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Medical Terminology

Musculoskeletal.

Musculoskeletal questions from the Medical Terminology track. Drill the ones you don't know yet. Skip what you've mastered.

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Post-NGN questions with verified answers and rationales. This is the core drill.

Which combining form refers to bone?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aOsteoCorrect
  • bMyo
  • cArthro
  • dHemo
Rationale

Osteo- refers to bone. It appears in terms like osteomyelitis, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. Myo refers to muscle. Arthro refers to joint. Hemo refers to blood.

Source recency: 2025

Which bone cells resorb (break down) bone?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aOsteogenic cells
  • bOsteoblasts
  • cOsteoclastsCorrect
  • dOsteocytes
Rationale

Osteoclasts are cells that resorb (break down) bone. Osteogenic cells are stem cells that undergo mitosis. Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells that differentiate from osteogenic cells. Osteocytes are mature bone cells.

Source recency: 2025

Which combining form refers to bone marrow?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aPeri
  • bMyeloCorrect
  • cOsteo
  • dChondro
Rationale

Myelo refers to bone marrow. For example, myeloid cells are blood cells originating from the bone marrow. Peri means around. Osteo refers to bone. Chondro refers to cartilage.

Source recency: 2025

The combining form costo- refers to which structure?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aRibsCorrect
  • bSternum
  • cClavicle
  • dScapula
Rationale

Costo- refers to the ribs. Costochondritis, for example, means inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum. The sternum (breastbone) uses the prefix sterno-. The clavicle (collarbone) uses claviculo-. The scapula (shoulder blade) uses scapulo-.

Source recency: 2025

Which of the following is a bone of the pelvis?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aScapula
  • bPatella
  • cMetatarsals
  • dIschiumCorrect
Rationale

The bones of the pelvis are the ilium, ischium, and pubis. The scapula is found in the shoulder. The patella (kneecap) and metatarsals are found in the lower limb.

Source recency: 2025

What connects a muscle to a bone?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aLigaments
  • bCartilage
  • cTendonsCorrect
  • dFascia
Rationale

Tendons connect muscle to bone. Ligaments connect bone to bone. Cartilage is found over the articular surfaces of bones. Fascia are connective tissues that cover muscles, bones, nerves, and organs.

Source recency: 2025

Which muscle abducts the upper arm?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aTrapezius
  • bDeltoidCorrect
  • cBiceps
  • dTriceps
Rationale

The deltoid muscle abducts the upper arm. The trapezius muscle extends the head and neck. The biceps flexes the elbow. The triceps extends the elbow.

Source recency: 2025

When the palm faces upward, the arm is described as being in which position?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aSupineCorrect
  • bProne
  • cLateral
  • dMedial
Rationale

When the palm faces upward, the arm is said to be supine (supination). When the palm faces downward, the arm is in the prone position (pronation).

Source recency: 2025

Which condition involves softening of the bone?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aOsteoporosis
  • bOsteomyelitis
  • cOsteosarcoma
  • dOsteomalaciaCorrect
Rationale

Osteo- refers to bone, and malacia means softening. Osteomalacia is softening of the bone. Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become brittle. Osteomyelitis is infection of the bone and bone marrow (osteo = bone, myelo = bone marrow, -itis = inflammation). Osteosarcoma is bone cancer.

Source recency: 2025

Which condition involves widespread musculoskeletal pain?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aOsteomyelitis
  • bRheumatoid arthritis
  • cFibromyalgiaCorrect
  • dChondritis
Rationale

Myo refers to muscle and -algia means pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition with widespread musculoskeletal pain. Other muscular disorders include myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, and muscular dystrophy. Osteomyelitis is infection of bone and bone marrow. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition with joint inflammation (arthro = joint). Chondritis is inflammation of cartilage (chondro- = cartilage).

Source recency: 2025

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