The appendicular skeleton covers the bones of the limbs and girdles and is vital for mobility, posture, and load transmission. This overview outlines salient features and functions of appendicular skeleton bones—clavicle, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges, pelvis, femur, tibia, fibula, and tarsals—emphasizing structural landmarks, joint types, muscle attachments, neurovascular relations, ossification, and clinical correlations. For B. Pharm students, understanding these bones aids safe injection sites, interpreting radiographs, appreciating fracture pharmacotherapy, and predicting effects on circulation and healing. Focused anatomical details help link drug actions with musculoskeletal pathology. Familiarity with these bones aids safe medication administration, interpreting imaging, and understanding fracture management in clinical settings. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which bone articulates with the sternum at the sternoclavicular joint?
- Scapula
- Clavicle
- Humerus
- Coracoid process
Correct Answer: Clavicle
Q2. Which landmark on the scapula serves as the attachment for the deltoid muscle?
- Acromion
- Coracoid process
- Glenoid cavity
- Spine of scapula
Correct Answer: Acromion
Q3. The radial groove on the humerus transmits which structure?
- Median nerve
- Ulnar nerve
- Radial nerve and profunda brachii artery
- Brachial artery
Correct Answer: Radial nerve and profunda brachii artery
Q4. Which bone is primarily responsible for forming the elbow joint with the humerus?
- Scaphoid
- Radius and ulna (proximal ends)
- Clavicle
- Coracoid process
Correct Answer: Radius and ulna (proximal ends)
Q5. Which carpal bone is most commonly fractured and important for wrist blood supply?
- Hamate
- Scaphoid
- Lunate
- Triquetrum
Correct Answer: Scaphoid
Q6. The pelvic girdle is formed by the fusion of which three bones?
- Ilium, ischium, pubis
- Sacrum, coccyx, ilium
- Femur, tibia, fibula
- Ilium, sacrum, femur
Correct Answer: Ilium, ischium, pubis
Q7. Which feature of the femur bears weight and articulates with the acetabulum?
- Greater trochanter
- Lesser trochanter
- Femoral head
- Linea aspera
Correct Answer: Femoral head
Q8. A fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus most likely endangers which structure?
- Ulnar nerve
- Axillary nerve
- Median nerve
- Femoral nerve
Correct Answer: Axillary nerve
Q9. Which bone forms the prominence of the cheek and contributes to the lateral orbit?
- Maxilla
- Zygomatic bone
- Malar process of temporal bone
- Frontal bone
Correct Answer: Zygomatic bone
Q10. The medial malleolus is a feature of which bone and is relevant when assessing ankle fractures?
- Fibula
- Tibia
- Talus
- Calcaneus
Correct Answer: Tibia
Q11. Which ligament stabilizes the shoulder by attaching the coracoid process to the clavicle?
- Conoid ligament
- Coracoacromial ligament
- Coracoclavicular ligament (conoid and trapezoid parts)
- Acromioclavicular ligament
Correct Answer: Coracoclavicular ligament (conoid and trapezoid parts)
Q12. Which bone bears the tibial tuberosity where the patellar ligament inserts?
- Femur
- Tibia
- Fibula
- Patella
Correct Answer: Tibia
Q13. Which bone forms the heel and is the insertion for the Achilles tendon?
- Talus
- Navicular
- Calcaneus
- Cuboid
Correct Answer: Calcaneus
Q14. In intramuscular injection of the deltoid, which bony landmark helps locate the safe area?
- Acromion process
- Greater trochanter
- Iliac crest
- Olecranon
Correct Answer: Acromion process
Q15. Secondary ossification centers in long bones appear at which region?
- Diaphysis
- Metaphysis
- Epiphysis
- Periosteum only
Correct Answer: Epiphysis
Q16. Which structure of the pelvis transmits the sciatic nerve and is relevant in intragluteal injections?
- Greater sciatic notch
- Obturator foramen
- Ischial tuberosity
- Iliac fossa
Correct Answer: Greater sciatic notch
Q17. The interosseous membrane between radius and ulna primarily allows which function?
- Limits elbow extension
- Transmits forces from radius to ulna and stabilizes forearm
- Forms the wrist joint
- Houses the ulnar nerve
Correct Answer: Transmits forces from radius to ulna and stabilizes forearm
Q18. Which bone of the hand articulates directly with the radius to form the radiocarpal joint?
- Lunate and scaphoid (primarily scaphoid)
- Hamate
- Pisiform
- Triquetrum only
Correct Answer: Lunate and scaphoid (primarily scaphoid)
Q19. Which feature of the femur is a site for powerful hip adductor muscle attachment?
- Greater trochanter
- Linea aspera
- Femoral head
- Medial condyle
Correct Answer: Linea aspera
Q20. The acetabulum is deepened by which structure to enhance hip stability?
- Labrum (acetabular labrum)
- Greater trochanter
- Obturator membrane
- Ischial spine
Correct Answer: Labrum (acetabular labrum)
Q21. The “anatomic snuffbox” is related to which bone that is clinically palpated for fractures?
- Trapezium
- Scaphoid
- Capitate
- Lunate
Correct Answer: Scaphoid
Q22. Which tubercle on the humerus is the site of attachment for rotator cuff muscles?
- Lateral epicondyle
- Greater and lesser tubercles
- Coronoid tubercle
- Olecranon fossa
Correct Answer: Greater and lesser tubercles
Q23. Fracture of the neck of the femur in elderly patients often impairs blood supply from which artery?
- Femoral circumflex arteries (medial femoral circumflex)
- Popliteal artery
- Anterior tibial artery
- Inferior gluteal artery
Correct Answer: Femoral circumflex arteries (medial femoral circumflex)
Q24. Which bone of the lower limb helps transmit body weight to the ground during standing?
- Fibula
- Tibia
- Femur only
- Patella
Correct Answer: Tibia
Q25. The ossification pattern of the clavicle is unique because it:
- Ossifies entirely from endochondral ossification
- Is the first long bone to begin ossification and has both intramembranous and endochondral centers
- Remains cartilaginous throughout life
- Develops only after puberty
Correct Answer: Is the first long bone to begin ossification and has both intramembranous and endochondral centers
Q26. Which bony landmark of the ulna forms the point of the elbow?
- Coronoid process
- Olecranon
- Radial notch
- Styloid process
Correct Answer: Olecranon
Q27. In assessing peripheral circulation after a humeral fracture, which pulse is most useful distally in the forearm?
- Femoral pulse
- Brachial pulse
- Radial pulse
- Popliteal pulse
Correct Answer: Radial pulse
Q28. The pelvic inlet is clinically important; which plane forms the boundary between true and false pelvis?
- Transpyloric plane
- Linea terminalis (pelvic brim)
- Inguinal ligament
- Intertubercular plane
Correct Answer: Linea terminalis (pelvic brim)
Q29. The oblique popliteal ligament reinforces which joint capsule?
- Ankle joint
- Knee joint
- Hip joint
- Shoulder joint
Correct Answer: Knee joint
Q30. Intraosseous injection as an emergency access technique is typically performed into which bone in adults?
- Distal femur
- Proximal humerus or proximal tibia (proximal humerus common in adults)
- Phalanges
- Calcaneus only
Correct Answer: Proximal humerus or proximal tibia (proximal humerus common in adults)
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com