🧠 NCLEX Anatomy MCQs (Part 3: 101–150)
Preparing for the NCLEX Nursing Exam requires a strong command over Anatomy, as it forms the foundation of medical and nursing knowledge. This set of NCLEX Anatomy MCQs (101–150) has been carefully designed to help nursing students, medical aspirants, and healthcare professionals strengthen their understanding of the human body. Each question includes clear answers and detailed explanations, ensuring both learning and exam success. Whether you’re revising for NCLEX-RN, NCLEX-PN, or other global nursing exams, these practice MCQs will help sharpen your concepts.
101. Which bone is the longest in the human body?
A) Tibia
B) Femur ✅
C) Humerus
D) Fibula
Explanation: The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the body, located in the thigh.
102. The functional unit of the kidney is called:
A) Nephron ✅
B) Glomerulus
C) Loop of Henle
D) Bowman’s capsule
Explanation: The nephron is the structural and functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtration and urine formation.
103. The medulla oblongata controls which vital functions?
A) Movement and balance
B) Vision and hearing
C) Breathing and heartbeat ✅
D) Memory storage
Explanation: The medulla oblongata regulates vital processes like respiration, heartbeat, and blood pressure.
104. How many chambers does the human heart have?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4 ✅
D) 5
Explanation: The human heart has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles.
105. The clavicle is commonly known as the:
A) Shoulder blade
B) Breastbone
C) Collarbone ✅
D) Hip bone
Explanation: The clavicle is called the collarbone, connecting the sternum to the scapula.
106. The main muscle responsible for breathing is:
A) Intercostal muscles
B) Abdominal muscles
C) Diaphragm ✅
D) Pectoralis major
Explanation: The diaphragm contracts and relaxes to facilitate inhalation and exhalation.
107. The cerebrum is responsible for:
A) Balance and coordination
B) Involuntary actions
C) Voluntary actions and intelligence ✅
D) Heartbeat control
Explanation: The cerebrum controls higher brain functions like reasoning, emotions, and voluntary movements.
108. Which organ stores bile?
A) Pancreas
B) Gallbladder ✅
C) Liver
D) Small intestine
Explanation: The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver and releases it during digestion.
109. The smallest bone in the human body is located in the:
A) Nose
B) Ear ✅
C) Eye
D) Foot
Explanation: The stapes bone in the middle ear is the smallest bone in the human body.
110. The structure connecting muscles to bones is called:
A) Ligament
B) Cartilage
C) Tendon ✅
D) Fascia
Explanation: Tendons are tough connective tissues that attach muscles to bones.
111. Which artery supplies blood to the brain?
A) Carotid artery ✅
B) Pulmonary artery
C) Aorta
D) Coronary artery
Explanation: The carotid arteries deliver oxygenated blood to the brain.
112. The human skeleton is divided into:
A) Two parts ✅
B) Three parts
C) Four parts
D) Five parts
Explanation: The skeleton has two main divisions: axial skeleton and appendicular skeleton.
113. The small intestine has three regions. Which is the first part?
A) Ileum
B) Jejunum
C) Duodenum ✅
D) Cecum
Explanation: The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine where digestion begins.
114. The outer covering of the brain is called:
A) Myelin sheath
B) Meninges ✅
C) Skull
D) Cortex
Explanation: The meninges are protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
115. Which joint allows movement in all directions?
A) Hinge joint
B) Pivot joint
C) Ball-and-socket joint ✅
D) Saddle joint
Explanation: The ball-and-socket joint (e.g., shoulder, hip) permits rotational and multi-directional movement.
116. Which part of the eye regulates the amount of light entering?
A) Retina
B) Iris ✅
C) Cornea
D) Lens
Explanation: The iris controls the size of the pupil and regulates light entry.
117. Which gland is called the “master gland”?
A) Thyroid
B) Adrenal
C) Pituitary ✅
D) Pineal
Explanation: The pituitary gland controls many other endocrine glands, hence called the “master gland.”
118. The scapula is also known as the:
A) Shoulder blade ✅
B) Breastbone
C) Collarbone
D) Spine
Explanation: The scapula is commonly referred to as the shoulder blade.
119. Which type of blood cells help fight infections?
A) Red blood cells
B) White blood cells ✅
C) Platelets
D) Plasma
Explanation: White blood cells (WBCs) defend the body against pathogens and infections.
120. The pancreas is both an:
A) Endocrine and exocrine gland ✅
B) Digestive organ only
C) Endocrine gland only
D) Lymphatic organ
Explanation: The pancreas functions as both endocrine (insulin, glucagon) and exocrine (digestive enzymes) gland.
121. Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
A) Pulmonary artery
B) Pulmonary vein ✅
C) Aorta
D) Vena cava
Explanation: The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium of the heart.
122. The functional unit of the liver is called:
A) Hepatocyte
B) Lobule ✅
C) Nephron
D) Islet of Langerhans
Explanation: The hepatic lobule is the structural and functional unit of the liver.
123. Which part of the ear is responsible for balance?
A) Cochlea
B) Semicircular canals ✅
C) Eardrum
D) Ossicles
Explanation: The semicircular canals contain fluid and sensory receptors that help maintain balance.
124. Which type of joint is present in the knee?
A) Ball-and-socket
B) Hinge ✅
C) Pivot
D) Saddle
Explanation: The knee joint is a hinge joint, allowing flexion and extension.
