MBLEx Test Anatomy and Physiology Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client's chart indicates they have difficulty with abduction of the shoulder. Which of the following movements is impaired?
- Lifting the arm out to the side, away from the body (Correct answer)
- Bringing the arm across the chest, toward the midline
- Turning the palm to face upward
- Bending the elbow to touch the shoulder
Correct answer: Lifting the arm out to the side, away from the body
Abduction is an anatomical term of motion that refers to moving a limb or other body part away from the midline of the body. In the context of the shoulder, this means lifting the arm laterally, out to the side.
Question 2: Which of the following is a primary function of the integumentary system relevant to massage therapy?
- Production of red blood cells
- Secretion of digestive enzymes
- Contraction to produce movement
- Sensation of touch and pressure (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Sensation of touch and pressure
The integumentary system, which consists of the skin, hair, nails, and glands, contains numerous sensory receptors. These receptors detect stimuli like touch, pressure, temperature, and pain, which are all directly engaged during a massage session.
Question 3: A massage therapist is working with a client to increase their hip flexion. This movement occurs primarily in which anatomical plane?
- Frontal (Coronal)
- Transverse (Horizontal)
- Sagittal (Correct answer)
- Oblique
Correct answer: Sagittal
The sagittal plane divides the body into right and left halves. Movements that occur in this plane are forward and backward motions, such as flexion and extension. Hip flexion, the act of bringing the knee towards the chest, is a clear example of movement within the sagittal plane.
Question 4: Which endocrine gland is often referred to as the 'master gland' because it controls the functions of many other endocrine glands?
- Adrenal gland
- Pituitary gland (Correct answer)
- Thyroid gland
- Pancreas
Correct answer: Pituitary gland
The pituitary gland is known as the 'master gland' because it produces hormones that regulate the function of many other endocrine glands throughout the body, including the thyroid, adrenal glands, and gonads.
Question 5: During a post-event sports massage, the therapist works on a client's quadriceps. The client is asked to slowly lower their leg from a straightened position against the therapist's resistance. What type of muscle contraction is the client performing?
- Isometric
- Concentric
- Eccentric (Correct answer)
- Isokinetic
Correct answer: Eccentric
An eccentric contraction occurs when a muscle lengthens under tension. In this scenario, the quadriceps are actively controlling the descent of the leg, elongating while resisting the force applied by the therapist. This is a common way to control movement and decelerate a limb.
Question 6: Which proprioceptor is located at the junction between a muscle and its tendon and is responsible for detecting changes in muscle tension?
- Pacinian corpuscle
- Ruffini ending
- Muscle spindle
- Golgi tendon organ (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Golgi tendon organ
The Golgi tendon organ (GTO) is a proprioceptive sensory receptor located at the musculotendinous junction. Its primary function is to sense changes in muscle tension. When tension becomes too high, the GTO initiates a reflex that inhibits muscle contraction, protecting the muscle and tendon from injury.
MBLEx Test Anatomy and Physiology Questions and Answers
A client's chart indicates they have difficulty with abduction of the shoulder.
Which of the following movements is impaired?