Anatomy: The Back: Mock Multiple
Choice Questions with correct asnswer
All of the following are distinguishing characteristics of the cervical vertebrae EXCEPT:
A. The body is small and wider side to side
B. The vertebral foramen is large
C. Superior facets of the articular processes face superior and posterior
D. The transverse foramen allow the transverse artery to pass through (C6-1) -
CORRECT ANSWERS-D. The transverse foramen allow for the VERTEBRAL artery to
pass through, not the transverse artery
All of the other options are true!
All of the following are distinguishing characteristics of the thoracic vertebrae EXCEPT:
A. The body of thoracic vertebrae are heart shaped
B. The upper thoracic vertebrae transition from the cervical vertebrae and the lower
thoracic vertebrae transition to lumbar vertebrae
C. T1-T10 have transverse costal facets for articulation with ribs
D. The articular processes have mamillary processes that are located on the superior
articular pillar - CORRECT ANSWERS-D. The articular processes of the LUMBAR
vertebrae have mamillary processes, not the thoracic vertebrae
All of the other options are true!
All of the following describe the coccyx EXCEPT:
A. Made up of 4 fused vertebrae
B. Wedge-shaped
C. Has 4 pairs of foramina for dorsal/ventral nerve root exit
D. Provides attachment for pelvic muscles - CORRECT ANSWERS-C. The SACRUM
has 4 pairs of foramina, not the coccyx
All of the other options are true!
All of the following describe the PLL EXCEPT:
A. Width decreases as it descends down vertebral column
B. Attaches C2 to sacrum
C. Runs anterior to the spinal column
D. Limits extension - CORRECT ANSWERS-D. Limits extension
The PLL limits FLEXION, the ALL limits EXTENSION, making option D false
, All of the other options are true of the PLL!
All of the following describe the tectorial membrane EXCEPT:
A. Runs posterior to cruciate ligament
B. Acts as a continuation of the ALL
C. Is found from C2 to the foramen magnum - CORRECT ANSWERS-B. Acts as
continuation of the ALL
The tectorial membrane acts as a continuation of the PLL from below, NOT the ALL
All of the other options are true of the tectorial membrane!
All of the following describe the typical vertebrae EXCEPT:
A. Composed of a body, arch and seven processes
B. There are 4 articular processes on a typical vertebrae
C. The epiphyseal ring of the body is a primary ossification center during growth
D. The bodies of T4 and below gradually increase in size - CORRECT ANSWERS-C.
The epiphyseal ring of the body is a primary ossification center during growth
It is actually a secondary ossification center during growth, and all of the other options
are correct!
An infant that begins to stand and/or walk has begun to develop which vertebral
curvature?
A. Primary curve in the thoracic
B. Secondary curve in the cervical
C. Primary curve in the sacrum
D. Secondary curve in the lumbar - CORRECT ANSWERS-D. Secondary curve in the
lumbar
Infants are born with a primary curve only, eliminating A and C. The development of the
secondary curve in the cervical occurs when infants can hold their head up and sit
upright.
How many cervical vertebrae would you find in a normal vertebral column?
A. 6
B. 12
C. 7
D. 5 - CORRECT ANSWERS-C. 7
There are 7 cervical vertebrae in a normal vertebral column. There are 12 thoracic
vertebrae, 5 lumbar, 5 fused in the sacrum and 4 fused in the coccyx
Kyphosis can be described by all of the following EXCEPT:
A. An excessive posterior curvature
B. Occurs in thoracic spine
C. Can occur due to compression fractures
D. Excessive anterior curvature - CORRECT ANSWERS-D. Excessive anterior
curvature
All of the options relate to kyphosis except D, which describes lordosis
Choice Questions with correct asnswer
All of the following are distinguishing characteristics of the cervical vertebrae EXCEPT:
A. The body is small and wider side to side
B. The vertebral foramen is large
C. Superior facets of the articular processes face superior and posterior
D. The transverse foramen allow the transverse artery to pass through (C6-1) -
CORRECT ANSWERS-D. The transverse foramen allow for the VERTEBRAL artery to
pass through, not the transverse artery
All of the other options are true!
All of the following are distinguishing characteristics of the thoracic vertebrae EXCEPT:
A. The body of thoracic vertebrae are heart shaped
B. The upper thoracic vertebrae transition from the cervical vertebrae and the lower
thoracic vertebrae transition to lumbar vertebrae
C. T1-T10 have transverse costal facets for articulation with ribs
D. The articular processes have mamillary processes that are located on the superior
articular pillar - CORRECT ANSWERS-D. The articular processes of the LUMBAR
vertebrae have mamillary processes, not the thoracic vertebrae
All of the other options are true!
All of the following describe the coccyx EXCEPT:
A. Made up of 4 fused vertebrae
B. Wedge-shaped
C. Has 4 pairs of foramina for dorsal/ventral nerve root exit
D. Provides attachment for pelvic muscles - CORRECT ANSWERS-C. The SACRUM
has 4 pairs of foramina, not the coccyx
All of the other options are true!
All of the following describe the PLL EXCEPT:
A. Width decreases as it descends down vertebral column
B. Attaches C2 to sacrum
C. Runs anterior to the spinal column
D. Limits extension - CORRECT ANSWERS-D. Limits extension
The PLL limits FLEXION, the ALL limits EXTENSION, making option D false
, All of the other options are true of the PLL!
All of the following describe the tectorial membrane EXCEPT:
A. Runs posterior to cruciate ligament
B. Acts as a continuation of the ALL
C. Is found from C2 to the foramen magnum - CORRECT ANSWERS-B. Acts as
continuation of the ALL
The tectorial membrane acts as a continuation of the PLL from below, NOT the ALL
All of the other options are true of the tectorial membrane!
All of the following describe the typical vertebrae EXCEPT:
A. Composed of a body, arch and seven processes
B. There are 4 articular processes on a typical vertebrae
C. The epiphyseal ring of the body is a primary ossification center during growth
D. The bodies of T4 and below gradually increase in size - CORRECT ANSWERS-C.
The epiphyseal ring of the body is a primary ossification center during growth
It is actually a secondary ossification center during growth, and all of the other options
are correct!
An infant that begins to stand and/or walk has begun to develop which vertebral
curvature?
A. Primary curve in the thoracic
B. Secondary curve in the cervical
C. Primary curve in the sacrum
D. Secondary curve in the lumbar - CORRECT ANSWERS-D. Secondary curve in the
lumbar
Infants are born with a primary curve only, eliminating A and C. The development of the
secondary curve in the cervical occurs when infants can hold their head up and sit
upright.
How many cervical vertebrae would you find in a normal vertebral column?
A. 6
B. 12
C. 7
D. 5 - CORRECT ANSWERS-C. 7
There are 7 cervical vertebrae in a normal vertebral column. There are 12 thoracic
vertebrae, 5 lumbar, 5 fused in the sacrum and 4 fused in the coccyx
Kyphosis can be described by all of the following EXCEPT:
A. An excessive posterior curvature
B. Occurs in thoracic spine
C. Can occur due to compression fractures
D. Excessive anterior curvature - CORRECT ANSWERS-D. Excessive anterior
curvature
All of the options relate to kyphosis except D, which describes lordosis
