PMC Infant Anatomy & Physiology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which bone growth zone in children must be protected during massage?
- Periosteum
- Epiphyseal (growth) plate (Correct answer)
- Diaphysis
- Endosteum
Correct answer: Epiphyseal (growth) plate
The epiphyseal plate is the cartilaginous zone where long bone growth occurs and can be damaged by excessive pressure.
Question 2: Compared to adults, the skin of infants has a higher rate of:
- Melanin production
- Transdermal absorption (Correct answer)
- Collagen cross-linking
- Sebum secretion
Correct answer: Transdermal absorption
Infant skin has a higher surface-area-to-body-weight ratio and thinner stratum corneum, leading to significantly greater transdermal absorption of oils and substances.
Question 3: At what age does the posterior fontanelle typically close?
- At birth
- 6–8 weeks (Correct answer)
- 6 months
- 12 months
Correct answer: 6–8 weeks
The posterior fontanelle is small and usually closes by 6 to 8 weeks of age.
Question 4: The myelination of peripheral nerves in infants is:
- Complete at birth
- Incomplete and continues throughout childhood (Correct answer)
- Absent until age 2
- Faster than in adults
Correct answer: Incomplete and continues throughout childhood
Nerve myelination is incomplete at birth and continues developing throughout childhood, which influences sensory processing and response to touch.
Question 5: Which muscle is the largest and most developed at birth, making it a common site of infant massage?
- Gastrocnemius
- Deltoid
- Quadriceps femoris (Correct answer)
- Gluteus maximus
Correct answer: Quadriceps femoris
The quadriceps femoris group is well-developed at birth due to kicking activity in utero and is a safe, effective area for infant leg massage.
Question 6: What normal physiological phenomenon causes a newborn's skin to appear yellow in the first few days of life?
- Cyanosis
- Physiological jaundice (Correct answer)
- Erythema toxicum
- Cutis marmorata
Correct answer: Physiological jaundice
Physiological jaundice results from the breakdown of fetal hemoglobin and the newborn liver's immature ability to process bilirubin.
PMC Infant Anatomy & Physiology 2
Which bone growth zone in children must be protected during massage?