NCLEX Anatomy MCQs – Part 4 (151–200)
Welcome to Part 4 of our NCLEX Anatomy MCQs series, covering questions 151–200. This section is specially designed for nursing students preparing for the NCLEX exam in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
Each question is followed by the correct answer and a clear explanation, making it easier to understand difficult anatomy concepts. By practicing these MCQs, you will strengthen your knowledge of the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, and nervous systems, along with other essential topics tested on the NCLEX.
Use this set as a practice tool, revise daily, and track your progress as you move toward exam day.
151. Which structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?
A) Intercostal muscles
B) Diaphragm ✅
C) Pleura
D) Pericardium
Explanation: The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and plays a key role in respiration.
152. The pineal gland is located in which part of the brain?
A) Cerebellum
B) Hypothalamus
C) Epithalamus ✅
D) Medulla oblongata
Explanation: The pineal gland is a small endocrine gland in the epithalamus that regulates circadian rhythms by secreting melatonin.
153. Which artery is the main blood supply to the brain?
A) Carotid artery ✅
B) Femoral artery
C) Subclavian artery
D) Jugular vein
Explanation: The internal carotid arteries and vertebral arteries provide the primary blood supply to the brain.
154. The functional unit of the kidney is the:
A) Glomerulus
B) Nephron ✅
C) Ureter
D) Renal pyramid
Explanation: Each kidney contains about 1 million nephrons, which filter blood and form urine.
155. Which bone forms the posterior part of the skull?
A) Temporal bone
B) Occipital bone ✅
C) Frontal bone
D) Parietal bone
Explanation: The occipital bone forms the posterior and inferior base of the skull.
156. The tricuspid valve is located between:
A) Left atrium and left ventricle
B) Right atrium and right ventricle ✅
C) Left ventricle and aorta
D) Right ventricle and pulmonary artery
Explanation: The tricuspid valve prevents backflow of blood between the right atrium and right ventricle.
157. Which connective tissue attaches muscles to bones?
A) Ligaments
B) Tendons ✅
C) Cartilage
D) Fascia
Explanation: Tendons are strong connective tissues that attach muscles to bones, enabling movement.
158. Which cranial nerve is responsible for vision?
A) Optic nerve (II) ✅
B) Oculomotor (III)
C) Trochlear (IV)
D) Facial (VII)
Explanation: The optic nerve transmits visual signals from the retina to the brain.
159. The smallest functional unit of the lung is the:
A) Alveolus ✅
B) Bronchiole
C) Lobe
D) Trachea
Explanation: Alveoli are tiny sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs between air and blood.
160. Which organ is both endocrine and exocrine?
A) Kidney
B) Liver
C) Pancreas ✅
D) Thyroid
Explanation: The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes (exocrine) and hormones like insulin and glucagon (endocrine).
161. Which part of the brain regulates balance and coordination?
A) Cerebrum
B) Brainstem
C) Cerebellum ✅
D) Hypothalamus
Explanation: The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movements and maintains posture and balance.
162. Red blood cells are produced in which tissue?
A) Yellow bone marrow
B) Red bone marrow ✅
C) Cartilage
D) Spleen
Explanation: Red bone marrow is the site of hematopoiesis, producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
163. Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
A) Pulmonary vein ✅
B) Pulmonary artery
C) Aorta
D) Superior vena cava
Explanation: The pulmonary veins are unique because they carry oxygenated blood to the left atrium.
164. The largest part of the human brain is the:
A) Cerebrum ✅
B) Cerebellum
C) Brainstem
D) Thalamus
Explanation: The cerebrum is responsible for higher brain functions such as thought, memory, and voluntary movement.
165. Which gland regulates metabolism?
A) Adrenal gland
B) Pituitary gland
C) Thyroid gland ✅
D) Parathyroid gland
Explanation: The thyroid gland regulates metabolism by secreting hormones like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
166. Which chamber of the heart has the thickest wall?
A) Right atrium
B) Right ventricle
C) Left atrium
D) Left ventricle ✅
Explanation: The left ventricle pumps blood to the whole body, so it has the thickest muscular wall.
