NBCE PART I SPINAL ANATOMY
STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS
◉ c. Answer: The atlas (C1) has which of the following features?
a. superior articular processes that are concave inferiorly
b. an articulation with the occiput that is categorized as a planar joint
c. inferior articular processes that are oval
d. prominent anterior and posterior tubercles on the transverse
processes
◉ d. Answer: Each typical thoracic vertebra (T2-T9) has which of the
following features?
a. a prominent superior vertebral notch
b. rectangular vertebral bodies (when viewed from above)
c. superior articular processes that face posteriorly and medially and lie
within a vertical plane
d. a transverse costal facet on the transverse process that articulates
with the rib with the same number
◉ d. Answer: Which is TRUE regarding the sacrum and the coccyx?
,a. There are typically 5 pairs of pelvic sacral foramina
b. the anteriormost aspect of the body of S1 is known as the ala
c. the transverse processes of the coccyx line up with (are in register
with) the sacral cornua
d. the superior aspect of the coccyx is known as its base
◉ a. Answer: Which structure of a typical vertebra does NOT arise from
the pediculolaminar junction?
a. spinous process
b. transverse process
c. superior articular process
d. inferior articular process
◉ c. Answer: Which structures does NOT participate in the formation of
the boundaries of the intervertebral foramen (IVF)?
a. the pedicle of the vertebra above
b. the vertebral body of the vertebra above
c. the transverse process of the vertebra above
d. the pedicle of the vertebra below
,◉ a. Answer: In a typical cervical vertebra, which structures arise as
elevations of the lateral and posterior rim on the top surface of the
vertebral body?
a. uncinate processes
b. intertubercular lamellae
c. pedicles
d. anterior tubercles
◉ d. Answer: Which thoracic vertebra contains only a single facet on
each side for articulation with the ribs?
a. 4
b. 6
c. 8
d. 10
◉ d. Answer: What is the normal minimum dimension of the
anteroposterior canal in an adult lumbar vertebra?
a. 5mm
b. 9mm
c. 11mm
, d. 15mm
◉ b. Answer: Which of the following is NOT a feature of the atlas
vertebra?
a. anterior tubercle
b. bifid spinous process
c. posterior arch
d. fovea dentalis
◉ a. Answer: Uncinate processes are characteristic of what area of the
vertebral column?
a. cervical vertebrae
b. thoracic vertebrae
c. lumbar vertebrae
d. sacrum
◉ d. Answer: Which of the following foramina is NOT located in the
middle cranial fossa?
a. foramen ovale
b. foramen rotundum
STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS
◉ c. Answer: The atlas (C1) has which of the following features?
a. superior articular processes that are concave inferiorly
b. an articulation with the occiput that is categorized as a planar joint
c. inferior articular processes that are oval
d. prominent anterior and posterior tubercles on the transverse
processes
◉ d. Answer: Each typical thoracic vertebra (T2-T9) has which of the
following features?
a. a prominent superior vertebral notch
b. rectangular vertebral bodies (when viewed from above)
c. superior articular processes that face posteriorly and medially and lie
within a vertical plane
d. a transverse costal facet on the transverse process that articulates
with the rib with the same number
◉ d. Answer: Which is TRUE regarding the sacrum and the coccyx?
,a. There are typically 5 pairs of pelvic sacral foramina
b. the anteriormost aspect of the body of S1 is known as the ala
c. the transverse processes of the coccyx line up with (are in register
with) the sacral cornua
d. the superior aspect of the coccyx is known as its base
◉ a. Answer: Which structure of a typical vertebra does NOT arise from
the pediculolaminar junction?
a. spinous process
b. transverse process
c. superior articular process
d. inferior articular process
◉ c. Answer: Which structures does NOT participate in the formation of
the boundaries of the intervertebral foramen (IVF)?
a. the pedicle of the vertebra above
b. the vertebral body of the vertebra above
c. the transverse process of the vertebra above
d. the pedicle of the vertebra below
,◉ a. Answer: In a typical cervical vertebra, which structures arise as
elevations of the lateral and posterior rim on the top surface of the
vertebral body?
a. uncinate processes
b. intertubercular lamellae
c. pedicles
d. anterior tubercles
◉ d. Answer: Which thoracic vertebra contains only a single facet on
each side for articulation with the ribs?
a. 4
b. 6
c. 8
d. 10
◉ d. Answer: What is the normal minimum dimension of the
anteroposterior canal in an adult lumbar vertebra?
a. 5mm
b. 9mm
c. 11mm
, d. 15mm
◉ b. Answer: Which of the following is NOT a feature of the atlas
vertebra?
a. anterior tubercle
b. bifid spinous process
c. posterior arch
d. fovea dentalis
◉ a. Answer: Uncinate processes are characteristic of what area of the
vertebral column?
a. cervical vertebrae
b. thoracic vertebrae
c. lumbar vertebrae
d. sacrum
◉ d. Answer: Which of the following foramina is NOT located in the
middle cranial fossa?
a. foramen ovale
b. foramen rotundum
