Which anatomical structure houses the malleus, incus, and stapes?

 

The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint, which is a type of synovial joint that allows movement in almost every direction.

A ball and socket joint is made up of a round end of one bone that fits into a small cup-like area of another bone.

Choice A. Elbow is wrong because the elbow joint is a hinge joint, which is a type of synovial joint that works like the hinge on a door, allowing bending and straightening only.

Choice B. Knee is wrong because the knee joint is also a hinge joint, which allows bending and straightening only.

Choice D. Ankle is wrong because the ankle joint is a gliding joint, which is a type of synovial joint that allows sliding movements between flat surfaces of bones.

When the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated, it prepares the body for a fight-or-flight response by increasing the heart rate and blood pressure, which results in increased cardiac output.

Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute.

Choice B is wrong because increased pancreatic activity is not a result of sympathetic stimulation. The sympathetic nervous system inhibits digestion and reduces blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract.

Choice C is wrong because increased uterine activity is not a result of sympathetic stimulation. The sympathetic nervous system relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus and other reproductive organs.

Choice D is wrong because increased gastrointestinal activity is not a result of sympathetic stimulation. The sympathetic nervous system inhibits digestion and reduces blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract.

This is because the anatomical position is a standard position that serves as a reference for the body. A person is said to be in anatomical position when they are standing erect with their feet together, their hands at their side, with the palms facing forward. Unless otherwise stated, most anatomical descriptions will refer to a person when in anatomical position.

Choice A is wrong because palms of the hand facing medially means that the palms are facing toward the midline of the body, which is not the case in anatomical position.

Choice B is wrong because palms of the hand facing laterally means that the palms are facing away from the midline of the body, which is also not the case in anatomical position.

Choice D is wrong because palms of the hands facing posteriorly means that the palms are facing toward the back of the body, which is opposite to the anatomical position.

The correct answer is choice B. Ear wax.

Ceruminous glands are specialized sweat glands that are located in the external auditory canal.

They secrete a waxy substance called cerumen or ear wax by mixing their secretion with sebum and dead epidermal cells. Cerumen helps to protect the ear from physical damage and infection.

Choice A is wrong because sebum is secreted by sebaceous glands, not ceruminous glands. Sebum is an oily substance that lubricates and protects the hair and skin.

Choice C is wrong because mucus is secreted by mucous glands, not ceruminous glands. Mucus is a slippery substance that moistens and protects the inner lining of various organs.

Choice D is wrong because keratin is not a secretion, but a protein that forms the structure of hair, nails and skin.