NBCE Part I – Spinal Anatomy Exam Prep | Latest 2026 Edition |
Comprehensive Review Guide with Practice Questions, Verified
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Which of these muscles does not belong to the transversospinalis group?
A. semispinalis
B. rotatores
C. levator costarum
D. multifidus
C. levator costarum
The longissimus cervicis muscle is attached superiorly at the _____.
A. transverse process of C2-C6
B. mastoid process
C. spinous processes of C1-C5
D. styloid process
C. spinous processes of C1-C5
The serratus posterior superior muscle belongs to which of these groups?
A. shoulder girdle
B. transversospinalis
C. accessory respiratory
D. erector spinae
C. accessory respiratory
Which muscle attaches directly to the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae?
A. external abdominal oblique
B. quadratus lumborum
C. iliacus
D. serratus posterior inferior
B. quadratus lumborum
Which of the following muscles is not a part of the pelvic diaphragm?
A. pubococcygeus
B. iliococcygeus
C. coccygeus
,D. piriformis
D. piriformis
The muscles of the abdominal wall are derived from
A. surface ectoderm
B. splanchnic mesoderm
C. somatic mesoderm
D. endodermal mesoderm
C. somatic mesoderm
Muscles of mastication develop from _____.
A. pharyngeal arches
B. occipital myotomes
C. preotic myotomes
D. cervical myotomes
A. pharyngeal arches
The neonatal spheno-occipital joint is classified as a _____.
A. syndesmosis
B. diarthrosis
C. symphysis
D. synchondrosis
D. synchondrosis
Which of the following articulations is a synarthrosis?
A. hip
B. pubic symphysis
C. temporomandibular joint
D. glenohumeral joint
B. pubic symphysis
The annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc is comprised of _____.
A. elastic cartilage
B. reticular tissue
C. fibrocartilage
D. areolar tissue
C. fibrocartilage
The nuchal ligament extends from the external occipital protuberance to the spinous process of _____.
A. C5
B. C6
,C. C7
D. T1
C. C7
Which of the following is the primary motion at the atlanto-occipital articulation?
A. rotation
B. flexion-extension
C. lateral flexion
D. circumduction
B. flexion-extension
During left lateral flexion, the right inferior articular process of C6 moves _____ and _____.
A. superior; posterior
B. inferior; posterior
C. superior; anterior
D. inferior; anterior
C. superior; anterior
The annular fibers of the disc are most susceptible to damage during which of the following?
A. extension
B. lateral flexion
C. rotation
D. flexion
C. rotation
The satiety center is located in the _____.
A. hippocampus
B. hypothalamus
C. caudate nucleus
D. olivary bodies
B. hypothalamus
The anterior portion of the parahippocampal gyrus is known as the _____.
A. uncus
B. splenium
C. fornix
D. obex
A. uncus
Which of these bones does not articulate at the pterion?
A. parietal
B. sphenoid
, C. temporal
D. zygomatic
D. zygomatic
Which part of the occiput is located anterior to the foramen magnum?
A. squamous
B. condylar
C. nuchal
D. basilar
D. basilar
The opening of the auditory tube is located in the _____.
A. nasopharynx
B. oropharynx
C. laryngopharynx
D. nasal cavity
A. nasopharynx
Which facet orientation allows flexion, extension, and lateral flexion, but limits rotation?
A. coronal
B. sagittal
C. horizontal
D. axial
B. sagittal
The vertebral canal is narrower and circular in the _____ region.
A. lower cervical
B. middle thoracic
C. lower lumbar
D. upper sacral
B. middle thoracic
The subclavian grooves are on the _____.
A. C7 vertebra
B. first rib
C. second rib
D. manubrium
B. first rib
Which vertebral body has a pair of full facets as well as a pair of demifacets for rib attachment?
A. T1
B. T10
C. T11
D. T12
A. T1
Vertebral maturation is a result of which of the following processes?