167. Which muscle is known as the “kissing muscle”?
A) Masseter
B) Orbicularis oris ✅
C) Buccinator
D) Orbicularis oculi
Explanation: The orbicularis oris controls lip movement and is called the “kissing muscle.”
168. The longest nerve in the human body is the:
A) Sciatic nerve ✅
B) Vagus nerve
C) Phrenic nerve
D) Median nerve
Explanation: The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back through the legs, making it the longest and largest nerve.
169. Which bone is commonly known as the collarbone?
A) Scapula
B) Clavicle ✅
C) Sternum
D) Humerus
Explanation: The clavicle connects the sternum to the scapula and is called the collarbone.
170. Which part of the eye controls the amount of light entering?
A) Retina
B) Lens
C) Cornea
D) Iris ✅
Explanation: The iris adjusts the pupil size, regulating light entering the eye.
171. Which organ produces bile?
A) Liver ✅
B) Pancreas
C) Stomach
D) Gallbladder
Explanation: The liver produces bile, which helps in fat digestion. The gallbladder stores it.
172. The pituitary gland is often called the:
A) Master gland ✅
B) Growth gland
C) Secondary gland
D) Endocrine gland
Explanation: The pituitary regulates many other endocrine glands, earning it the title “master gland.”
173. The average lifespan of a red blood cell is:
A) 60 days
B) 90 days
C) 120 days ✅
D) 150 days
Explanation: Red blood cells circulate in the body for about 120 days before being destroyed in the spleen and liver.
174. Which bone is the largest in the human body?
A) Tibia
B) Femur ✅
C) Humerus
D) Pelvis
Explanation: The femur is the longest and strongest bone, extending from the hip to the knee.
175. Which part of the ear contains the organ of Corti?
A) Outer ear
B) Middle ear
C) Inner ear ✅
D) Ear canal
Explanation: The organ of Corti, located in the cochlea of the inner ear, is responsible for sound perception.
176. Which vitamin is essential for calcium absorption?
A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin B12
C) Vitamin C
D) Vitamin D ✅
Explanation: Vitamin D facilitates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestine.
177. Which structure connects muscles to muscles?
A) Ligaments
B) Tendons
C) Fascia ✅
D) Cartilage
Explanation: Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds and connects muscles to other muscles.
178. The main function of white blood cells is to:
A) Carry oxygen
B) Fight infection ✅
C) Aid clotting
D) Transport nutrients
Explanation: White blood cells (leukocytes) defend the body against infections and foreign invaders.
179. Which lobe of the brain controls vision?
A) Frontal lobe
B) Temporal lobe
C) Occipital lobe ✅
D) Parietal lobe
Explanation: The occipital lobe processes visual information received from the eyes.
180. Which valve prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium?
A) Aortic valve
B) Mitral valve ✅
C) Pulmonary valve
D) Tricuspid valve
Explanation: The mitral (bicuspid) valve prevents blood from flowing back into the left atrium.
181. Which organ is primarily responsible for detoxification?
A) Kidney
B) Liver ✅
C) Pancreas
D) Lungs
Explanation: The liver detoxifies chemicals, metabolizes drugs, and filters blood.
182. The sac surrounding the heart is called:
A) Pleura
B) Pericardium ✅
C) Endocardium
D) Myocardium
Explanation: The pericardium is a double-layered sac that encloses the heart and provides protection.
183. Which part of the neuron carries impulses away from the cell body?
A) Dendrites
B) Axon ✅
C) Synapse
D) Soma
Explanation: Axons transmit electrical impulses away from the neuron’s cell body to target cells.
184. Which gland is located on top of the kidneys?
A) Pancreas
B) Adrenal gland ✅
C) Thyroid
D) Pituitary
Explanation: The adrenal glands sit on top of each kidney and secrete hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.
