Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google

Axial Muscles Quiz: Check Your Anatomy Knowledge

Quick axial muscles practice test with instant feedback and explanations.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Sier AziziUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style axial muscle layers in white and blue on dark blue background for muscle quiz

This axial muscles quiz helps you review names, locations, and actions across the head, neck, and trunk. Get instant feedback with short explanations to strengthen weak spots before class, lab, or exams. For extra practice, try the muscle action quiz and the muscle origin and insertion quiz, or build recall with a muscle identification quiz.

Which muscle is the primary driver of quiet inspiration by increasing thoracic volume vertically?
Diaphragm
Serratus anterior
External intercostals
Internal intercostals
undefined
Which axial muscle creates the prominent "six-pack" appearance of the anterior abdominal wall?
External oblique
Rectus abdominis
Quadratus lumborum
Transversus abdominis
undefined
Unilateral contraction of which neck muscle rotates the head to the opposite side and flexes the neck laterally?
Sternocleidomastoid
Longus capitis
Scalenus anterior
Splenius capitis
undefined
Which intercostal muscle group primarily elevates the ribs during inspiration?
Internal intercostals
Innermost intercostals
External intercostals
Subcostalis
undefined
Which facial muscle elevates the corner of the mouth to produce a smile?
Risorius
Mentalis
Zygomaticus major
Depressor anguli oris
undefined
Which set properly belongs to the erector spinae muscle group?
Iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis
Semispinalis, multifidus, rotatores
Quadratus lumborum, psoas major, iliacus
Splenius capitis, splenius cervicis, semispinalis
undefined
Which tongue muscle is chiefly responsible for protruding the tongue anteriorly?
Palatoglossus
Hyoglossus
Genioglossus
Styloglossus
undefined
Which infrahyoid muscle depresses the hyoid bone after elevation during swallowing?
Digastric
Mylohyoid
Sternohyoid
Stylohyoid
undefined
Which abdominal wall muscle primarily compresses the abdominal contents and increases intra-abdominal pressure?
Transversus abdominis
Pyramidalis
External oblique
Internal oblique
undefined
Unilateral contraction of which muscle rotates the trunk to the opposite side?
Rectus abdominis
Transversus abdominis
Internal oblique
External oblique
undefined
The tendon of which muscle inserts onto the coronoid process and anterior border of the mandibular ramus?
Masseter
Buccinator
Temporalis
Medial pterygoid
undefined
Which muscle elevates the soft palate to close the nasopharynx during swallowing?
Salpingopharyngeus
Tensor veli palatini
Levator veli palatini
Palatopharyngeus
undefined
Which tongue muscle retracts and elevates the tongue during swallowing?
Genioglossus
Styloglossus
Palatoglossus
Hyoglossus
undefined
Which muscle tenses the soft palate and helps open the pharyngotympanic (auditory) tube?
Levator veli palatini
Tensor veli palatini
Salpingopharyngeus
Palatopharyngeus
undefined
Subcostalis muscles assist in depressing the ribs during expiration.
True
False
undefined
Which deep neck muscle is a key cervical flexor and stabilizer often targeted in whiplash rehabilitation?
Scalenus medius
Longus colli
Splenius cervicis
Sternocleidomastoid
undefined
Which deep back muscle group primarily produces contralateral rotation of the vertebral column?
Erector spinae
Interspinales
Transversospinales (semispinalis, multifidus, rotatores)
Intertransversarii
undefined
Which two muscles form the pelvic diaphragm?
Levator ani and coccygeus
Gluteus maximus and medius
Piriformis and obturator internus
Iliacus and psoas major
undefined
Levator ani is innervated by the facial nerve.
False
True
undefined
The rectus capitis posterior minor attaches to the lateral part of the inferior nuchal line.
False
True
undefined
0

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify major axial muscles -

    Learn to recognize and name key axial muscles such as the trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and rectus abdominis by their anatomical location.

  2. Describe functional roles of axial muscles -

    Understand how each muscle contributes to posture, breathing, and movement as tested in our axial muscles function quiz scenarios.

  3. Analyze muscle attachments -

    Examine origins and insertions to grasp how muscle attachments influence biomechanical actions and force generation.

  4. Apply axial muscles quizlet-style hints -

    Use targeted hints to strengthen recall and retention during practice rounds of our axial muscles quizlet module.

  5. Evaluate mastery with interactive questions -

    Test your comprehension through the axial muscle anatomy quiz and gauge your progress with instant feedback and scoring.

  6. Synthesize muscle knowledge -

    Integrate your understanding to predict muscle actions during real-world movements and anatomical trivia challenges.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Axial Muscle Subdivisions -

    Axial musculature is classified into head and neck, vertebral column, thoracic, and abdominal groups. A handy mnemonic - "Happy Zebras Travel Abroad" - can help you remember Head, Zygomatic (facial), Trunk (vertebral), Abdomen. Reviewing these four regions is essential before tackling any axial muscles quiz or axial muscle anatomy quiz.

  2. Facial Expression Muscles & Nerve Innervation -

    The primary muscles of facial expression - such as orbicularis oculi, orbicularis oris, and buccinator - are innervated by the facial nerve (CN VII). Use the "To Zanzibar By Motor Car" mnemonic to remember the five branches (Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Mandibular, Cervical). This tip stands out in axial muscles quizlet hints for quick recall.

  3. Erector Spinae Muscle Group -

    The erector spinae complex comprises iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis muscles running alongside the vertebral column. According to Gray's Anatomy, these muscles extend and laterally flex the spine, playing a key role in posture maintenance. Mastering their names and functions will boost your score on the axial muscles function quiz.

  4. Intercostal Muscles & Diaphragm -

    External intercostals (hands-in-pockets direction) elevate ribs during inspiration, while internal intercostals depress ribs for forced expiration. The diaphragm acts as the primary muscle of inspiration by flattening to increase thoracic volume. This synergy is frequently tested in thoracic sections of axial muscles trivia.

  5. Abdominal Wall Layers & Functions -

    The abdominal wall comprises external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis (superficial to deep) and the vertically oriented rectus abdominis, with the arcuate line marking a change in the posterior sheath. These muscles enable trunk flexion, lateral rotation, and intra-abdominal pressure regulation during actions like coughing or lifting. Keeping their layered arrangement in mind will pay off on your axial muscle anatomy quiz.

Powered by: Quiz Maker