SGU MSK EXAM NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM| SGU
MSK EXAM REVIEW WITH COMPLETE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/
ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
Where are the larger groups of lymph nodes/lymphatic vessels? -
ANSWER - near mammary glands, axilla and groin
Where do somatic plexuses form from? List them. - ANSWER - -form
from ventral rami of spinal nerves
-cervical (C1-5), brachial (C5-T1), lumbar (L1-4), sacral (L5-S4)
Visceral plexuses - ANSWER - combination of sympathetic,
parasympathetic and visceral afferent fibers (ex.: hypogastric, celiac)
General concepts of afferent/sensory fibers: - ANSWER - -3 neuron
chain arrangement
-1st arises at organ & has 2 processes
-2nd arises from grey horn of CNS (synapses in thalamus)
-3rd arises from thalamus & extends into cortex
-cell body is a ganglion outside of the CNS (no synapse here)
-central process enters CNS (synapses on next neuron)
General concepts of efferent/motor fibers: - ANSWER - -2 neuron chain
arrangement
pg. 1
,-1st arises in cortex (synapses in ventral horn of CNS on nucleus of
corresponding cranial nerve)
-2nd arises from brainstem nucleus (ends in muscle it supplies)
General actions of sympathetic efferent fibers: - ANSWER - -
synapse/exit through grey rami communicants
-travel up/down chain to synapse at diff. location
-exit w/ out synapsing (splanchnic nerves)
Dermatomes - ANSWER - areas of skin supplies by 1 spinal nerve
Purpose of understanding dermatomes: - ANSWER - allows us to
pinpoint a lesion and understand the concept of referred pain
Examples of clinically important dermatomes: - ANSWER - -C5 =
lateral upper arm
-C6 = thumb
-C7 = middle finger
-C8 = little finger
-T2 = medial arm
-T4 = nipple
-T7 = xiphoid
-T10 = umbilicus
-L5 = big toe
-S1 = heal
-S2 = back of thigh
pg. 2
,How is the vertebral column broken up? - ANSWER - -cervical
vertebrae (7)
-thoracic vertebrae (12)
-lumbar vertebrae (5)
-sacrum (5)
-coccyx (3-5)
Features of cervical vertebrae: - ANSWER - -transverse foramina
-bifid spinous process (except C1 & 7)
-uncinate process
-small vertebral body
-large vertebral foramen
Features of thoracic vertebrae: - ANSWER - -superior/inferior costal
facets (along posterior-lateral vertebral body)
-transverse costal facets
-long spinous process (oriented inferiorly)
-heart shaped vertebral body
Features of lumbar vertebrae: - ANSWER - -largest/thickest vertebral
body
-short horizontal transverse process
-short spinous process
-triangular vertebral foramen
-mamillary processes (originate from posterolateral margin of superior
articular process)
pg. 3
, -accessory processes tubercle (on dorsal aspect of base of lumbar
transverse process)
Features of sacrum & coccyx: - ANSWER - -fused bones
-L-shaped facet on lateral ala (articulates w/ hip bone to create sacroiliac
joint)
-spinal nerves exit from sacral foramina
-radiological landmark: sacral promontory
Features of intervertebral disc: - ANSWER - -stabilize vertebral column
-weight-bearing
-adds flexibility to spine
-facilitates curvature of spine
-has outer annulus fibrous surrounding an inner nucleus pulpous
(remnant of notochord)
What ligament(s) prevent hyperextension? - ANSWER - anterior
longitudinal ligament
Which ligament(s) prevent hyperflexion? - ANSWER - -posterior
longitudinal ligament
-interspinous ligament
-supraspinous ligament
Which ligament(s) assist w/ repositioning vertebral column from the
flexed position? - ANSWER - ligamentum flavum
pg. 4
MSK EXAM REVIEW WITH COMPLETE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/
ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
Where are the larger groups of lymph nodes/lymphatic vessels? -
ANSWER - near mammary glands, axilla and groin
Where do somatic plexuses form from? List them. - ANSWER - -form
from ventral rami of spinal nerves
-cervical (C1-5), brachial (C5-T1), lumbar (L1-4), sacral (L5-S4)
Visceral plexuses - ANSWER - combination of sympathetic,
parasympathetic and visceral afferent fibers (ex.: hypogastric, celiac)
General concepts of afferent/sensory fibers: - ANSWER - -3 neuron
chain arrangement
-1st arises at organ & has 2 processes
-2nd arises from grey horn of CNS (synapses in thalamus)
-3rd arises from thalamus & extends into cortex
-cell body is a ganglion outside of the CNS (no synapse here)
-central process enters CNS (synapses on next neuron)
General concepts of efferent/motor fibers: - ANSWER - -2 neuron chain
arrangement
pg. 1
,-1st arises in cortex (synapses in ventral horn of CNS on nucleus of
corresponding cranial nerve)
-2nd arises from brainstem nucleus (ends in muscle it supplies)
General actions of sympathetic efferent fibers: - ANSWER - -
synapse/exit through grey rami communicants
-travel up/down chain to synapse at diff. location
-exit w/ out synapsing (splanchnic nerves)
Dermatomes - ANSWER - areas of skin supplies by 1 spinal nerve
Purpose of understanding dermatomes: - ANSWER - allows us to
pinpoint a lesion and understand the concept of referred pain
Examples of clinically important dermatomes: - ANSWER - -C5 =
lateral upper arm
-C6 = thumb
-C7 = middle finger
-C8 = little finger
-T2 = medial arm
-T4 = nipple
-T7 = xiphoid
-T10 = umbilicus
-L5 = big toe
-S1 = heal
-S2 = back of thigh
pg. 2
,How is the vertebral column broken up? - ANSWER - -cervical
vertebrae (7)
-thoracic vertebrae (12)
-lumbar vertebrae (5)
-sacrum (5)
-coccyx (3-5)
Features of cervical vertebrae: - ANSWER - -transverse foramina
-bifid spinous process (except C1 & 7)
-uncinate process
-small vertebral body
-large vertebral foramen
Features of thoracic vertebrae: - ANSWER - -superior/inferior costal
facets (along posterior-lateral vertebral body)
-transverse costal facets
-long spinous process (oriented inferiorly)
-heart shaped vertebral body
Features of lumbar vertebrae: - ANSWER - -largest/thickest vertebral
body
-short horizontal transverse process
-short spinous process
-triangular vertebral foramen
-mamillary processes (originate from posterolateral margin of superior
articular process)
pg. 3
, -accessory processes tubercle (on dorsal aspect of base of lumbar
transverse process)
Features of sacrum & coccyx: - ANSWER - -fused bones
-L-shaped facet on lateral ala (articulates w/ hip bone to create sacroiliac
joint)
-spinal nerves exit from sacral foramina
-radiological landmark: sacral promontory
Features of intervertebral disc: - ANSWER - -stabilize vertebral column
-weight-bearing
-adds flexibility to spine
-facilitates curvature of spine
-has outer annulus fibrous surrounding an inner nucleus pulpous
(remnant of notochord)
What ligament(s) prevent hyperextension? - ANSWER - anterior
longitudinal ligament
Which ligament(s) prevent hyperflexion? - ANSWER - -posterior
longitudinal ligament
-interspinous ligament
-supraspinous ligament
Which ligament(s) assist w/ repositioning vertebral column from the
flexed position? - ANSWER - ligamentum flavum
pg. 4
