Polestar Certification Exam Review – Practice Questions &
Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Graded A+
What is "tripod WB" refering to in the spine? - correct answerdisc in front and facets in
back
Local muscles or deep local stabilizers primary job is - correct answerproprioception
and stiffness -
These are muscles that have unique control over the posturing of our head. - correct
answerThese deep local muscles: the Rectus Capitus Posterior, the Oblique Capitus
Superior and the Oblique Capitus Inferior.
In anticipation of movement, the Transverse Abdominis - correct answerActivates sub-
consciously and sub-threshold
The primary purpose of the rectus abdominis is to: - correct answerAccelerate or
decelerate flexion and extension of the spine
The deep muscles of the back (multifidi and rotatores): - correct answerCreate stiffness
and control around the spine based on the anticipated activity
Which of the following is true regarding fascia? - correct answerFascia is a living,
dynamic, communicating tissue in our body that links all of our cells together
Prevents collapse or shift forward of spinal vertebrae - correct answerThe Anterior
Longitudinal Ligament:
The ligamentum flavum is different from other ligaments as it is: - correct answerYellow,
elastic, made to stretch and expand
Pelvic ligaments: - correct answerAre extremely thick ligaments that connect the ilium
and sacrum together
wraps all the way around the body and connects to the posterior lumbar
fascia, or the thoracolumbar fascia. It draws
on the rectus sheath and on the thoracolumbar
fascia, which is filled with the erector spinae and the multifidi muscles. - correct
answerTA
The psoas major ascends
and has a relationship with our spine. - correct answerIt ascends past the lumbar spine,
and has insertions up through the diaphragm
into the lower thoracic spine in the anterior body
or the anterior lateral body of the vertebra. This is very important.
, What connects the arm to the thoracolumbar fascia? - correct answerthe latissimus
dorsi muscle
These pelvic floor sphincters are suspended
and held in place by this sling. - correct answerThis is called the pubococcygeus muscle
The intervertebral disc - correct answerfunctions as a shock absorber
axial elongation places the vertebrae in their optimal position , minimizing destructive
forces to the disc
WB inc. compressive forces on disc
compression/decompression necessary for disc health
The annulus - correct answerthe outer shell- provides strength and stability to disc
The nucleus pulposes - correct answerthe jelly like center provides the distribution of
forces between vertebrae
effects on disc during spine flexion - correct answercompresses the anterior portion of
the disc, pushing the nucleus posteriorly
effects on disc during spine extension - correct answercompression the posterior portion
of the disc, pushing the nucleus anteriorly
stability - correct answercontrol of mobility
According to Panjabi's Model for Stability, stability comes from which of the following 3
factors? - correct answerMotor control, inert structures, contractile structures
Injuries occur: - correct answerAt end range of motion
A force couple is defined as: - correct answerMuscles working together to create
increased stiffness, strength or acceleration
Muscular slings are important because they: - correct answerWork synergistically
together with the fascial system to optimize movement and performance
Neutral spine is defined as: - correct answerPosition of the spine in which every joint is
held in an optimal position to allow for equal distribution of force through the entire
structure
Panjabi defines the "neutral zone" as - correct answerA measure of spinal laxity in the
vicinity of the neutral position
Which muscle provides greater than 2/3 of the stiffness around the L4-5 segment? -
correct answermultifidus
Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Graded A+
What is "tripod WB" refering to in the spine? - correct answerdisc in front and facets in
back
Local muscles or deep local stabilizers primary job is - correct answerproprioception
and stiffness -
These are muscles that have unique control over the posturing of our head. - correct
answerThese deep local muscles: the Rectus Capitus Posterior, the Oblique Capitus
Superior and the Oblique Capitus Inferior.
In anticipation of movement, the Transverse Abdominis - correct answerActivates sub-
consciously and sub-threshold
The primary purpose of the rectus abdominis is to: - correct answerAccelerate or
decelerate flexion and extension of the spine
The deep muscles of the back (multifidi and rotatores): - correct answerCreate stiffness
and control around the spine based on the anticipated activity
Which of the following is true regarding fascia? - correct answerFascia is a living,
dynamic, communicating tissue in our body that links all of our cells together
Prevents collapse or shift forward of spinal vertebrae - correct answerThe Anterior
Longitudinal Ligament:
The ligamentum flavum is different from other ligaments as it is: - correct answerYellow,
elastic, made to stretch and expand
Pelvic ligaments: - correct answerAre extremely thick ligaments that connect the ilium
and sacrum together
wraps all the way around the body and connects to the posterior lumbar
fascia, or the thoracolumbar fascia. It draws
on the rectus sheath and on the thoracolumbar
fascia, which is filled with the erector spinae and the multifidi muscles. - correct
answerTA
The psoas major ascends
and has a relationship with our spine. - correct answerIt ascends past the lumbar spine,
and has insertions up through the diaphragm
into the lower thoracic spine in the anterior body
or the anterior lateral body of the vertebra. This is very important.
, What connects the arm to the thoracolumbar fascia? - correct answerthe latissimus
dorsi muscle
These pelvic floor sphincters are suspended
and held in place by this sling. - correct answerThis is called the pubococcygeus muscle
The intervertebral disc - correct answerfunctions as a shock absorber
axial elongation places the vertebrae in their optimal position , minimizing destructive
forces to the disc
WB inc. compressive forces on disc
compression/decompression necessary for disc health
The annulus - correct answerthe outer shell- provides strength and stability to disc
The nucleus pulposes - correct answerthe jelly like center provides the distribution of
forces between vertebrae
effects on disc during spine flexion - correct answercompresses the anterior portion of
the disc, pushing the nucleus posteriorly
effects on disc during spine extension - correct answercompression the posterior portion
of the disc, pushing the nucleus anteriorly
stability - correct answercontrol of mobility
According to Panjabi's Model for Stability, stability comes from which of the following 3
factors? - correct answerMotor control, inert structures, contractile structures
Injuries occur: - correct answerAt end range of motion
A force couple is defined as: - correct answerMuscles working together to create
increased stiffness, strength or acceleration
Muscular slings are important because they: - correct answerWork synergistically
together with the fascial system to optimize movement and performance
Neutral spine is defined as: - correct answerPosition of the spine in which every joint is
held in an optimal position to allow for equal distribution of force through the entire
structure
Panjabi defines the "neutral zone" as - correct answerA measure of spinal laxity in the
vicinity of the neutral position
Which muscle provides greater than 2/3 of the stiffness around the L4-5 segment? -
correct answermultifidus
