Florida Basic Recruit Training Program High Liability (First Aid) Practice Exam

Which of the following bones is involved in protecting the brain?

1. Spinal column

2. Skull

3. Humerus

4. Patella

The correct answer is: Skull

The skull is the primary bone structure responsible for protecting the brain. It encases the brain within a bony framework that provides a hard barrier against physical trauma, thereby safeguarding the delicate and critical functions of the brain. The skull consists of the cranial bones which are fused together to form a rigid protective cavity. In contrast, while the spinal column plays a protective role for the spinal cord, it does not provide direct protection for the brain itself. The humerus, which is a bone in the upper arm, and the patella, the kneecap, are not involved in brain protection at all. Therefore, the skull is the correct choice, as it specifically and directly correlates with the function of safeguarding the brain from injury.