A. endochondral ossification
B. intramembranous ossification
C. mesenchymal ossification
D. chondrification
Comprehensive Review Guide with Practice Questions, Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Chiropractic Board Success Resource
| Instant PDF Download
Which of these muscles does not belong to the transversospinalis group?
A. semispinalis
B. rotatores
C. levator costarum
D. multifidus
C. levator costarum
The longissimus cervicis muscle is attached superiorly at the _____.
A. transverse process of C2-C6
B. mastoid process
C. spinous processes of C1-C5
D. styloid process
C. spinous processes of C1-C5
The serratus posterior superior muscle belongs to which of these groups?
A. shoulder girdle
B. transversospinalis
C. accessory respiratory
D. erector spinae
C. accessory respiratory
Which muscle attaches directly to the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae?
A. external abdominal oblique
B. quadratus lumborum
C. iliacus
D. serratus posterior inferior
B. quadratus lumborum
Which of the following muscles is not a part of the pelvic diaphragm?
A. pubococcygeus
B. iliococcygeus
C. coccygeus
,D. piriformis
D. piriformis
The muscles of the abdominal wall are derived from
A. surface ectoderm
B. splanchnic mesoderm
C. somatic mesoderm
D. endodermal mesoderm
C. somatic mesoderm
Muscles of mastication develop from _____.
A. pharyngeal arches
B. occipital myotomes
C. preotic myotomes
D. cervical myotomes
A. pharyngeal arches
The neonatal spheno-occipital joint is classified as a _____.
A. syndesmosis
B. diarthrosis
C. symphysis
D. synchondrosis
D. synchondrosis
Which of the following articulations is a synarthrosis?
A. hip
B. pubic symphysis
C. temporomandibular joint
D. glenohumeral joint
B. pubic symphysis
The annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc is comprised of _____.
A. elastic cartilage
B. reticular tissue
C. fibrocartilage
D. areolar tissue
C. fibrocartilage
The nuchal ligament extends from the external occipital protuberance to the spinous process of _____.
A. C5
B. C6
,C. C7
D. T1
C. C7
Which of the following is the primary motion at the atlanto-occipital articulation?
A. rotation
B. flexion-extension
C. lateral flexion
D. circumduction
B. flexion-extension
During left lateral flexion, the right inferior articular process of C6 moves _____ and _____.
A. superior; posterior
B. inferior; posterior
C. superior; anterior
D. inferior; anterior
C. superior; anterior
The annular fibers of the disc are most susceptible to damage during which of the following?
A. extension
B. lateral flexion
C. rotation
D. flexion
C. rotation
The satiety center is located in the _____.
A. hippocampus
B. hypothalamus
C. caudate nucleus
D. olivary bodies
B. hypothalamus
The anterior portion of the parahippocampal gyrus is known as the _____.
A. uncus
B. splenium
C. fornix
D. obex
A. uncus
Which of these bones does not articulate at the pterion?
A. parietal
B. sphenoid
, C. temporal
D. zygomatic
D. zygomatic
Which part of the occiput is located anterior to the foramen magnum?
A. squamous
B. condylar
C. nuchal
D. basilar
D. basilar
The opening of the auditory tube is located in the _____.
A. nasopharynx
B. oropharynx
C. laryngopharynx
D. nasal cavity
A. nasopharynx
Which facet orientation allows flexion, extension, and lateral flexion, but limits rotation?
A. coronal
B. sagittal
C. horizontal
D. axial
B. sagittal
The vertebral canal is narrower and circular in the _____ region.
A. lower cervical
B. middle thoracic
C. lower lumbar
D. upper sacral
B. middle thoracic
The subclavian grooves are on the _____.
A. C7 vertebra
B. first rib
C. second rib
D. manubrium
B. first rib
Which vertebral body has a pair of full facets as well as a pair of demifacets for rib attachment?
A. T1
B. T10
C. T11
D. T12
A. T1
Vertebral maturation is a result of which of the following processes?
A. endochondral ossification
B. intramembranous ossification
C. mesenchymal ossification
D. chondrification
