Chiropractic Board Review Comprehensive
Question and Answer Bank – 100 Verified
Questions with Complete Rationale.
PURPOSE:
This comprehensive board review Q&A bank is designed to prepare chiropractic
candidates for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) Parts I, II,
III, IV and various state licensing examinations. Content aligns with NBCE
blueprints and standard chiropractic curriculum.
RECOMMENDED USE:
Complete all 100 questions in one sitting (100-120 minutes recommended)
Review each rationale thoroughly — focus on "why" the answer is correct
Score yourself: (Correct ÷ 100) × 100 = Your Score
Target: 75-80% for NBCE readiness
Re-study any topic area where you scored below 70%
KEY BOARD EXAM TOPICS:
Part I: General Anatomy, Spinal Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Chemistry
Part II: General Diagnosis, Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis, Clinical Imaging
Part III: Chiropractic Practice (adjustive technique, case management)
Part IV: Practical examination (patient simulation, X-ray interpretation)
BOARD REVIEW BEGINS BELOW
QUESTION 1:
The intervertebral disc is composed of which two structures?
,A) Annulus pulposus and nucleus fibrosis
B) Annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus
C) Cartilage endplate and ligamentum flavum
D) Nucleus pulposus and ligamentum nuchae
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The intervertebral disc consists of two main structures: the annulus
fibrosus (the outer, concentric ring of fibrocartilage) and the nucleus pulposus (the
inner, gelatinous core). The annulus pulposus is an incorrect term; it is annulus
fibrosus. The nucleus pulposus provides hydrostatic properties for load distribution.
QUESTION 2:
Which spinal ligament runs along the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies within
the spinal canal?
A) Anterior longitudinal ligament
B) Posterior longitudinal ligament
C) Ligamentum flavum
D) Supraspinous ligament
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) runs along the posterior
aspect of the vertebral bodies inside the spinal canal, from the axis to the sacrum. It
limits flexion and resists disc herniation posteriorly. The anterior longitudinal
ligament (ALL) runs along the anterior vertebral bodies. Ligamentum flavum
connects laminae.
QUESTION 3:
A patient presents with low back pain that worsens with flexion and improves with
extension. This pattern is most consistent with:
A) Disc herniation
B) Spinal stenosis
C) Facet joint syndrome
,D) Spondylolisthesis
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Disc herniation typically causes pain that worsens with flexion
(increasing intradiscal pressure and posterior displacement) and improves with
extension (McKenzie centralization phenomenon). Facet syndrome is the opposite,
worsening with extension. Spinal stenosis improves with flexion as it opens the
canal.
QUESTION 4:
The cervical vertebra that has no vertebral body and is also known as C1 is the:
A) Axis
B) Atlas
C) Vertebra prominens
D) Odontoid process
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The atlas (C1) is the first cervical vertebra and has no vertebral body —
it consists of anterior and posterior arches and lateral masses. C2 is the axis, which
has the odontoid process (dens). The vertebra prominens is C7. The atlas articulates
with the occiput above and the axis below.
QUESTION 5:
On an AP lumbar X-ray, a pedicle appears as what radiographic landmark?
A) A radiolucent circle within the vertebral body
B) The "Scottie dog" neck
C) The spinous process midline density
D) The transverse process extending laterally
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: On AP radiographs, the pedicle appears as a radiolucent (dark) oval or
circular shadow within the vertebral body, known as the "pedicle shadow" or
"pedicle ring." The "Scottie dog" appearance is seen on oblique views, where the
, pedicle forms the eye of the dog. Transverse processes extend laterally from the
pedicle-vertebral body junction.
QUESTION 6:
Which nerve root is most commonly involved in a C6-C7 disc herniation?
A) C5 nerve root
B) C6 nerve root
C) C7 nerve root
D) C8 nerve root
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: A C6-C7 disc herniation most commonly affects the C7 nerve root
(exiting below C6-C7 at the C7 level). This presents with weakness of wrist extensors
and triceps, diminished triceps reflex, and paresthesia in the middle finger. C6 root
involvement occurs with C5-C6 herniation. C8 is at C7-T1.
QUESTION 7:
The orthopedic test where the patient supine, examiner lifts the straight leg to 30-70
degrees, and pain is reproduced is called:
A) Braggard's test
B) Lasegue's test (Straight Leg Raise — SLR)
C) Kemp's test
D) Yeoman's test
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The straight leg raise (SLR), also known as Lasegue's test, is performed
with the patient supine while the examiner passively raises the extended leg. Pain
reproduction between 30-70 degrees suggests nerve root irritation (typically L5 or
S1). Braggard's test adds dorsiflexion. Kemp's tests facets. Yeoman's tests sacroiliac
joint.
