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LECOM-SH OPP 1001 — EXAM 2 (MULTIPLE CHOICE
FORMAT) Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar Spine Mechanics, Fryette's
Principles, and Associated Musculature Questions with Answers
and Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: FRYETTE'S PRINCIPLES & SPINAL BIOMECHANICS
1. According to Fryette's First Principle, when the spine is in a
neutral position, sidebending and rotation occur:
A. To the same side
B. To opposite sides
C. Only in flexion
D. Only in extension
Answer: B
Rationale: Fryette's First Law states that when multiple
vertebral segments are in a neutral position (neither flexed nor
extended), sidebending and rotation occur in opposite
directions. This typically occurs in group curves and involves
multiple vertebral segments. For example, if the spine sidebends
to the right, the vertebrae rotate to the left.
2. According to Fryette's Second Principle, when a single
segment is in a non-neutral position (flexion or extension),
rotation and sidebending occur:
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A. To opposite sides
B. To the same side
C. Only in neutral
D. Only in rotation
Answer: B
Rationale: Fryette's Second Law states that when a single
vertebral segment is in a non-neutral position (either flexed or
extended), rotation and sidebending occur in the same
direction. This is the hallmark of Type II somatic dysfunction.
3. How many vertebral segments are typically involved in a
Type I somatic dysfunction?
A. A single segment
B. Multiple segments (a group curve)
C. Two segments
D. Three segments
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I mechanics involve a group of vertebrae in a
neutral position. Type II mechanics involve a single vertebral
segment in a non-neutral position.
4. How many vertebral segments are typically involved in a
Type II somatic dysfunction?
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A. A single segment
B. Multiple segments
C. Two segments
D. Three segments
Answer: A
Rationale: Fryette's Type II mechanics involve a single vertebral
segment. Type I involves multiple segments in neutral position.
5. In a Type I somatic dysfunction, if the spine sidebends to
the right, the vertebrae rotate:
A. To the right
B. To the left
C. Only in flexion
D. Only in extension
Answer: B
Rationale: In Fryette's Type I mechanics, sidebending and
rotation occur in opposite directions. If sidebending is to the
right, rotation is to the left, and vice versa.
6. A patient presents with a structural exam revealing a
restricted T5 segment. The segment prefers rotation to the
right and sidebending to the right. It improves when the
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patient slumps forward into spinal flexion. What is the correct
diagnosis?
A. T5 Extended RR SR
B. T5 Flexed RR SR
C. T5 Neutral RR SR
D. T5 Flexed RL SL
Answer: B
Rationale: Because the dysfunction improves in flexion, the
segment is diagnosed as Flexed. According to Fryette's Second
Law (Type II mechanics), when a single segment is in a non-
neutral position, rotation and sidebending occur in the same
direction. Hence, rotation right (RR) and sidebending right (SR)
yields a diagnosis of "Flexed RR SR."
7. A patient is diagnosed with a somatic dysfunction of the 5th
thoracic vertebra. Palpation reveals that the T5 spinous
process is rotated right. The rotation abnormality worsens
during lumbar and thoracic extension but symmetry improves
during flexion. How should this dysfunction be named?
A. T5 E R(R) S(R)
B. T5 F R(R) S(R)
C. T5 N R(R) S(R)
D. T5 F R(L) S(L)
LECOM-SH OPP 1001 — EXAM 2 (MULTIPLE CHOICE
FORMAT) Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar Spine Mechanics, Fryette's
Principles, and Associated Musculature Questions with Answers
and Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: FRYETTE'S PRINCIPLES & SPINAL BIOMECHANICS
1. According to Fryette's First Principle, when the spine is in a
neutral position, sidebending and rotation occur:
A. To the same side
B. To opposite sides
C. Only in flexion
D. Only in extension
Answer: B
Rationale: Fryette's First Law states that when multiple
vertebral segments are in a neutral position (neither flexed nor
extended), sidebending and rotation occur in opposite
directions. This typically occurs in group curves and involves
multiple vertebral segments. For example, if the spine sidebends
to the right, the vertebrae rotate to the left.
2. According to Fryette's Second Principle, when a single
segment is in a non-neutral position (flexion or extension),
rotation and sidebending occur:
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A. To opposite sides
B. To the same side
C. Only in neutral
D. Only in rotation
Answer: B
Rationale: Fryette's Second Law states that when a single
vertebral segment is in a non-neutral position (either flexed or
extended), rotation and sidebending occur in the same
direction. This is the hallmark of Type II somatic dysfunction.
3. How many vertebral segments are typically involved in a
Type I somatic dysfunction?
A. A single segment
B. Multiple segments (a group curve)
C. Two segments
D. Three segments
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I mechanics involve a group of vertebrae in a
neutral position. Type II mechanics involve a single vertebral
segment in a non-neutral position.
4. How many vertebral segments are typically involved in a
Type II somatic dysfunction?
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A. A single segment
B. Multiple segments
C. Two segments
D. Three segments
Answer: A
Rationale: Fryette's Type II mechanics involve a single vertebral
segment. Type I involves multiple segments in neutral position.
5. In a Type I somatic dysfunction, if the spine sidebends to
the right, the vertebrae rotate:
A. To the right
B. To the left
C. Only in flexion
D. Only in extension
Answer: B
Rationale: In Fryette's Type I mechanics, sidebending and
rotation occur in opposite directions. If sidebending is to the
right, rotation is to the left, and vice versa.
6. A patient presents with a structural exam revealing a
restricted T5 segment. The segment prefers rotation to the
right and sidebending to the right. It improves when the
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patient slumps forward into spinal flexion. What is the correct
diagnosis?
A. T5 Extended RR SR
B. T5 Flexed RR SR
C. T5 Neutral RR SR
D. T5 Flexed RL SL
Answer: B
Rationale: Because the dysfunction improves in flexion, the
segment is diagnosed as Flexed. According to Fryette's Second
Law (Type II mechanics), when a single segment is in a non-
neutral position, rotation and sidebending occur in the same
direction. Hence, rotation right (RR) and sidebending right (SR)
yields a diagnosis of "Flexed RR SR."
7. A patient is diagnosed with a somatic dysfunction of the 5th
thoracic vertebra. Palpation reveals that the T5 spinous
process is rotated right. The rotation abnormality worsens
during lumbar and thoracic extension but symmetry improves
during flexion. How should this dysfunction be named?
A. T5 E R(R) S(R)
B. T5 F R(R) S(R)
C. T5 N R(R) S(R)
D. T5 F R(L) S(L)
