Irene Gold BOARDS PART
1 Spinal Anatomy
1. What is the primary function of the anterior horn of the spinal cord?
A. Sensory input
B. Motor output
C. Pain modulation
D. Proprioception
✅ Answer: B. Motor output
The anterior horn contains motor neurons that innervate skeletal muscles.
2. Which ligament limits hyperflexion of the vertebral column?
A. Anterior longitudinal ligament
B. Posterior longitudinal ligament
C. Ligamentum flavum
D. Supraspinous ligament
✅ Answer: D. Supraspinous ligament
It connects the tips of the spinous processes and resists excessive flexion.
3. The filum terminale is an extension of which meningeal layer?
A. Dura mater
B. Arachnoid mater
C. Pia mater
D. Subarachnoid space
✅ Answer: C. Pia mater
It anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx.
,4. What is the name of the tract that carries proprioceptive information from the
lower limbs to the cerebellum?
A. Fasciculus cuneatus
B. Fasciculus gracilis
C. Anterior spinothalamic tract
D. Dorsal spinocerebellar tract
✅ Answer: D. Dorsal spinocerebellar tract
This tract carries unconscious proprioceptive information to the cerebellum.
5. What spinal cord level is associated with the phrenic nerve origin?
A. C2–C3
B. C3–C5
C. C5–C6
D. C6–C8
✅ Answer: B. C3–C5
“C3, 4, and 5 keep the diaphragm alive.”
6. Which ligament connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae?
A. Ligamentum flavum
B. Interspinous ligament
C. Intertransverse ligament
D. Posterior longitudinal ligament
✅ Answer: A. Ligamentum flavum
It is highly elastic and helps preserve posture.
7. The conus medullaris typically ends at what vertebral level in adults?
A. T12
B. L1–L2
C. L3
D. L4–L5
✅ Answer: B. L1–L2
, This is where the spinal cord ends and the cauda equina begins.
8. Which tract carries pain and temperature sensations?
A. Corticospinal tract
B. Spinocerebellar tract
C. Spinothalamic tract
D. Rubrospinal tract
✅ Answer: C. Spinothalamic tract
The lateral spinothalamic tract transmits pain and temperature.
9. What part of the intervertebral disc is derived from the notochord?
A. Annulus fibrosus
B. Nucleus pulposus
C. End plate
D. Vertebral body
✅ Answer: B. Nucleus pulposus
The notochord gives rise to the gelatinous nucleus pulposus.
10. What type of joint is the zygapophyseal (facet) joint?
A. Synchondrosis
B. Syndesmosis
C. Symphysis
D. Synovial
✅ Answer: D. Synovial
Facet joints are plane-type synovial joints.11. Which vertebra has the most
prominent spinous process?
A. C1
B. C2
C. C7
D. T1
✅ Answer: C. C7
C7 is called the vertebra prominens due to its long, non-bifid spinous process.
1 Spinal Anatomy
1. What is the primary function of the anterior horn of the spinal cord?
A. Sensory input
B. Motor output
C. Pain modulation
D. Proprioception
✅ Answer: B. Motor output
The anterior horn contains motor neurons that innervate skeletal muscles.
2. Which ligament limits hyperflexion of the vertebral column?
A. Anterior longitudinal ligament
B. Posterior longitudinal ligament
C. Ligamentum flavum
D. Supraspinous ligament
✅ Answer: D. Supraspinous ligament
It connects the tips of the spinous processes and resists excessive flexion.
3. The filum terminale is an extension of which meningeal layer?
A. Dura mater
B. Arachnoid mater
C. Pia mater
D. Subarachnoid space
✅ Answer: C. Pia mater
It anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx.
,4. What is the name of the tract that carries proprioceptive information from the
lower limbs to the cerebellum?
A. Fasciculus cuneatus
B. Fasciculus gracilis
C. Anterior spinothalamic tract
D. Dorsal spinocerebellar tract
✅ Answer: D. Dorsal spinocerebellar tract
This tract carries unconscious proprioceptive information to the cerebellum.
5. What spinal cord level is associated with the phrenic nerve origin?
A. C2–C3
B. C3–C5
C. C5–C6
D. C6–C8
✅ Answer: B. C3–C5
“C3, 4, and 5 keep the diaphragm alive.”
6. Which ligament connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae?
A. Ligamentum flavum
B. Interspinous ligament
C. Intertransverse ligament
D. Posterior longitudinal ligament
✅ Answer: A. Ligamentum flavum
It is highly elastic and helps preserve posture.
7. The conus medullaris typically ends at what vertebral level in adults?
A. T12
B. L1–L2
C. L3
D. L4–L5
✅ Answer: B. L1–L2
, This is where the spinal cord ends and the cauda equina begins.
8. Which tract carries pain and temperature sensations?
A. Corticospinal tract
B. Spinocerebellar tract
C. Spinothalamic tract
D. Rubrospinal tract
✅ Answer: C. Spinothalamic tract
The lateral spinothalamic tract transmits pain and temperature.
9. What part of the intervertebral disc is derived from the notochord?
A. Annulus fibrosus
B. Nucleus pulposus
C. End plate
D. Vertebral body
✅ Answer: B. Nucleus pulposus
The notochord gives rise to the gelatinous nucleus pulposus.
10. What type of joint is the zygapophyseal (facet) joint?
A. Synchondrosis
B. Syndesmosis
C. Symphysis
D. Synovial
✅ Answer: D. Synovial
Facet joints are plane-type synovial joints.11. Which vertebra has the most
prominent spinous process?
A. C1
B. C2
C. C7
D. T1
✅ Answer: C. C7
C7 is called the vertebra prominens due to its long, non-bifid spinous process.