QUESTION 8:
Question and Answer Bank – 100 Verified
Questions with Complete Rationale.
PURPOSE:
This comprehensive board review Q&A bank is designed to prepare chiropractic
candidates for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) Parts I, II,
III, IV and various state licensing examinations. Content aligns with NBCE
blueprints and standard chiropractic curriculum.
RECOMMENDED USE:
Complete all 100 questions in one sitting (100-120 minutes recommended)
Review each rationale thoroughly — focus on "why" the answer is correct
Score yourself: (Correct ÷ 100) × 100 = Your Score
Target: 75-80% for NBCE readiness
Re-study any topic area where you scored below 70%
KEY BOARD EXAM TOPICS:
Part I: General Anatomy, Spinal Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Chemistry
Part II: General Diagnosis, Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis, Clinical Imaging
Part III: Chiropractic Practice (adjustive technique, case management)
Part IV: Practical examination (patient simulation, X-ray interpretation)
BOARD REVIEW BEGINS BELOW
QUESTION 1:
The intervertebral disc is composed of which two structures?
,A) Annulus pulposus and nucleus fibrosis
B) Annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus
C) Cartilage endplate and ligamentum flavum
D) Nucleus pulposus and ligamentum nuchae
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The intervertebral disc consists of two main structures: the annulus
fibrosus (the outer, concentric ring of fibrocartilage) and the nucleus pulposus (the
inner, gelatinous core). The annulus pulposus is an incorrect term; it is annulus
fibrosus. The nucleus pulposus provides hydrostatic properties for load distribution.
QUESTION 2:
Which spinal ligament runs along the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies within
the spinal canal?
A) Anterior longitudinal ligament
B) Posterior longitudinal ligament
C) Ligamentum flavum
D) Supraspinous ligament
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) runs along the posterior
aspect of the vertebral bodies inside the spinal canal, from the axis to the sacrum. It
limits flexion and resists disc herniation posteriorly. The anterior longitudinal
ligament (ALL) runs along the anterior vertebral bodies. Ligamentum flavum
connects laminae.
QUESTION 3:
A patient presents with low back pain that worsens with flexion and improves with
extension. This pattern is most consistent with:
A) Disc herniation
B) Spinal stenosis
C) Facet joint syndrome
,D) Spondylolisthesis
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Disc herniation typically causes pain that worsens with flexion
(increasing intradiscal pressure and posterior displacement) and improves with
extension (McKenzie centralization phenomenon). Facet syndrome is the opposite,
worsening with extension. Spinal stenosis improves with flexion as it opens the
canal.
QUESTION 4:
The cervical vertebra that has no vertebral body and is also known as C1 is the:
A) Axis
B) Atlas
C) Vertebra prominens
D) Odontoid process
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The atlas (C1) is the first cervical vertebra and has no vertebral body —
it consists of anterior and posterior arches and lateral masses. C2 is the axis, which
has the odontoid process (dens). The vertebra prominens is C7. The atlas articulates
with the occiput above and the axis below.
QUESTION 5:
On an AP lumbar X-ray, a pedicle appears as what radiographic landmark?
A) A radiolucent circle within the vertebral body
B) The "Scottie dog" neck
C) The spinous process midline density
D) The transverse process extending laterally
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: On AP radiographs, the pedicle appears as a radiolucent (dark) oval or
circular shadow within the vertebral body, known as the "pedicle shadow" or
"pedicle ring." The "Scottie dog" appearance is seen on oblique views, where the
, pedicle forms the eye of the dog. Transverse processes extend laterally from the
pedicle-vertebral body junction.
QUESTION 6:
Which nerve root is most commonly involved in a C6-C7 disc herniation?
A) C5 nerve root
B) C6 nerve root
C) C7 nerve root
D) C8 nerve root
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: A C6-C7 disc herniation most commonly affects the C7 nerve root
(exiting below C6-C7 at the C7 level). This presents with weakness of wrist extensors
and triceps, diminished triceps reflex, and paresthesia in the middle finger. C6 root
involvement occurs with C5-C6 herniation. C8 is at C7-T1.
QUESTION 7:
The orthopedic test where the patient supine, examiner lifts the straight leg to 30-70
degrees, and pain is reproduced is called:
A) Braggard's test
B) Lasegue's test (Straight Leg Raise — SLR)
C) Kemp's test
D) Yeoman's test
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The straight leg raise (SLR), also known as Lasegue's test, is performed
with the patient supine while the examiner passively raises the extended leg. Pain
reproduction between 30-70 degrees suggests nerve root irritation (typically L5 or
S1). Braggard's test adds dorsiflexion. Kemp's tests facets. Yeoman's tests sacroiliac
joint.
QUESTION 8:
