MCQ QUESTIONS ON SKELETAL SYSTEM

1. Which of the following is NOT a function of the skeletal system?

A. Support

B. Blood cell production

C. Vitamin D synthesis

D. Protection

2. Which type of bone is found in the wrist and ankle?

A. Long bone

B. Irregular bone

C. Short bone

D. Flat bone

3. The shaft of a long bone is called the:

A. Epiphysis

B. Diaphysis

C. Metaphysis

D. Periosteum

4. Which of the following bones is part of the axial skeleton?

A. Humerus

B. Femur

C. Sternum

D. Pelvis

5. Osteocytes are housed in small cavities called:

A. Lamellae

B. Lacunae

C. Canaliculi

D. Osteons

6. Which mineral is most abundant in the bone matrix?

A. Iron

B. Sodium

C. Calcium

D. Magnesium

7. The end of a long bone is known as the:

A. Diaphysis

B. Epiphysis

C. Medullary cavity

D. Compact bone

8. Which bone protects the brain?

A. Scapula

B. Mandible

C. Cranium

D. Clavicle

9. The bone that does not articulate with any other bone is the:

A. Maxilla

B. Sternum

C. Hyoid

D. Patella

10. The vertebral column consists of how many vertebrae in total (typically)?

A. 24

B. 26

C. 33

D. 30

11. Which type of joint allows for the widest range of motion?

A. Hinge

B. Ball and socket

C. Pivot

D. Gliding

12. Which of the following bones is part of the appendicular skeleton?

A. Skull

B. Ribs

C. Femur

D. Vertebrae

13. Osteoclasts are responsible for:

A. Building new bone

B. Resorbing (breaking down) bone

C. Nourishing osteocytes

D. Forming the periosteum

14. The small canals that connect lacunae in compact bone are called:

A. Central canals

B. Lamellae

C. Canaliculi

D. Trabeculae

15. The longest and strongest bone in the human body is the:

A. Tibia

B. Femur

C. Humerus

D. Radius

16. Red bone marrow is primarily found in:

A. Diaphysis of long bones

B. Epiphysis of long bones

C. Spongy bone of flat bones

D. Compact bone
17. Which of the following bones forms part of the pectoral girdle?

A. Ilium

B. Clavicle

C. Sacrum

D. Femur

18. How many ribs are in the human body?

A. 10 pairs

B. 12 pairs

C. 14 pairs

D. 24 pairs

19. What is the name of the socket in the hip bone that receives the femur?

A. Foramen

B. Fossa

C. Glenoid cavity

D. Acetabulum

20. The process of bone formation is called:

A. Osteolysis

B. Ossification

C. Calcification

D. Remodeling

21. Which hormone increases blood calcium levels by stimulating

osteoclasts?

