Multiple Choice Questions – Joints of Upper Limb

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1. The only true bony joint connecting the upper limb to the trunk is –

A. Acromioclavicular joint  B. Sternoclavicular joint  C. Scapulothoracic articulation  D. Glenohumeral joint
✅ Answer: B – Sternoclavicular joint
— Saddle-type synovial; functionally ball-and-socket.

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2. The main stabilizing ligament of the acromioclavicular joint is –

A. Coracoacromial B. Coracoclavicular C. Interclavicular D. Acromioclavicular
✅ Answer: B – Coracoclavicular (conoid + trapezoid parts)

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3. The shoulder joint is a –

A. Hinge B. Pivot C. Ball-and-socket D. Ellipsoid
✅ Answer: C – Ball-and-socket synovial joint

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4. The chief stabilizers of the shoulder joint are –

A. Ligaments B. Rotator cuff muscles C. Bony congruence D. Capsule only
✅ Answer: B – Rotator cuff (SITS muscles)

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5. The tendon of which muscle is intracapsular but extrasynovial in the shoulder joint?

A. Biceps (long head) B. Coracobrachialis C. Subscapularis D. Deltoid
✅ Answer: A – Long head of biceps brachii

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6. Which movement of the shoulder is initiated by supraspinatus?

A. Flexion B. Extension C. Abduction D. Rotation
✅ Answer: C – Abduction (first 15°)

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7. The nerve most commonly injured in shoulder dislocation is –

A. Radial B. Ulnar C. Axillary D. Musculocutaneous
✅ Answer: C – Axillary nerve

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8. The elbow joint is a –

A. Hinge B. Pivot C. Ellipsoid D. Saddle
✅ Answer: A – Complex hinge-type synovial joint

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9. Which ligament encircles the head of the radius?

A. Radial collateral B. Annular C. Ulnar collateral D. Quadrate
✅ Answer: B – Annular ligament

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10. The carrying angle of the elbow is –

A. 0° B. 5°–10° C. 10°–15° D. 30°–40°
✅ Answer: C – 10°–15° (males); 15°–20° (females)

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11. Supination and pronation occur at –

A. Elbow joint B. Radiocarpal joint C. Superior & inferior radioulnar joints D. Midcarpal joint
✅ Answer: C – Radioulnar joints (pivot type)

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12. The interosseous membrane fibres run –

A. Upward & laterally B. Downward & medially C. Horizontal D. Downward & laterally
✅ Answer: B – Downward and medially (from radius to ulna)

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13. Which joint of the upper limb is ellipsoid (condyloid)?

A. Elbow B. Wrist C. Shoulder D. 1st CMC
✅ Answer: B – Radiocarpal (wrist) joint

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14. Which carpal bones articulate with the radius?

A. Scaphoid and lunate B. Lunate and triquetral C. Scaphoid and triquetral D. All three
✅ Answer: A – Scaphoid and lunate (+ triquetral via disc in ulnar deviation)

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15. Most common carpal bone fracture –

A. Lunate B. Scaphoid C. Trapezium D. Hamate
✅ Answer: B – Scaphoid (snuffbox tenderness)

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16. The 1st carpometacarpal joint is –

A. Plane B. Saddle C. Ellipsoid D. Hinge
✅ Answer: B – Saddle-type synovial joint

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17. Opposition of thumb involves –

A. Flexion only B. Abduction only C. Abduction + Flexion + Medial rotation D. Adduction only
✅ Answer: C – Composite movement for opposition

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18. The MCP joints are –

A. Hinge B. Pivot C. Condyloid D. Saddle
✅ Answer: C – Condyloid (ellipsoid) synovial joints

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19. The IP joints are –

A. Condyloid B. Hinge C. Pivot D. Plane
✅ Answer: B – Hinge type synovial joints

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20. The middle finger acts as –

A. Axis for adduction only B. Axis for abduction/adduction of fingers C. Fixed finger D. Reference for rotation
✅ Answer: B – Axis of hand for abduction/adduction

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21. Which ligament prevents hyperextension at MCP & IP joints?

A. Collateral B. Palmar (Volar) plate C. Intermetacarpal D. Annular
✅ Answer: B – Palmar (Volar) plate

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22. In mallet finger, which tendon is injured?

A. Flexor digitorum profundus B. Extensor digitorum C. Flexor digitorum superficialis D. Lumbrical
✅ Answer: B – Extensor digitorum tendon at DIP joint

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23. The common site for “tennis elbow” is –

A. Common flexor origin B. Common extensor origin C. Biceps insertion D. Triceps insertion
✅ Answer: B – Common extensor origin (ECRB)

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24. The axis for supination–pronation passes through –

A. Radial styloid → Ulnar styloid B. Head of radius → Head of ulna C. Olecranon → Capitulum D. None
✅ Answer: B – Head of radius to head of ulna

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25. Which ligament prevents upward dislocation of humeral head?

A. Glenohumeral B. Coracohumeral C. Coracoacromial D. Transverse humeral
✅ Answer: C – Coracoacromial ligament (arches over joint)

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26. Which joint allows maximum mobility in the body?

A. Elbow B. Knee C. Shoulder D. Wrist
✅ Answer: C – Shoulder joint

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27. Which joint has the least stability in the upper limb?

A. Elbow B. Shoulder C. Wrist D. 1st CMC
✅ Answer: B – Shoulder (shallow socket + loose capsule)

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28. The joint most often dislocated in the body is –

A. Elbow B. Shoulder C. Hip D. Knee
✅ Answer: B – Shoulder joint

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29. The nerve compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome is –

A. Median B. Ulnar C. Radial D. Posterior interosseous
✅ Answer: A – Median nerve

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30. “Pulled elbow” results from dislocation of –

A. Ulna B. Radius head C. Humerus D. Pisiform
✅ Answer: B – Head of radius (from annular ligament)

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31. Which joint allows opposition movement?

A. 1st CMC B. MCP C. Radiocarpal D. Elbow
✅ Answer: A – First carpometacarpal joint

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32. The most stable joint of upper limb is –

A. Shoulder B. Wrist C. Elbow D. Thumb CMC
✅ Answer: C – Elbow joint

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✅ Exam Essentials Summary

• Sternoclavicular: Saddle → trunk link.

• Acromioclavicular: Plane → gliding.

• Shoulder: Ball-and-socket → mobile, least stable.

• Elbow: Hinge → strong, stable.

• Radioulnar: Pivot → rotation.

• Wrist: Ellipsoid → biaxial.

• Thumb CMC: Saddle → opposition.

• MCP/IP: Condyloid & hinge → grip control.A