Muscles of the Trunk Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A broad superficial muscle covers much of the lower posterior trunk and inserts on the humerus. Which muscle is it?
Latissimus dorsi
Erector spinae
Trapezius
Quadratus lumborum
2. Which midline structure is formed by the interweaving aponeuroses of the flat abdominal muscles?
Inguinal ligament
Linea semilunaris
Linea alba
Arcuate line
3. A therapist asks someone to tighten the abdominal wall as though drawing in a wide corset, with little trunk movement. Which muscle is being emphasized?
Rectus abdominis
External oblique
Transversus abdominis
Erector spinae
4. A person rotates the trunk to the right. Which abdominal-muscle pairing contributes most directly to that movement?
Left external oblique and right internal oblique
Right external oblique and left internal oblique
Both right and left rectus abdominis
Left transversus abdominis and right rectus abdominis
5. During a quiet inhalation, which muscular action most directly increases the vertical dimension of the thoracic cavity?
Relaxation and elevation of the diaphragm
Relaxation and descent of the external intercostals
Contraction and ascent of rectus abdominis
Contraction and descent of the diaphragm
6. What creates the segmented appearance commonly visible along rectus abdominis?
The arcuate lines
The costal cartilages
The tendinous intersections
The inguinal ligaments
7. Which trunk muscle can stabilize the 12th rib during breathing while also contributing to lateral flexion of the lumbar spine?
Multifidus
Quadratus lumborum
Rectus abdominis
Serratus anterior
8. If the right quadratus lumborum contracts without matching contraction on the left, what movement is most likely?
Rotation of the trunk to the left
Lateral flexion of the trunk to the right
Flexion of the trunk directly forward
Rotation of the trunk to the right without lateral flexion
9. Which muscles are generally the deepest and shortest members of the transversospinalis group?
Iliocostalis
Semispinalis
Multifidus
Rotatores
10. A nerve traveling laterally through the abdominal wall is most likely to run in which muscular plane?
Between skin and external oblique
Between internal oblique and transversus abdominis
Between external and internal oblique
Between transversus abdominis and the peritoneal cavity
11. Which muscle group is most directly responsible for extending the vertebral column when a person raises the torso from a prone position?
Erector spinae
Internal intercostals
Rectus abdominis
Transversus abdominis
12. Which deep back muscle is especially important for segmental stabilization of the vertebrae during small postural adjustments?
Latissimus dorsi
Iliocostalis
Multifidus
External oblique
13. During forceful coughing, which muscular response helps drive air out by raising intra-abdominal pressure and pushing the diaphragm upward?
Contraction of the abdominal-wall muscles
Relaxation of the abdominal-wall muscles
Contraction of the diaphragm alone
Contraction of the deep back extensors alone
14. While inhaling quietly, a person elevates and stabilizes the ribs to expand the thoracic cavity. Which muscles contribute most directly?
Transversus abdominis
Rectus abdominis
Internal obliques
External intercostals
15. In the intercostal space, where does the main intercostal neurovascular bundle usually travel?
Superficial to the external intercostal muscle
Between the external and internal intercostal muscles
Deep to the endothoracic fascia
Between the internal and innermost intercostal muscles
16. A structure passes through the diaphragm at approximately the T10 vertebral level. Which structure is it?
Inferior vena cava
Esophagus
Thoracic duct
Aorta