125. Which cells are responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood?
A) White blood cells
B) Platelets
C) Red blood cells ✅
D) Plasma cells
Explanation: Red blood cells (RBCs) contain hemoglobin, which transports oxygen.
126. The spinal cord is protected by:
A) Vertebral column ✅
B) Ribs
C) Skull
D) Cartilage
Explanation: The vertebral column encloses and protects the spinal cord.
127. Which valve prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium?
A) Tricuspid valve
B) Mitral (bicuspid) valve ✅
C) Pulmonary valve
D) Aortic valve
Explanation: The mitral valve prevents blood from flowing back into the left atrium.
128. The thyroid gland is located in the:
A) Chest cavity
B) Neck ✅
C) Brain
D) Abdomen
Explanation: The thyroid gland lies in the neck, just below the Adam’s apple.
129. Which part of the brain controls voluntary muscle movement?
A) Cerebrum ✅
B) Cerebellum
C) Medulla
D) Hypothalamus
Explanation: The cerebrum governs voluntary movements, emotions, and thought processes.
130. The red bone marrow is mainly responsible for:
A) Fat storage
B) Blood cell production ✅
C) Hormone secretion
D) Calcium absorption
Explanation: Red bone marrow produces red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
131. Which layer of the skin contains sweat glands and hair follicles?
A) Epidermis
B) Dermis ✅
C) Hypodermis
D) Stratum corneum
Explanation: The dermis contains connective tissue, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles.
132. The primary function of platelets is:
A) Oxygen transport
B) Blood clotting ✅
C) Immunity
D) Digestion
Explanation: Platelets are essential for clotting and preventing excessive bleeding.
133. Which organ produces insulin?
A) Liver
B) Pancreas ✅
C) Kidney
D) Stomach
Explanation: The pancreas produces insulin from the islets of Langerhans.
134. The largest artery in the human body is:
A) Carotid artery
B) Pulmonary artery
C) Aorta ✅
D) Femoral artery
Explanation: The aorta is the main artery carrying blood from the heart to the body.
135. The trachea is commonly known as the:
A) Windpipe ✅
B) Food pipe
C) Voice box
D) Throat
Explanation: The trachea or windpipe carries air to and from the lungs.
136. Which muscle is responsible for pumping blood in the human body?
A) Skeletal muscle
B) Smooth muscle
C) Cardiac muscle ✅
D) Voluntary muscle
Explanation: Cardiac muscle, found only in the heart, contracts continuously to pump blood.
137. The cerebellum controls:
A) Intelligence
B) Breathing
C) Balance and coordination ✅
D) Hormone release
Explanation: The cerebellum maintains balance, posture, and coordination of voluntary movements.
138. Which blood group is known as the “universal donor”?
A) A
B) B
C) AB
D) O negative ✅
Explanation: O negative blood can be transfused to patients of all blood groups.
139. Which hormone regulates metabolism?
A) Insulin
B) Thyroxine ✅
C) Cortisol
D) Estrogen
Explanation: The thyroxine hormone, secreted by the thyroid gland, regulates metabolism.
140. The rib cage protects which organs?
A) Liver and pancreas
B) Heart and lungs ✅
C) Stomach and intestines
D) Brain and spinal cord
Explanation: The rib cage protects vital organs like the heart and lungs.
141. The optic nerve carries impulses from:
A) Eye to brain ✅
B) Brain to ear
C) Ear to brain
D) Brain to muscles
Explanation: The optic nerve transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.
142. Which structure separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity?
A) Rib cage
B) Diaphragm ✅
C) Sternum
D) Pleura
Explanation: The diaphragm is the muscular partition between the chest and abdomen.
143. The functional unit of the lungs is:
A) Bronchi
B) Alveoli ✅
C) Pleura
D) Trachea
Explanation: Alveoli are tiny sacs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs.
144. The sternum is also called the:
A) Breastbone ✅
B) Collarbone
C) Shoulder blade
D) Back bone
Explanation: The sternum is a flat bone located in the center of the chest.
145. Which type of muscle is voluntary?
A) Smooth muscle
B) Cardiac muscle
C) Skeletal muscle ✅
D) Involuntary muscle
Explanation: Skeletal muscles are voluntary and under conscious control.
146. Which part of the brain regulates body temperature?
A) Cerebellum
B) Hypothalamus ✅
C) Medulla
D) Thalamus
Explanation: The hypothalamus regulates temperature, hunger, thirst, and circadian rhythms.
147. Which structure connects the pharynx to the stomach?
A) Trachea
B) Esophagus ✅
C) Larynx
D) Bronchi
Explanation: The esophagus carries food from the pharynx to the stomach.
148. The smallest unit of life is:
A) Tissue
B) Organ
C) Cell ✅
D) Organ system
Explanation: The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life.
149. Which organ is responsible for detoxification in the body?
A) Kidney
B) Liver ✅
C) Lungs
D) Skin
Explanation: The liver detoxifies harmful substances and metabolizes drugs.
150. The vertebral column in humans consists of:
A) 26 bones ✅
B) 28 bones
C) 32 bones
D) 33 bones
Explanation: The vertebral column consists of 26 bones (after fusion of sacral and coccygeal vertebrae).
You’ve just completed Part 3 (MCQs 101–150) of our NCLEX Anatomy series. These MCQs are not only exam-oriented but also designed to improve your practical medical understanding. Keep practicing to build accuracy and confidence. Don’t forget to review Part 1 (1–50) and Part 2 (51–100) for a complete preparation journey.