By what other name is collar bone known?

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The clavicle is the anatomical term for the collar bone.
It is a long, slender bone that is part of the pectoral (shoulder) girdle.
Its primary functions are to connect the upper limb to the trunk of the body, act as a supportive strut for the scapula, and transmit force from the arm to the axial skeleton.
As seen in the provided image, the clavicle is situated horizontally at the top of the chest, just above the first rib.

Option B: The scapula is the anatomical name for the shoulder blade, a large, triangular flat bone located in the posterior aspect of the thorax.
Option C: The humerus is the long bone of the upper arm, extending from the shoulder to the elbow.
Option D: The radius is one of the two long bones in the forearm, located on the lateral (thumb) side, extending from the elbow to the wrist.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomical terminology for bones of the shoulder girdle and upper limb as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Clavicle fractures are extremely common, especially in children and young adults, often resulting from falls or sports injuries. Nurses must be proficient in assessing and managing these injuries.
A key nursing responsibility is performing neurovascular checks on the affected limb to monitor for complications like nerve damage or compromised circulation due to swelling.
What if? If a patient with a mid-shaft clavicle fracture develops sudden shortness of breath and chest pain, the nurse should suspect a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) from a sharp bone fragment piercing the pleura. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate physician notification and intervention.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of basic human anatomy.
First, identify the key term in the question: 'collar bone'.
Next, access your knowledge of the skeletal system to find the scientific name for this bone.
Evaluate the given options: Clavicle, Scapula, Humerus, and Radius.
Recall or deduce that 'Clavicle' is the correct anatomical term for the collar bone.
The other options are also bones in the shoulder and arm region, so be sure to differentiate them: Scapula (shoulder blade), Humerus (upper arm), and Radius (forearm).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Anatomical terminology for bones of the shoulder girdle and upper limb.
Stem keywords: collar bone, other name
Lead-in keywords: known as

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E6 Anatomy BDChaurasia V1 10e p. 22-24

E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 2 Part 3 p. 14-16

E6 Anatomy Grays 43e Vol 2 Part 2 p. 79-81

Practise the full MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.