EXSS 288 Final Exam Review 2026:
Musculoskeletal Injury & Sports Medicine
Study Guide | Acing Your AT Exam
Description:
Struggling to master spinal assessments, shoulder impingements, and elbow pathologies for your
final? This targeted EXSS 288 Final Exam Review is your ultimate sports medicine study
guide. Created specifically for athletic training and kinesiology students, this 2026 resource
provides 50 detailed Q&A covering spinal injuries (spondylolysis, herniated disc), shoulder
complex (rotator cuff, labral tear, AC joint), and elbow disorders (UCL sprain,
epicondylitis).
Each question includes a clear answer and in-depth explanation to build clinical reasoning, not
just memorization. Based on current musculoskeletal assessment and management protocols,
this guide mirrors the structure and rigor of university-level exams.
Stop stressing and start mastering—download your free study guide now and walk into your final
with confidence!
, EXSS 288 Final Exam Review: Spinal, Shoulder & Elbow Injury
Questions & Answers (2026 Guide)
1. What is the primary functional role of the vertebral column's bony alignment?
Answer: Provides structural support for posture, serves as attachment points for muscles and
ligaments, allows for nerve passage and protection of the spinal cord.
Explanation: The spinal vertebrae are stacked to create a flexible yet stable central axis. This
arrangement supports the body’s weight, facilitates movement through muscular attachments,
offers anchor points for spinal ligaments, and forms the vertebral canal to house and protect the
delicate spinal cord.
2. To which vertebral structure are the ribs primarily attached?
Answer: Transverse processes.
Explanation: In the thoracic region, the ribs articulate with the vertebrae at two points: the
costal facets on the vertebral bodies and the transverse processes. This connection forms the
costotransverse joints, which are essential for rib movement during respiration.
3. The network of nerves that supplies the chest, shoulder, and upper limbs originates from which
area?
Answer: Brachial plexus.
Explanation: The brachial plexus is a complex network of nerves formed from the ventral rami
of the lower cervical and first thoracic spinal nerves (C5-T1). It is responsible for the motor and
sensory innervation of the upper limb and shoulder girdle.
4. During cervical flexion, which vertebral spinous process typically becomes the most prominent?
Answer: C7 (vertebra prominens).
Explanation: The spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) is longer and more
prominent than those of the vertebrae above it. When the neck is flexed forward, this process is
easily palpable at the base of the neck, serving as a key anatomical landmark.
5. How many vertebrae comprise the lumbar region of the spine?
Answer: 5.
Explanation: The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae, labeled L1 through L5. They are the
largest and strongest of the movable vertebrae, designed to bear the majority of the body's weight
and provide stability with limited rotation.
Musculoskeletal Injury & Sports Medicine
Study Guide | Acing Your AT Exam
Description:
Struggling to master spinal assessments, shoulder impingements, and elbow pathologies for your
final? This targeted EXSS 288 Final Exam Review is your ultimate sports medicine study
guide. Created specifically for athletic training and kinesiology students, this 2026 resource
provides 50 detailed Q&A covering spinal injuries (spondylolysis, herniated disc), shoulder
complex (rotator cuff, labral tear, AC joint), and elbow disorders (UCL sprain,
epicondylitis).
Each question includes a clear answer and in-depth explanation to build clinical reasoning, not
just memorization. Based on current musculoskeletal assessment and management protocols,
this guide mirrors the structure and rigor of university-level exams.
Stop stressing and start mastering—download your free study guide now and walk into your final
with confidence!
, EXSS 288 Final Exam Review: Spinal, Shoulder & Elbow Injury
Questions & Answers (2026 Guide)
1. What is the primary functional role of the vertebral column's bony alignment?
Answer: Provides structural support for posture, serves as attachment points for muscles and
ligaments, allows for nerve passage and protection of the spinal cord.
Explanation: The spinal vertebrae are stacked to create a flexible yet stable central axis. This
arrangement supports the body’s weight, facilitates movement through muscular attachments,
offers anchor points for spinal ligaments, and forms the vertebral canal to house and protect the
delicate spinal cord.
2. To which vertebral structure are the ribs primarily attached?
Answer: Transverse processes.
Explanation: In the thoracic region, the ribs articulate with the vertebrae at two points: the
costal facets on the vertebral bodies and the transverse processes. This connection forms the
costotransverse joints, which are essential for rib movement during respiration.
3. The network of nerves that supplies the chest, shoulder, and upper limbs originates from which
area?
Answer: Brachial plexus.
Explanation: The brachial plexus is a complex network of nerves formed from the ventral rami
of the lower cervical and first thoracic spinal nerves (C5-T1). It is responsible for the motor and
sensory innervation of the upper limb and shoulder girdle.
4. During cervical flexion, which vertebral spinous process typically becomes the most prominent?
Answer: C7 (vertebra prominens).
Explanation: The spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) is longer and more
prominent than those of the vertebrae above it. When the neck is flexed forward, this process is
easily palpable at the base of the neck, serving as a key anatomical landmark.
5. How many vertebrae comprise the lumbar region of the spine?
Answer: 5.
Explanation: The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae, labeled L1 through L5. They are the
largest and strongest of the movable vertebrae, designed to bear the majority of the body's weight
and provide stability with limited rotation.
