ANATOMY FINAL EXAM 2025 STUDY
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
What is found within compact bone, but not within spongy bone?
central canal
(A central canal is found within each cylindrical osteon comprising compact bone.)
Which cell type is found within lacunae?
osteocytes
(Osteocytes are mature bone cells derived from osteoblasts as they become completely surrounded by
the matrix being secreted.)
What structure consists of hyaline cartilage, also known as the growth plate?
epiphyseal plate
(The epiphyseal plate, commonly called the growth plate, is a disc of hyaline cartilage that grows during
childhood to lengthen the bone. This cartilage is replaced by bone in the epiphyseal line found in adults.)
Which of the following does not occur during the events leading to the lengthening of a long bone?
osteoblasts produce osteoid, which calcifies within fibrous connective tissue membranes.
(This event occurs during the intramembranous development of flat bones, not during the growth in
length of long bones.)
,Intramembranous ossification results in the formation of .
cranial bones
(Intramembranous ossification forms the flat cranial bones of the skull and the clavicles.)
How does the osteoid become calcified?
The proteins of the newly deposited osteoid bind calcium ions (Ca2+), raising the local concentration of
Ca2+. This in turn triggers osteoblasts to release matrix vesicles studded with the enzyme alkaline
phosphatase. This enzyme cuts phosphate (Pi) ions off of the osteoid proteins, raising the local
concentration of Pi. When the concentrations of Ca2+ and Pi are high enough, tiny calcium phosphate
crystals form. These crystals then act as the seed around which hydroxyapatites (the mineral salts in
bones) form. The result is that calcium salts are deposited throughout the osteoid, creating calcified
bone matrix.
How do mechanical forces communicate with the cells responsible for remodeling?
Deforming bone pushes fluid containing ions through the canaliculi. This creates an electrical current.
Current is detected by osteocytes then chemical messengers are released to build additional bone
Which of the following results from the effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH)?
stimulation of osteoclast activity
(PTH is released in response to a calcium deficiency. The breakdown of bone matrix by osteoclasts
results in an increase in blood calcium levels.)
Bone remodeling in response to mechanical stress is triggered by
,signals produced by osteocytes in the affected bone
(Osteocytes detect stresses in the surrounding bone matrix and release chemical messengers that
promote the formation of additional bone.)
The material that initially connects the broken ends of bones together is formed from .
collagen fibers
(Collagen fibers produced by fibroblasts contribute to the formation of a fibrocartilaginous callus that
spans the break and connects the broken bone ends.)
Which of the following accurately describes a key difference between cartilage and bone tissue?
Cartilage grows in an interstitial manner; bone does not.
(Chondrocytes may divide and secrete new matrix, expanding the cartilage interstitially (from within).
The hard calcified matrix of bone cannot grow in this manner.)
Which of the following is a function of red marrow?
hematopoiesis
(Blood cell formation, or hematopoiesis, occurs in the red marrow of certain bones.)
Which bones are incorrectly paired with its classification?
shoulder blades: irregular bones
(The scapulae (shoulder blades) are classified as flat bones.)
, Which of the following statements is incorrect?
Paget's disease is caused by a vitamin D deficiency.
(The cause of Paget's disease is unknown, but may be triggered by viral infection. Osteomalacia and
rickets are caused by insufficient calcium in the diet or by a vitamin D deficiency.)
Which of the following bones does not form part of the anterior cranial fossa?
temporal bone
(The temporal bone forms part of the middle, not anterior, cranial fossa.)
Which bone forms the inferior surface of the orbital cavity?
maxilla
(The maxillae form the upper jaw, central area of the face, and floor of the orbital cavity.)
Which of the following is unique to thoracic vertebrae?
facets present on transverse processes
(The transverse costal facets articulate with the tubercles of ribs.)
