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LECOM-SH OPP 1001 Exam 2: Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar Spine
Mechanics Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: FRYETTE'S PRINCIPLES & SPINAL BIOMECHANIC
Q1. According to Fryette's First Principle (Type I mechanics),
when the spine is in a neutral position, sidebending and
rotation occur:
A. To opposite sides.
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.
Q2. According to Fryette's Second Principle (Type II mechanics),
when a single segment is in a non-neutral position (flexion or
extension), rotation and sidebending occur:
A. To the same side.
Rationale: Fryette's Second Law states that when a single
vertebral segment is in a non-neutral position (either flexed or
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extended), rotation and sidebending occur in the same
direction. This is the hallmark of Type II somatic dysfunction.
Q3. How many vertebral segments are typically involved in a
Type I somatic dysfunction?
A. Multiple segments (a group curve).
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.
Q4. How many vertebral segments are typically involved in a
Type II somatic dysfunction?
A. A single segment.
Rationale: Fryette's Type II mechanics involve a single vertebral
segment. Type I involves multiple segments in neutral position.
Q5. In a Type I somatic dysfunction, if the spine sidebends to
the right, the vertebrae rotate:
A. To the left.
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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.
Q6. 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 patient
slumps forward into spinal flexion. What is the correct
diagnosis?
A. T5 Flexed RR SR (T5 F R(R) S(R)).
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."
Q7. 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 F R(R) S(R).
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Rationale: Somatic dysfunctions are named for their position of
comfort. Because symmetry improves in flexion, the vertebra is
flexed (F). The spinous process rotates to the right and
sidebends to the right, so the naming is T5 F R(R) S(R).
Q8. What is the "neutral" position of the spine?
A. The position where the spine is neither flexed nor extended
— typically the resting position of the lumbar spine.
Rationale: Neutral position is the resting position where the
facet joints are not engaged in flexion or extension. This is the
position in which Type I mechanics occur.
Q9. In Fryette's Type I mechanics, what is the primary
characteristic of the vertebral segment's state?
A. The segments are in a neutral position without facet locking.
Rationale: Type I mechanics occur when the spine is in neutral,
meaning the facets are not locked into flexion or extension. This
allows for coupled motion where sidebending and rotation
occur in opposite directions.
Q10. A Type II somatic dysfunction is most often found in which
regions of the spine?
LECOM-SH OPP 1001 Exam 2: Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar Spine
Mechanics Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: FRYETTE'S PRINCIPLES & SPINAL BIOMECHANIC
Q1. According to Fryette's First Principle (Type I mechanics),
when the spine is in a neutral position, sidebending and
rotation occur:
A. To opposite sides.
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.
Q2. According to Fryette's Second Principle (Type II mechanics),
when a single segment is in a non-neutral position (flexion or
extension), rotation and sidebending occur:
A. To the same side.
Rationale: Fryette's Second Law states that when a single
vertebral segment is in a non-neutral position (either flexed or
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extended), rotation and sidebending occur in the same
direction. This is the hallmark of Type II somatic dysfunction.
Q3. How many vertebral segments are typically involved in a
Type I somatic dysfunction?
A. Multiple segments (a group curve).
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.
Q4. How many vertebral segments are typically involved in a
Type II somatic dysfunction?
A. A single segment.
Rationale: Fryette's Type II mechanics involve a single vertebral
segment. Type I involves multiple segments in neutral position.
Q5. In a Type I somatic dysfunction, if the spine sidebends to
the right, the vertebrae rotate:
A. To the left.
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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.
Q6. 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 patient
slumps forward into spinal flexion. What is the correct
diagnosis?
A. T5 Flexed RR SR (T5 F R(R) S(R)).
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."
Q7. 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 F R(R) S(R).
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Rationale: Somatic dysfunctions are named for their position of
comfort. Because symmetry improves in flexion, the vertebra is
flexed (F). The spinous process rotates to the right and
sidebends to the right, so the naming is T5 F R(R) S(R).
Q8. What is the "neutral" position of the spine?
A. The position where the spine is neither flexed nor extended
— typically the resting position of the lumbar spine.
Rationale: Neutral position is the resting position where the
facet joints are not engaged in flexion or extension. This is the
position in which Type I mechanics occur.
Q9. In Fryette's Type I mechanics, what is the primary
characteristic of the vertebral segment's state?
A. The segments are in a neutral position without facet locking.
Rationale: Type I mechanics occur when the spine is in neutral,
meaning the facets are not locked into flexion or extension. This
allows for coupled motion where sidebending and rotation
occur in opposite directions.
Q10. A Type II somatic dysfunction is most often found in which
regions of the spine?
