The Jigsaw Puzzle of the Human Body Quiz

Answer: Bone

The zygomatic bone, also known as the cheekbone, or "cheek bone," is a paired bone found in the human skull. It forms most of the zygomatic arches, which give the contour to the cheeks and contribute to the structure of the face. It is located between the upper jaw (maxilla) and the temporal bone, connecting these two segments.

In addition to sensory function, the zygomatic bone plays an important role in supporting the structure of the eyes and muscles involved in chewing.

The word comes from the Greek "zygos", meaning "yoke" in English, which is the wooden beam traditionally used to harness animals such as oxen. It is used to reflect the idea of joining or connecting parts of the skull.

Answer: Bone

The sacrum, also known as the sacral bone, is a large triangular bone located at the base of the spine. It consists of five vertebrae that fuse together in adulthood to form a single bone. The sacrum connects the spine to the pelvic bones and is crucial for supporting the body while standing and moving. It plays a significant role in transferring weight from the upper torso to the lower limbs and contributes to the stability of the pelvis.

The name "sacrum" is derived from Latin, meaning "sacred."

Answer: Bone

The pubic bone, also known as the os pubis, is one of the three bones that comprise the pelvis. It is situated in the front part of the pelvic area, just below the abdomen, and connects to the other pubic bone via the pubic symphysis. This cartilaginous joint provides both elasticity and stability. The pubic bone plays a crucial role in supporting body weight while standing or moving.

The term "os pubis" is Latin for "bone of the pubes," referring to the groin and genital area.

Answer: Bone

The calcaneus, also known as the heel bone, is the largest bone at the back of the foot and forms the heel. It is situated below the ankle and plays a vital role in supporting body weight while walking, running, and standing. This bone connects to various tendons, including the Achilles tendon, and serves as a lever that facilitates movement during walking. Due to its position, the calcaneus absorbs much of the vibration and pressure that the foot experiences.

The name "calcaneus" is derived from the Latin word for "heel."

Answer: Muscle

The major pectoral muscle, or pectoralis major, is a large muscle shaped like a fan. It stretches from the breastbone (sternum) and collarbone (clavicle) to the upper arm bone (humerus). The main job of the major pectoral muscle is to help move the shoulders, arms, and torso. It flexes, contracts, rotates, and stabilizes when needed.

Overusing this muscle can lead to injuries or pain in the shoulder and chest. This problem commonly affects athletes, such as weightlifters or swimmers, who often push this muscle too hard.

The word "pectoral" comes from the Latin word "pectus," which means "breast."

Answer: Muscle

The soleus muscle is a large, flat muscle in the lower leg, located behind the calf muscle. It runs along the back of the shinbone and fibula and connects to the calf muscle at the Achilles tendon, which attaches to the heel bone.

The soleus muscle helps with important movements like walking, running, and jumping by allowing the foot to flex and rotate. It also helps keep us upright and stable while standing. Additionally, the soleus pumps blood back to the heart by squeezing the veins in the lower leg.

If the soleus muscle is weak or injured, it might be hard to stand upright, maintain our balance, and we feel pain in the lower leg. Misusing this muscle can lead to problems like shin splints and Achilles tendinitis.

The name "soleus" comes from the Latin word "solea," which means "sandal."

Answer: Muscle

The masseter muscle is found on the sides of the lower jaw in the face. It is one of the main muscles used for chewing and is located on both sides, stretching from the bone under the eyes (the zygomatic bone) to the lower jaw. Its main jobs are to help chew food, open and close the lower jaw, and keep the lower jaw stable while speaking.

If we chew for a long time or grind our teeth (bruxism), we can overwork the masseter muscle. This may lead to pain, spasms in the muscle, headaches, and jaw pain. These issues can be reduced with relaxation exercises and using special mouthguards.

The term "masseter" comes from the Greek verb "massaomai," which means "to chew."

Answer: Muscle

The subclavius muscle is a small muscle, shaped like a triangle, just below the clavicle, the bone connecting the sternum to the shoulder. Its function is to stabilize the clavicle and the shoulder.

If the subclavius muscle doesn't work properly, it can cause pain in the shoulder, neck, or clavicle area and aggravate conditions like thoracic outlet syndrome, where blood vessels or nerves get compressed in the shoulder region.

The name "subclavius" means "under the clavicle."

Answer: Organ

The rectum is the last straight section of the large intestine, which ends in the anus. The rectum is part of the digestive system and has a basic function of temporarily storing stool before it is excreted from the body. It is located in the pelvic area and has a length of about 12-15 centimeters.

The rectum contains sensors that alert the brain when it is full, causing the need for defecation. Subsequently, with the support of the anal muscles, the rectum allows the body to regulate defecation. The rectum's proper function is imperative to the health of the digestive system as a whole.

Its name comes from the Latin "rectum intestinum" meaning "straight intestine."

Answer: Organ

The bronchi (bronchus, sing.) are airways that are part of the respiratory system and connect the trachea to the lungs. The trachea branches into two main bronchi (left and right), which enter the respective lungs and continue to branch into smaller bronchi and bronchioles.

The bronchi carry inhaled air from the trachea to the deeper areas of the lungs and vice versa, they drive exhaled air out of the body. The mucous glands and mucous cells inside the bronchi produce mucus, which filters and retains dust, germs, and other substances, and results in clean and humid air reaching the bronchi.

The most common bronchial diseases are bronchitis, an acute or chronic inflammation of the bronchi, and bronchiectasis, a condition that affects the architecture of the bronchial tubes and causes respiratory problems.

Bronchi comes from the Latin "bronchus" which comes from the Ancient Greek "vronkhos" for "throat, trachea."

Answer: Organ

The epididymis is an organ of the male reproductive system. It is a tube consisting of thin, tightly wound tubules, situated behind each testicle.

The epididymis is the incubator in which sperm produced in the testicles matures until they are ready to move and fertilize the egg. During ejaculation, the epididymis pushes the spermatozoa toward the urethra, from where they are released.

Epididymis comes from the Greek, epi+didymos, meaning "upon, over" + "twin, testicle."

Answer: Organ

The thymus is an organ of the immune system located in the upper part of the chest, behind the sternum. It is especially active and important during childhood and adolescence, after which it gradually atrophies.

The thymus is the "training center" of T-lymphocytes (or T-cells), which are fundamental in the body's defenses. These cells recognize and attack viruses and bacteria, but also cancer cells. Additionally, in the thymus, T-lymphocytes "learn" not to attack the body's own healthy cells. This process protects the body from autoimmune reactions.

Its name comes from the Greek word "thymos," from the Greek word for thyme, "thymari," because of its warty appearance which resembles a bunch of thyme. The name was first used by the ancient physician Galen.