A. Calcitonin

B. Parathyroid hormone

C. Growth hormone

D. Estrogen
22. Which part of the skeleton includes the skull, vertebral column, and rib
cage?

A. Appendicular skeleton

B. Axial skeleton

C. Central skeleton

D. Cranial skeleton

23. The sutures of the skull are examples of what type of joint?

A. Synovial

B. Cartilaginous

C. Fibrous

D. Hinge

24. Which of these bones is NOT part of the cranium?

A. Frontal

B. Temporal

C. Zygomatic

D. Occipital

25. The carpal bones are found in the:

A. Ankle

B. Wrist

C. Knee

D. Skull

26. Compact bone is organized into structural units called:

A. Lacunae

B. Osteons

C. Cartilage

D. Periosteum

27. The growth plate is also called the:

A. Diaphysis

B. Periosteum

C. Epiphyseal plate

D. Endosteum

28. A fracture that breaks the skin is known as:

A. Simple fracture

B. Greenstick fracture

C. Compound fracture

D. Comminuted fracture

29. What type of joint is found in the shoulder?

A. Hinge

B. Ball and socket

C. Pivot

D. Saddle

30. The small bones of the spine are called:

A. Ribs

B. Vertebrae

C. Pelvis

D. Carpals

31. Which of the following bones contains the foramen magnum?

A. Frontal

B. Temporal

C. Occipital

D. Ethmoid

32. A bone cell that builds bone matrix is a(n):

A. Osteoblast

B. Osteoclast
C. Osteocyte

D. Chondrocyte

33. Which bone forms the forehead?

A. Parietal

B. Temporal

C. Frontal

D. Occipital

34. The bones of the fingers are called:

A. Tarsals

B. Carpals

C. Metacarpals

D. Phalanges

35. Which part of the vertebral column has 5 fused vertebrae?

A. Cervical

B. Thoracic

C. Lumbar

D. Sacral

36. Which structure connects muscle to bone?

A. Ligament

B. Cartilage

C. Tendon

D. Joint capsule

37. The skeletal system is primarily composed of:

A. Ligaments and tendons

B. Bone and cartilage

C. Muscles and bones

D. Skin and bone

38. The hollow cavity in the shaft of a long bone is called the:

A. Epiphysis

B. Medullary cavity

C. Diaphysis

D. Marrow canal

39. The first cervical vertebra is called the:

A. Axis

B. Atlas

C. Sacrum

D. Occiput

40. Bone matrix is hardened primarily by which substance?

A. Collagen

B. Elastin

C. Calcium phosphate

D. Calcium carbonate

41. Which type of cartilage is found at the ends of long bones?

A. Elastic cartilage

B. Fibrocartilage

C. Hyaline cartilage

D. Articular cartilage

42. A rounded articular projection is called a:

A. Condyle

B. Foramen

C. Spine

D. Crest

43. What type of bone marrow produces blood cells?

A. Yellow marrow
B. Red marrow

C. Compact marrow

D. White marrow

44. What is the main function of yellow bone marrow?

A. Blood cell production

B. Fat storage

C. Immunity

D. Bone repair

45. Which of the following joints is an example of a hinge joint?

A. Shoulder

B. Elbow

C. Hip

D. Wrist

46. Bone remodeling involves the activity of:

A. Osteoblasts only

B. Osteoclasts only

C. Both osteoblasts and osteoclasts

D. Chondrocytes

47. The collarbone is also known as the:

A. Scapula

B. Clavicle

C. Sternum

D. Radius

48. The knee cap is medically referred to as the:

A. Tibia

B. Fibula

C. Patella
D. Meniscus

49. Which hormone inhibits osteoclast activity and lowers blood calcium?

A. Parathyroid hormone

B. Calcitonin

C. Testosterone

D. Insulin

50. Which structure is NOT part of a long bone?

A. Epiphysis

B. Diaphysis

C. Medullary cavity

D. Fontanelle

✅ Answers & Explanations

1. C – Vitamin D synthesis occurs in the skin, not the skeletal system.

2. C – Short bones include carpals and tarsals.
3. B – Diaphysis is the shaft of a long bone.
4. C – Sternum is part of the axial skeleton.
5. B – Lacunae house osteocytes.
6. C – Calcium phosphate is most abundant.
7. B – Epiphysis is the end of a long bone.
8. C – The cranium protects the brain.
9. C – The hyoid bone does not articulate with other bones.
10. B – Typically 26 vertebrae (including sacrum and coccyx).
11. B – Ball and socket joints (e.g., hip, shoulder) allow full range.
12. C – Femur is appendicular.
13. B – Osteoclasts break down bone tissue.
14. C – Canaliculi connect lacunae.
15. B – The femur is the longest and strongest bone.
16. C – Red marrow in flat bones like sternum, pelvis.
17. B – Clavicle is part of the shoulder girdle.
18. B – 12 pairs of ribs.
19. D – Acetabulum receives the femur.
20. B – Ossification is bone formation.
21. B – PTH increases blood calcium.
22. B – Axial includes skull, spine, ribs.
23. C – Skull sutures are fibrous joints.
24. C – Zygomatic is a facial (not cranial) bone.
25. B – Carpals are wrist bones.
26. B – Osteons (Haversian systems) are structural units.
27. C – Growth plate is the epiphyseal plate.
28. C – Compound fractures break the skin.
29. B – Shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint.
30. B – Vertebrae are spinal bones.
31. C – Foramen magnum is in the occipital bone.
32. A – Osteoblasts build bone.
33. C – Frontal bone forms the forehead.
34. D – Phalanges are fingers and toes.
35. D – Sacrum has 5 fused vertebrae.
36. C – Tendons connect muscle to bone.
37. B – The skeleton includes bones and cartilage.
38. B – Medullary cavity is in the shaft.
39. B – Atlas is the first cervical vertebra.
40. C – Calcium phosphate hardens bone.
41. D – Articular (hyaline) cartilage is at joints
42. A – A condyle is a rounded projection.
43. B – Red marrow makes blood cells.
44. B – Yellow marrow stores fat.
45. B – Elbow is a hinge joint.
46. C – Both are involved in remodeling.
47. B – Clavicle is the collarbone.
48. C – Patella is the kneecap.
49. B – Calcitonin lowers calcium levels.
50. D – Fontanelles are in infant skulls, not long bones