination. Select the best answer for each question. All
image-based questions reference standard anatomical models used in the Portage Learning lab
kit.
DOMAIN 1: AXIAL SKELETON (Skull, Ribs, Sternum) — 10 Questions
Question 1 (Multiple-Choice — Image/Model Based)
A plastic skull model is shown with a pin placed on the large, curved bone that forms the
forehead and the superior portion of the orbits. Which bone is indicated?
A) Parietal bone
B) Temporal bone
C) Frontal bone [CORRECT]
D) Occipital bone
Rationale: The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the anterior portion of the cranium,
including the forehead (squamous portion) and the superior rim of the orbits. On the model,
the pin is placed on the smooth, convex anterior surface above the supraorbital margins—this is
the definitive visual landmark of the frontal bone. The frontal bone also contains the frontal
sinuses and articulates with the parietal bones at the coronal suture.
Question 2 (Multiple-Choice — Image/Model Based)
An anatomical skull model is displayed in lateral view with a pin on the paired bone located
superior to the ear canal and forming part of the lateral wall of the cranium. Which bone is
identified?
A) Occipital bone
B) Sphenoid bone
C) Temporal bone [CORRECT]
D) Ethmoid bone
,Rationale: The temporal bone is a paired cranial bone located on the lateral and inferior aspects
of the skull. The pin is placed on the squamous portion of the temporal bone, which forms the
inferior lateral wall of the cranium and articulates with the zygomatic process to form the
zygomatic arch. Key visual cues on the model include the external acoustic meatus (ear canal
opening) and the mastoid process posterior to it, both of which are integral parts of the
temporal bone.
Question 3 (Fill-in-Blank / Labeling)
Label the following cranial bones on the diagram of the superior view of the skull. The calvaria
(skullcap) is exposed.
1. ______________________ (Anterior, single bone forming the forehead)
2. ______________________ (Posterior, single bone forming the back of the skull)
3. ______________________ (Lateral, paired bones forming the sides and roof of the
cranium)
Answers:
1. Frontal bone [CORRECT]
2. Occipital bone [CORRECT]
3. Parietal bone [CORRECT]
Rationale: In the superior view of the skull (calvaria), the frontal bone occupies the anterior
one-third, the paired parietal bones form the central lateral walls and roof, and the occipital
bone forms the posterior one-third. These bones meet at the coronal suture (frontal-parietal
junction) and the sagittal suture (between the two parietal bones). The lambdaoid suture
separates the parietal bones from the occipital bone posteriorly. This is a standard anatomical
view used for identifying the bones of the cranial vault.
Question 4 (True/False)
The sphenoid bone is a single, unpaired bone that forms part of the floor of the cranium and
can be seen from a superior view of the intact skull.
A) True
B) False [CORRECT]
, Rationale: The sphenoid bone is indeed a single, unpaired bone that forms the central portion
of the base of the skull (middle cranial fossa). However, it is not visible from a superior view of
the intact skull because it is located internally at the base of the cranium. The sphenoid
articulates with all other cranial bones and is often described as the "keystone" of the cranial
floor, but it is only visible when the skullcap (calvaria) is removed or when viewing the
inferior/internal surface of the skull. This is a common point of confusion for students.
Question 5 (Multiple-Choice — Image/Model Based)
A skull model is shown in anterior view with a pin placed on the paired bone that forms the
upper jaw and contains the sockets for the upper teeth. Identify the bone.
A) Mandible
B) Zygomatic bone
C) Maxilla [CORRECT]
D) Nasal bone
Rationale: The maxilla is a paired facial bone that forms the upper jaw (maxillary arch) and
contains the alveolar processes that hold the upper teeth. On the anterior view of the skull
model, the pin is placed on the body of the maxilla, which also contributes to the inferior orbital
rim, the lateral margin of the nasal aperture, and the anterior portion of the hard palate. The
maxilla is fused at the midline via the intermaxillary suture and is distinguished from the
mandible (lower jaw) by its fixed position and superior location.
Question 6 (Multiple-Choice — Image/Model Based)
An anatomical model of the skull is shown in lateral view. A pin is placed on the thin, flat bone
that forms the bridge of the nose and articulates superiorly with the frontal bone. Which bone
is indicated?
A) Vomer
B) Nasal bone [CORRECT]
C) Lacrimal bone
D) Ethmoid bone
Rationale: The nasal bones are a pair of small, rectangular bones that form the bridge (dorsum)
of the nose. On the lateral skull model, the pin is placed on the thin, flat bone located between
the frontal bone superiorly and the maxilla laterally and inferiorly. The nasal bones are easily
distinguished from the vomer (which is internal and forms the inferior portion of the nasal
Learning | 2026/2027 Edition.
