🧠 Anatomy & Physiology MCQs – Flashcards

📘 Set – 5 | Nursing Entrance & Licensing Exams

👉 Tap on each flashcard to reveal the correct answer with explanation

This Set–5 Flashcard Series is specially designed for students preparing for competitive nursing exams worldwide such as NCLEX (USA), CGFNS (USA), NORCET & Nursing Officer Exams (India), OSCE-based Nursing Exams, ANMAC (Australia), NCNZ (New Zealand), PNB / CBT Staff Nurse Exams, and other international nursing recruitment & licensing examinations.

Question 51: Which term describes the direction towards the head of the body?

A. Inferior

B. Superior

C. Posterior

D. Distal

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: B — Superior

The term superior refers to a structure located towards the head or upper part of the body.

Example: The head is superior to the neck.

Question 52: In which direction is the liver located compared to the lungs?

A. Superior

B. Inferior

C. Medial

D. Superficial

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: B — Inferior

The liver is located below the lungs, therefore it is described as inferior.

Example: The lungs are superior to the liver.

Question 53: In which direction is the sternum located compared to the heart?

A. Posterior

B. Lateral

C. Anterior

D. Inferior

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: C — Anterior

The sternum is located in front of the heart, which is the definition of anterior.

Example: The rib cage protects the heart anteriorly.

Question 54: In which direction is the esophagus located compared to the trachea?

A. Anterior

B. Superior

C. Posterior

D. Medial

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: C — Posterior

The esophagus lies behind the trachea, so its position is described as posterior.

Example: Food passes through the esophagus posterior to the trachea.

Question 55: How is the ulna positioned compared to the radius?

A. Lateral

B. Distal

C. Medial

D. Superficial

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: C — Medial

The ulna is positioned closer to the midline of the body compared to the radius.

Therefore, the ulna is described as medial to the radius.

Question 56: In which direction are the lungs located compared to the heart?

A. Medial

B. Lateral

C. Inferior

D. Deep

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: B — Lateral

The lungs are located on either side of the heart, so their position is described as lateral.

Example: The right lung is lateral to the heart, as is the left lung.

Question 57: Which term describes an organ located between two structures?

A. Ipsilateral

B. Intermediate

C. Contralateral

D. Distal

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: B — Intermediate

A structure located between two other structures is called intermediate.

Example: The clavicle is intermediate between the sternum and the shoulder.

Question 58: The correct term for organs located on the same side is—

A. Contralateral

B. Ipsilateral

C. Medial

D. Deep

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: B — Ipsilateral

Organs on the same side of the body are called ipsilateral.

Example: Right arm and right leg are ipsilateral.

Question 59: What are organs located on opposite sides of the body called?

A. Ipsilateral

B. Proximal

C. Contralateral

D. Superficial

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: C — Contralateral

Organs on opposite sides of the body are called contralateral.

Example: Right arm and left arm are contralateral.

Question 60: In which direction is the humerus located compared to the radius?

A. Distal

B. Proximal

C. Superficial

D. Lateral

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: B — Proximal

The humerus is closer to the shoulder joint than the radius, so it is described as proximal.

Example: The elbow is distal to the shoulder.

Question 61: How are the phalanges positioned compared to the carpals?

A. Proximal

B. Medial

C. Distal

D. Deep

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: C — Distal

The phalanges (fingers/toes) are farther from the wrist/ankle than the carpals (wrist bones), so they are distal.

Example: Fingertips are distal to the wrist.

Question 62: What is the term for a structure located near the surface of the body?

A. Deep

B. Inferior

C. Superficial

D. Medial

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: C — Superficial

Structures near the surface of the body are called superficial.

Example: The skin is superficial to the muscles underneath.

Question 63: How are the ribs positioned in relation to the skin?

A. Superficial

B. Deep

C. Lateral

D. Distal

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: B — Deep

Ribs lie underneath the skin, so they are described as deep.

Example: Muscles and bones are deep compared to skin.

Question 64: An organ located away from the midline is called—

A. Medial

B. Lateral

C. Intermediate

D. Proximal

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: B — Lateral

Structures away from the midline of the body are called lateral.

Example: The arms are lateral to the chest.

Question 65: An organ located near the midline of the body is called—

A. Distal

B. Lateral

C. Medial

D. Inferior

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: C — Medial

Structures near the midline of the body are called medial.

Example: The sternum is medial to the lungs.

Question 66: The nurse states: “The heart is located above the liver.” Which directional term is correct?

A. Inferior

B. Superior

C. Medial

D. Superficial

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: B — Superior

The heart is located above the liver; “above” corresponds to the term superior.

Example: The head is superior to the neck.

Question 67: In which direction is the esophagus located in relation to the trachea?

A. Anterior

B. Posterior

C. Lateral

D. Inferior

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: B — Posterior

The esophagus lies behind the trachea, making its direction posterior.

Example: Food passes posterior to the trachea.

Question 68: While explaining the anatomy of the hand, the nurse says, “The fingers are further from the point of attachment than the wrist.” Which directional term does this represent?

A. Proximal

B. Superficial

C. Distal

D. Medial

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: C — Distal

Fingers are farther from the point of attachment (wrist) than the wrist itself, so they are distal.

Example: Fingertips are distal to the elbow.

Question 69: Both lungs are located on either side of the heart. Which directional term correctly describes this position?

A. Medial

B. Intermediate

C. Lateral

D. Ipsilateral

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: C — Lateral

Lungs are located on either side of the heart, which is the lateral position.

Example: Arms are lateral to the chest.

Question 70: What relationship do the ascending colon and descending colon represent in the body?

A. Ipsilateral

B. Medial

C. Contralateral

D. Intermediate

▴

Rationale

Correct Answer: C — Contralateral

Ascending and descending colons are on opposite sides of the body; this is contralateral.

Example: Right and left arms are contralateral structures.

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