Anatomy and Physiology
What this domain tests
Anatomy and physiology items test the bones, muscles, nerves, and circulation most relevant to the face, head, and neck, plus the skin’s structure.
Core concepts
- Skeletal: the skull includes frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital bones; the face includes mandible, maxilla, zygomatic, and nasal bones. The cervical spine supports the head.
- Muscular: frontalis raises the brow; temporalis and masseter are chewing muscles; orbicularis oculi closes the eye; platysma tenses the neck; sternocleidomastoid turns the head.
- Nervous: the trigeminal nerve carries sensation from the face; the facial nerve (VII) controls muscles of facial expression. Motor and sensory roles are tested separately.
- Circulatory: the common carotid supplies the head; the temporal artery is felt at the temple. Lymph nodes filter fluid and can swell with infection.
- Integumentary: epidermis is the outer layer; dermis holds nerves, vessels, and glands; subcutaneous tissue cushions.
Worked example
A question asks which nerve controls the muscles that close the eye. Sensation from the forehead is trigeminal, but movement of orbicularis oculi is facial nerve. Match the function-motor or sensory-before choosing the nerve.
Traps that cost marks
Do not confuse origin and insertion. Do not assign sensory function to the facial nerve. Do not label the epidermis as the layer containing blood vessels; the dermis does. Read whether the question asks for a bone, a muscle, or a nerve.