185. The smallest bones in the human body are found in the:
A) Ear ✅
B) Nose
C) Wrist
D) Spine
Explanation: The ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes) in the middle ear are the smallest bones.
186. Which muscle is the primary muscle of inspiration?
A) Intercostal muscles
B) Abdominal muscles
C) Diaphragm ✅
D) Sternocleidomastoid
Explanation: The diaphragm contracts to allow inhalation by enlarging the thoracic cavity.
187. The structural and functional unit of the nervous system is the:
A) Synapse
B) Neuron ✅
C) Axon
D) Dendrite
Explanation: Neurons are the basic units of the nervous system responsible for transmitting signals.
188. Which part of the skin produces melanin?
A) Dermis
B) Hypodermis
C) Melanocytes in the epidermis ✅
D) Sweat glands
Explanation: Melanocytes, found in the basal layer of the epidermis, produce melanin pigment.
189. The primary site of nutrient absorption in the digestive system is the:
A) Stomach
B) Small intestine ✅
C) Large intestine
D) Esophagus
Explanation: The small intestine absorbs most nutrients from digested food.
190. Which chamber of the heart pumps blood into the pulmonary circulation?
A) Right atrium
B) Right ventricle ✅
C) Left atrium
D) Left ventricle
Explanation: The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary artery toward the lungs.
191. The hardest substance in the human body is:
A) Bone
B) Enamel ✅
C) Cartilage
D) Dentin
Explanation: Tooth enamel is the hardest and most mineralized substance in the body.
192. Which cranial nerve controls facial expressions?
A) Trigeminal (V)
B) Facial (VII) ✅
C) Glossopharyngeal (IX)
D) Vagus (X)
Explanation: The facial nerve controls muscles of facial expression.
193. Which organ stores and concentrates bile?
A) Liver
B) Gallbladder ✅
C) Pancreas
D) Stomach
Explanation: The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver and releases it into the small intestine.
194. Which part of the brain controls involuntary actions like heartbeat and breathing?
A) Cerebellum
B) Medulla oblongata ✅
C) Hypothalamus
D) Pons
Explanation: The medulla oblongata regulates vital involuntary functions such as respiration and heart rate.
195. Which vitamin is necessary for blood clotting?
A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin C
C) Vitamin K ✅
D) Vitamin E
Explanation: Vitamin K is essential for synthesizing clotting factors in the liver.
196. The socket of the hip joint is called the:
A) Glenoid cavity
B) Acetabulum ✅
C) Ilium
D) Pubis
Explanation: The acetabulum of the pelvis forms the hip joint with the femoral head.
197. The covering of the brain and spinal cord is called:
A) Myelin
B) Meninges ✅
C) Dura mater only
D) Skull
Explanation: The meninges are three protective layers: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.
198. Which organ is called the “voice box”?
A) Trachea
B) Larynx ✅
C) Pharynx
D) Bronchi
Explanation: The larynx houses the vocal cords and is known as the voice box.
199. The primary structural protein in connective tissue is:
A) Elastin
B) Collagen ✅
C) Keratin
D) Myosin
Explanation: Collagen provides strength and support to connective tissues like skin, tendons, and ligaments.
200. Which artery supplies blood to the heart muscle itself?
A) Carotid artery
B) Coronary artery ✅
C) Aorta
D) Pulmonary artery
Explanation: Coronary arteries branch from the aorta and supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
You have now completed NCLEX Anatomy MCQs 151–200. If you’ve practiced all four parts, you’ve already covered 200 exam-style questions with answers and explanations. This puts you in a strong position for NCLEX success.
👉 Don’t stop here! Continue with our other NCLEX preparation resources including Pharmacology MCQs, Physiology MCQs, and Microbiology MCQs. We keep updating these sections regularly, so make sure to visit often.
Stay focused, practice daily, and keep moving closer to your goal of becoming a licensed nurse.