ANSWERS & REAL IMAGES | BASIC SCIENCES: ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY,
CHEMISTRY, PATHOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY | GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED PASS
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the NBCE Part 1 Actual Exam 2026/2027 | 2 Versions with Verified
Answers & Real Images complete study resource. This guide provides actual
exam-style questions from two different exam versions, covering the six basic
science domains tested on the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Part 1
examination
Question 1
Which of the following structures is found in the superior mediastinum?
A) Heart
B) Aortic arch
C) Trachea
D) Esophagus
*Explanation: The superior mediastinum contains the aortic arch,
brachiocephalic veins, superior vena cava, trachea, esophagus, thymus, and
vagus nerves. The heart is located in the middle mediastinum. The aortic
arch is a key landmark in the superior mediastinum. *
Question 2
The flexor digitorum profundus muscle is innervated by which nerve?
,A) Median nerve
B) Ulnar nerve (medial half) and anterior interosseous nerve (lateral half)
C) Radial nerve
D) Musculocutaneous nerve
*Explanation: The flexor digitorum profundus has dual innervation. The
medial half (digits 4 and 5) is innervated by the ulnar nerve. The lateral half
(digits 2 and 3) is innervated by the anterior interosseous nerve (branch of
median nerve). This is a commonly tested anatomical fact. *
Question 3
Which of the following is a feature of the atlas (C1)?
A) Dens
B) Bifid spinous process
C) No vertebral body and no spinous process
D) Transverse foramen
*Explanation: The atlas (C1) is unique in that it lacks a vertebral body and a
spinous process. It consists of anterior and posterior arches connected by
lateral masses. The dens is a feature of the axis (C2). *
Question 4
The sciatic nerve is composed of which two nerves?
A) Femoral and obturator
B) Tibial and common fibular (peroneal)
C) Superior and inferior gluteal
D) Pudendal and posterior femoral cutaneous
,*Explanation: The sciatic nerve is formed by the tibial nerve (L4-S3) and the
common fibular (peroneal) nerve (L4-S2) within the pelvis. It is the largest
nerve in the body and supplies most of the lower limb. *
Question 5
The ligamentum flavum connects which structures?
A) Vertebral bodies
B) Adjacent laminae
C) Spinous processes
D) Transverse processes
*Explanation: The ligamentum flavum connects the laminae of adjacent
vertebrae. It is composed of elastic tissue and helps maintain upright
posture. It forms the posterior boundary of the vertebral canal. This is a
key structure in spinal anatomy. *
Question 6
Which of the following muscles is NOT part of the rotator cuff?
A) Supraspinatus
B) Infraspinatus
C) Teres minor
D) Teres major
*Explanation: The rotator cuff consists of four muscles: supraspinatus,
infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis (SITS). Teres major is not a
rotator cuff muscle; it acts on the shoulder joint but does not provide
dynamic stabilization of the glenohumeral joint. *
, Question 7
The femoral triangle is bounded by which structures?
A) Inguinal ligament, sartorius, adductor longus
B) Inguinal ligament, iliopsoas, pectineus
C) Sartorius, gracilis, adductor magnus
D) Iliopsoas, pectineus, adductor longus
*Explanation: The femoral triangle is bounded superiorly by the inguinal
ligament, laterally by the sartorius muscle, and medially by the adductor
longus muscle. Its floor is formed by the iliopsoas and pectineus muscles.
The femoral artery, vein, and nerve pass through this triangle. *
Question 8
The pterion is a junction of which bones?
A) Frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid
B) Frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal
C) Temporal, sphenoid, occipital, and parietal
D) Frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid, and maxilla
*Explanation: The pterion is the H-shaped junction of the frontal, parietal,
temporal, and sphenoid bones. It is clinically significant because the middle
meningeal artery runs deep to it. A fracture at the pterion can cause an
epidural hematoma. *