MCQs on Skeletal System and Joints. B. Pharm University, GPAT, NIPER, AIIMS Pharmacist, Railway Pharmacist, SSC, ESIC, and State Pharmacist Examinations

1. The adult human skeleton normally consists of:

A. 198 bones
B. 206 bones
C. 212 bones
D. 220 bones

Answer: B

Explanation: The adult human skeleton contains 206 bones, divided into axial and appendicular skeletons.

2. The axial skeleton consists of:

A. 80 bones
B. 126 bones
C. 206 bones
D. 86 bones

Answer: A

Explanation: Axial skeleton = skull, vertebral column, ribs, sternum, and hyoid bone = 80 bones.

3. Which of the following belongs to the appendicular skeleton?

A. Sternum
B. Sacrum
C. Clavicle
D. Hyoid bone

Answer: C

Explanation: The appendicular skeleton includes the pectoral girdle, pelvic girdle, and limbs.

4. Which bone is classified as a flat bone?

A. Femur
B. Humerus
C. Sternum
D. Radius

Answer: C

Explanation: Sternum, ribs, scapula, and cranial bones are examples of flat bones.

5. The patella is an example of:

A. Flat bone
B. Irregular bone
C. Sesamoid bone
D. Pneumatic bone

Answer: C

Explanation: Sesamoid bones develop within tendons. The patella is the largest sesamoid bone.

6. Which of the following is a pneumatic bone?

A. Ethmoid
B. Ulna
C. Femur
D. Tibia

Answer: A

Explanation: Pneumatic bones contain air-filled spaces. Examples: frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid, and maxilla.

7. The primary function of red bone marrow is:

A. Fat storage
B. Mineral storage
C. Hematopoiesis
D. Joint lubrication

Answer: C

Explanation: Red bone marrow produces blood cells.

8. Which bone does NOT articulate with any other bone?

A. Hyoid
B. Mandible
C. Clavicle
D. Scapula

Answer: A

Explanation: The hyoid bone is suspended by muscles and ligaments.

9. The vertebral column of an adult contains:

A. 26 bones
B. 33 bones
C. 30 bones
D. 24 bones

Answer: A

Explanation: The adult vertebral column consists of 24 vertebrae, a sacrum, and a coccyx = 26 bones.

10. Which pair correctly represents the number of ribs in humans?

A. 10 pairs
B. 11 pairs
C. 12 pairs
D. 13 pairs

Answer: C

11. True ribs are

A. First 5 pairs
B. First 7 pairs
C. First 8 pairs
D. First 10 pairs

Answer: B

Explanation: Ribs 1–7 directly attach to the sternum through their own costal cartilages.

12. Floating ribs are:

A. 8th and 9th pairs
B. 9th and 10th pairs
C. 11th and 12th pairs
D. 10th and 11th pairs

Answer: C

13. Which bone forms the forehead?

A. Parietal bone
B. Temporal bone
C. Frontal bone
D. Occipital bone

Answer: C

14. Which is the longest bone in the human body?

A. Tibia
B. Fibula
C. Femur
D. Humerus

Answer: C

15. Which is the strongest bone in the body?

A. Humerus
B. Tibia
C. Femur
D. Radius

Answer: C

16. The clavicle is unique because it:

A. Is a flat bone
B. Ossifies entirely after birth
C. Is the first bone to begin ossification
D. Contains red marrow throughout life

Answer: C

Explanation: The clavicle is the first bone to start ossification during fetal development.

17. Which bone is commonly known as the collar bone?

A. Scapula
B. Clavicle
C. Sternum
D. Humerus

Answer: B

18. The shoulder blade is called:

A. Clavicle
B. Humerus
C. Scapula
D. Ulna

Answer: C

19. The largest flat bone in the body is:

A. Sternum
B. Scapula
C. Ilium
D. Frontal bone

Answer: B

20. Which carpal bone commonly fractures after a fall on an outstretched hand?

A. Lunate
B. Scaphoid
C. Pisiform
D. Trapezium

Answer: B

21. The adult appendicular skeleton contains:

A. 80 bones
B. 126 bones
C. 120 bones
D. 206 bones

Answer: B

22. Which of the following is NOT a function of bones?

A. Protection
B. Hematopoiesis
C. Hormone secretion for digestion
D. Mineral storage

Answer: C

23. The bone forming the upper jaw is

A. Mandible
B. Maxilla
C. Zygomatic
D. Nasal bone

Answer: B

24. The only movable bone of the skull is:

A. Maxilla
B. Zygomatic
C. Mandible
D. Frontal bone

Answer: C

25. Which bone transmits body weight from the vertebral column to the lower limbs?

A. Femur
B. Tibia
C. Pelvic girdle
D. Fibula

Answer: C

26. A joint that permits movement in only one plane is:

A. Ball-and-socket joint
B. Pivot joint
C. Hinge joint
D. Saddle joint

Answer: C

27. The elbow joint is an example of:

A. Pivot joint
B. Hinge joint
C. Saddle joint
D. Plane joint

Answer: B

28. Which joint permits movement in all planes, including rotation?

A. Hinge joint
B. Condyloid joint
C. Ball-and-socket joint
D. Plane joint

Answer: C

29. The shoulder joint is classified as:

A. Pivot joint
B. Hinge joint
C. Ball-and-socket joint
D. Saddle joint

Answer: C

30. The atlas vertebra is characterized by:

A. Presence of body and spinous process
B. Absence of body and spinous process
C. Presence of dens
D. Fusion of vertebrae

