Anatomy and Physiology: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 4 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Practice problems

1.Human anatomyMedium

Which cranial nerve controls movement of the tongue?

  1. AGlossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
  2. BFacial nerve (VII)
  3. CHypoglossal nerve (XII)
  4. DVagus nerve (X)
2.Human anatomyHard

During a lumbar puncture, which ligament is the last one pierced before the needle enters the epidural space?

  1. ASupraspinous ligament
  2. BLigamentum flavum
  3. CInterspinous ligament
  4. DPosterior longitudinal ligament
3.Human physiologyMedium

According to Poiseuille's law, if the radius of an arteriole halves, its resistance to flow:

  1. AIncreases 4-fold
  2. BHalves
  3. CDoubles
  4. DIncreases about 16-fold
4.Human physiologyHard

In Otto Loewi's classic experiment, fluid from a vagus-stimulated frog heart slowed a second heart. What did this show?

  1. AThe heart beats without any nerve supply
  2. BNerve impulses spread through the fluid directly as electricity
  3. CThe vagus nerve speeds up the heart
  4. DNerves pass signals to their targets by releasing a chemical

2Solutions

1.Human anatomy

Answer: C · Hypoglossal nerve (XII)

Why this is the answer

The hypoglossal nerve supplies the intrinsic and most extrinsic tongue muscles. A lesion makes the protruded tongue deviate towards the affected side.

Answer

C · Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
2.Human anatomy

Answer: B · Ligamentum flavum

Why this is the answer

The needle passes skin, supraspinous and interspinous ligaments, then ligamentum flavum into the epidural space, then dura and arachnoid into the subarachnoid space.

Answer

B · Ligamentum flavum
3.Human physiology

Answer: D · Increases about 16-fold

Why this is the answer

Resistance is proportional to 1/r⁴, so halving the radius raises resistance by 2⁴ = 16. This is why small changes in arteriole diameter control blood flow so strongly.

Answer

D · Increases about 16-fold
4.Human physiology

Answer: D · Nerves pass signals to their targets by releasing a chemical

Why this is the answer

The fluid carried "Vagusstoff", later identified as acetylcholine. This was the first clear evidence for chemical neurotransmission.

Answer

D · Nerves pass signals to their targets by releasing a chemical

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