Which regions of the spine convex posteriorly?
thoracic and sacral
(Both the thoracic and sacral curve convex in a posterior direction.)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
What is found within compact bone, but not within spongy bone?
central canal
(A central canal is found within each cylindrical osteon comprising compact bone.)
Which cell type is found within lacunae?
osteocytes
(Osteocytes are mature bone cells derived from osteoblasts as they become completely surrounded by
the matrix being secreted.)
What structure consists of hyaline cartilage, also known as the growth plate?
epiphyseal plate
(The epiphyseal plate, commonly called the growth plate, is a disc of hyaline cartilage that grows during
childhood to lengthen the bone. This cartilage is replaced by bone in the epiphyseal line found in adults.)
Which of the following does not occur during the events leading to the lengthening of a long bone?
osteoblasts produce osteoid, which calcifies within fibrous connective tissue membranes.
(This event occurs during the intramembranous development of flat bones, not during the growth in
length of long bones.)
,Intramembranous ossification results in the formation of .
cranial bones
(Intramembranous ossification forms the flat cranial bones of the skull and the clavicles.)
How does the osteoid become calcified?
The proteins of the newly deposited osteoid bind calcium ions (Ca2+), raising the local concentration of
Ca2+. This in turn triggers osteoblasts to release matrix vesicles studded with the enzyme alkaline
phosphatase. This enzyme cuts phosphate (Pi) ions off of the osteoid proteins, raising the local
concentration of Pi. When the concentrations of Ca2+ and Pi are high enough, tiny calcium phosphate
crystals form. These crystals then act as the seed around which hydroxyapatites (the mineral salts in
bones) form. The result is that calcium salts are deposited throughout the osteoid, creating calcified
bone matrix.
How do mechanical forces communicate with the cells responsible for remodeling?
Deforming bone pushes fluid containing ions through the canaliculi. This creates an electrical current.
Current is detected by osteocytes then chemical messengers are released to build additional bone
Which of the following results from the effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH)?
stimulation of osteoclast activity
(PTH is released in response to a calcium deficiency. The breakdown of bone matrix by osteoclasts
results in an increase in blood calcium levels.)
Bone remodeling in response to mechanical stress is triggered by
,signals produced by osteocytes in the affected bone
(Osteocytes detect stresses in the surrounding bone matrix and release chemical messengers that
promote the formation of additional bone.)
The material that initially connects the broken ends of bones together is formed from .
collagen fibers
(Collagen fibers produced by fibroblasts contribute to the formation of a fibrocartilaginous callus that
spans the break and connects the broken bone ends.)
Which of the following accurately describes a key difference between cartilage and bone tissue?
Cartilage grows in an interstitial manner; bone does not.
(Chondrocytes may divide and secrete new matrix, expanding the cartilage interstitially (from within).
The hard calcified matrix of bone cannot grow in this manner.)
Which of the following is a function of red marrow?
hematopoiesis
(Blood cell formation, or hematopoiesis, occurs in the red marrow of certain bones.)
Which bones are incorrectly paired with its classification?
shoulder blades: irregular bones
(The scapulae (shoulder blades) are classified as flat bones.)
, Which of the following statements is incorrect?
Paget's disease is caused by a vitamin D deficiency.
(The cause of Paget's disease is unknown, but may be triggered by viral infection. Osteomalacia and
rickets are caused by insufficient calcium in the diet or by a vitamin D deficiency.)
Which of the following bones does not form part of the anterior cranial fossa?
temporal bone
(The temporal bone forms part of the middle, not anterior, cranial fossa.)
Which bone forms the inferior surface of the orbital cavity?
maxilla
(The maxillae form the upper jaw, central area of the face, and floor of the orbital cavity.)
Which of the following is unique to thoracic vertebrae?
facets present on transverse processes
(The transverse costal facets articulate with the tubercles of ribs.)
Which regions of the spine convex posteriorly?
thoracic and sacral
(Both the thoracic and sacral curve convex in a posterior direction.)