Answer: B

31. The dens (odontoid process) is a feature of:

A. Atlas
B. Axis
C. Sacrum
D. Lumbar vertebra

Answer: B

32. Which region of the vertebral column bears the greatest body weight?

A. Cervical
B. Thoracic
C. Lumbar
D. Coccygeal

Answer: C

33. The number of cervical vertebrae is:

A. 5
B. 7
C. 12
D. 8

Answer: B

34. Which of the following is an irregular bone?

A. Sternum
B. Femur
C. Vertebra
D. Radius

Answer: C

35. The pelvic girdle is formed by the fusion of:

A. Ilium, ischium, and pubis
B. Femur, tibia, and fibula
C. Sacrum and coccyx only
D. Clavicle and scapula

Answer: A

36. Which bone is absent in the forearm?

A. Radius
B. Ulna
C. Humerus
D. Both radius and ulna

Answer: C

37. The bone located on the thumb side of the forearm is:

A. Ulna
B. Radius
C. Humerus
D. Scaphoid

Answer: B

38. Which statement regarding the fibula is correct?

A. It bears most of the body weight
B. It is medial to the tibia
C. It is lateral and provides muscle attachment
D. It forms the kneecap

Answer: C

39. The joint between the first cervical vertebra and the skull is:

A. Pivot joint
B. Condyloid joint
C. Hinge joint
D. Saddle joint

Answer: B

40. Which statement is TRUE regarding synovial joints?

A. They lack a joint cavity
B. They are immovable
C. They contain synovial fluid
D. Bones are joined by fibrous tissue only

Answer: C

41. The intervertebral discs are examples of:

A. Synovial joints
B. Fibrous joints
C. Secondary cartilaginous joints
D. Saddle joints

Answer: C

42. Which type of joint is found between skull bones?

A. Synovial
B. Fibrous suture
C. Cartilaginous
D. Saddle

Answer: B

43. Bone serves as a reservoir primarily for:

A. Sodium and potassium
B. Calcium and phosphorus
C. Iron and copper
D. Zinc and magnesium

Answer: B

44. Which bone contributes to the formation of the hip joint?

A. Radius
B. Ulna
C. Femur
D. Fibula

Answer: C

45. A student identifies a bone as having a shaft and two ends. It is most likely a:

A. Short bone
B. Flat bone
C. Long bone
D. Irregular bone

Answer: C

46. Which pair is correctly matched?

A. Humerus: thigh bone
B. Femur: arm bone
C. Tibia: shin bone
D. Radius: leg bone

Answer: C

The shin bone, medically known as the tibia, is the larger, weight-bearing bone of the lower leg that runs from the knee to the ankle.

47. The wrist contains:

A. 5 carpals
B. 7 carpals
C. 8 carpals
D. 10 carpals

Answer: C

48. The ankle contains:

A. 5 tarsal bones
B. 7 tarsal bones
C. 8 tarsal bones
D. 14 tarsal bones

Answer: B

49. Which joint type is present between the atlas and axis?

A. Hinge
B. Pivot
C. Saddle
D. Condyloid

Answer: B

50. The major functions of the skeletal system include all EXCEPT:

A. Support and protection
B. Blood cell formation
C. Mineral storage
D. Synthesis of digestive enzymes

Answer: D

Exam-Oriented Memory Points

• Total bones: 206

• Axial skeleton: 80 bones

• Appendicular skeleton: 126 bones

• Vertebrae: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar

• True ribs: 1–7

• False ribs: 8–10

• Floating ribs: 11–12

• Longest & strongest bone: Femur

• Smallest bone: Stapes

• Largest sesamoid bone: Patella

• Only movable skull bone: Mandible

• First vertebra: Atlas (C1)

• Second vertebra: Axis (C2)

• The most common fractured carpal is the scaphoid

• Ball-and-socket joints: Shoulder, Hip

• Hinge joints: Elbow, Knee

• Pivot joint: Atlanto-axial joint

• Fibrous joint: Skull sutures

• Cartilaginous joint: Intervertebral discs

• Synovial joints: Freely movable joints containing synovial fluid.

Dr Alok Singh