Instructions: This is a closed-book examination. Select the best answer for each question. All
image-based questions reference standard anatomical models used in the Portage Learning lab
kit.
DOMAIN 1: AXIAL SKELETON (Skull, Ribs, Sternum) — 10 Questions
Question 1 (Multiple-Choice — Image/Model Based)
A plastic skull model is shown with a pin placed on the large, curved bone that forms the
forehead and the superior portion of the orbits. Which bone is indicated?
A) Parietal bone
B) Temporal bone
C) Frontal bone [CORRECT]
D) Occipital bone
Rationale: The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the anterior portion of the cranium,
including the forehead (squamous portion) and the superior rim of the orbits. On the model,
the pin is placed on the smooth, convex anterior surface above the supraorbital margins—this is
the definitive visual landmark of the frontal bone. The frontal bone also contains the frontal
sinuses and articulates with the parietal bones at the coronal suture.
Question 2 (Multiple-Choice — Image/Model Based)
An anatomical skull model is displayed in lateral view with a pin on the paired bone located
superior to the ear canal and forming part of the lateral wall of the cranium. Which bone is
identified?
A) Occipital bone
B) Sphenoid bone
C) Temporal bone [CORRECT]
D) Ethmoid bone
,Rationale: The temporal bone is a paired cranial bone located on the lateral and inferior aspects
of the skull. The pin is placed on the squamous portion of the temporal bone, which forms the
inferior lateral wall of the cranium and articulates with the zygomatic process to form the
zygomatic arch. Key visual cues on the model include the external acoustic meatus (ear canal
opening) and the mastoid process posterior to it, both of which are integral parts of the
temporal bone.
Question 3 (Fill-in-Blank / Labeling)
Label the following cranial bones on the diagram of the superior view of the skull. The calvaria
(skullcap) is exposed.
1. ______________________ (Anterior, single bone forming the forehead)
2. ______________________ (Posterior, single bone forming the back of the skull)
3. ______________________ (Lateral, paired bones forming the sides and roof of the
cranium)
Answers:
1. Frontal bone [CORRECT]
2. Occipital bone [CORRECT]
3. Parietal bone [CORRECT]
Rationale: In the superior view of the skull (calvaria), the frontal bone occupies the anterior
one-third, the paired parietal bones form the central lateral walls and roof, and the occipital
bone forms the posterior one-third. These bones meet at the coronal suture (frontal-parietal
junction) and the sagittal suture (between the two parietal bones). The lambdaoid suture
separates the parietal bones from the occipital bone posteriorly. This is a standard anatomical
view used for identifying the bones of the cranial vault.
Question 4 (True/False)
The sphenoid bone is a single, unpaired bone that forms part of the floor of the cranium and
can be seen from a superior view of the intact skull.
A) True
B) False [CORRECT]
, Rationale: The sphenoid bone is indeed a single, unpaired bone that forms the central portion
of the base of the skull (middle cranial fossa). However, it is not visible from a superior view of
the intact skull because it is located internally at the base of the cranium. The sphenoid
articulates with all other cranial bones and is often described as the "keystone" of the cranial
floor, but it is only visible when the skullcap (calvaria) is removed or when viewing the
inferior/internal surface of the skull. This is a common point of confusion for students.
Question 5 (Multiple-Choice — Image/Model Based)
A skull model is shown in anterior view with a pin placed on the paired bone that forms the
upper jaw and contains the sockets for the upper teeth. Identify the bone.
A) Mandible
B) Zygomatic bone
C) Maxilla [CORRECT]
D) Nasal bone
Rationale: The maxilla is a paired facial bone that forms the upper jaw (maxillary arch) and
contains the alveolar processes that hold the upper teeth. On the anterior view of the skull
model, the pin is placed on the body of the maxilla, which also contributes to the inferior orbital
rim, the lateral margin of the nasal aperture, and the anterior portion of the hard palate. The
maxilla is fused at the midline via the intermaxillary suture and is distinguished from the
mandible (lower jaw) by its fixed position and superior location.
Question 6 (Multiple-Choice — Image/Model Based)
An anatomical model of the skull is shown in lateral view. A pin is placed on the thin, flat bone
that forms the bridge of the nose and articulates superiorly with the frontal bone. Which bone
is indicated?
A) Vomer
B) Nasal bone [CORRECT]
C) Lacrimal bone
D) Ethmoid bone
Rationale: The nasal bones are a pair of small, rectangular bones that form the bridge (dorsum)
of the nose. On the lateral skull model, the pin is placed on the thin, flat bone located between
the frontal bone superiorly and the maxilla laterally and inferiorly. The nasal bones are easily
distinguished from the vomer (which is internal and forms the inferior portion of the nasal
