Spinal Anatomy Lecture 2023 Practice Questions with Answers
1. What is the primary motion of the C0-C1 articulation?: "head nodding", 25 degree in flexion
extension
2. What is the primary motion of the C1-C2 articulation?: shaking "no" head motion;
Y axis rotation at 45 degrees. 50% total
3. Where is the external occipital protuberance located? The clivus is located where?: it's a
prominent tubercle at the posterior portion of the occiput, its palpable: superior to the bifit SP of
C2
the intersection of the basilar process and the sphenoid
4. What is the shape of the superior articular surfaces of C1? The inferior surfaces?: superior
articular surfaces: concave, bean shaped
inferior articular surfaces: circular and slightly convex
5. What structures create the uncovertebral joints? What is an AKA for these joints?: This is when
the uncinate process and Semi-lunar facet meet they form the uncovertebral joint.
6. What are the functions of the uncovertebral joints?: Keeps the discs in place and keeps the
bones from sliding laterally.
7. T or F. The uncovertebral joints predisposed to degeneration.: True
8. Does C2 have semi-lunar facets?: no
9. What structures run through the transverse foramina of C1-C6? What struc- tures run through the
transverse foramina of C7?: vertebral artery c6-c1. Noth- ing runs through c7
10.What are the articular pillars?: The bony portion of cervical vertebrae that lies between the
superior and inferior facets. Located posterior to the transverse process
11.What makes C7 atypical?: no bifid spinous process
12.Which ribs are considered "false ribs"?: 9 and 10
13.Which ribs are "floating ribs"?: 11 and 12
14.Is rib #1 considered typical or atypical?: atypical
15.What are the unique anatomical features of T11?: one full costal facet and no transverse costal
facet
16.What are the unique anatomical features of T12?: one full set of costal facets and no transverse
costal facets. It also has a superior, inferior and lateral tubercle
17.The rib head of a typical costovertebral articulation articulates with how many vertebral
bodies?: 2
18.With which vertebral bodies does rib # 6 articulate?: Rib 6
superior demi costal facet of T6 and inferior demi costal facet of T5
19.The mamillary processes are located on what vertebral structure?: lumbar vertebrae (sup.
articular facet)
For assistance with assignments contact
, Spinal Anatomy Lecture 2023 Practice Questions with Answers
20.What deep spinal muscle has attachments to the mamillary and spinous processes?: the
multifidus muscle
21.What are the primary anatomical characteristics of a typical lumbar verte- bra?: kidney shaped
wider laterally than a-p
short pedicles accessory
process mamillary process
22.What makes L5 different from the other lumbars?: transitional vertebrae widest and
largest of the lumbar
small hatchet shaped spinous process
TPs are attachment sites for iliolumbar ligaments
23.The z-joints of the lumbar spine primarily resist what motion? Describe their orientation.:
Allow for flexion/extension and lateral flexion but limit rotation j shaped
24.The sacral tubercles are located along which sacral crest?: Intermediate sacral crest
25.The lateral and intermediate sacral crests are the homologues to what vertebral structures?:
articular processes
26.How many sacral foramina are there on the posterior side of the sacrum? Anterior side? What
nerves exit these foramina?: 4
4
Spinal nerves S1-S4
27.The linea transversaria are what?: Homolouge of the IVDS
28.The sacral ala is the homologue of what typical vertebral structure?: trans- verse processes
29.What are the 3 types of joints found in the human spine?: z joint, uncover- tebral joint,
costovertebral joints
30.The intervertebral joint is considered what type of joint?: cartilaginous joint amphiarthrosis
(movable)
31.How are the collagen fibers of the fibrocartilaginous lamellae of the disc arranged?: allows for
strong support
can with stand heavy loads
adapted to bearing loads, cartilage is thicker in weight-bearing joints. stands up
to both tension and compression
-qualities intermediate between dense connective tissue and bone.
32.What is the function of the epiphyseal rings?: bony ridge around the superior and inferior bony
endplates
For assistance with assignments contact
1. What is the primary motion of the C0-C1 articulation?: "head nodding", 25 degree in flexion
extension
2. What is the primary motion of the C1-C2 articulation?: shaking "no" head motion;
Y axis rotation at 45 degrees. 50% total
3. Where is the external occipital protuberance located? The clivus is located where?: it's a
prominent tubercle at the posterior portion of the occiput, its palpable: superior to the bifit SP of
C2
the intersection of the basilar process and the sphenoid
4. What is the shape of the superior articular surfaces of C1? The inferior surfaces?: superior
articular surfaces: concave, bean shaped
inferior articular surfaces: circular and slightly convex
5. What structures create the uncovertebral joints? What is an AKA for these joints?: This is when
the uncinate process and Semi-lunar facet meet they form the uncovertebral joint.
6. What are the functions of the uncovertebral joints?: Keeps the discs in place and keeps the
bones from sliding laterally.
7. T or F. The uncovertebral joints predisposed to degeneration.: True
8. Does C2 have semi-lunar facets?: no
9. What structures run through the transverse foramina of C1-C6? What struc- tures run through the
transverse foramina of C7?: vertebral artery c6-c1. Noth- ing runs through c7
10.What are the articular pillars?: The bony portion of cervical vertebrae that lies between the
superior and inferior facets. Located posterior to the transverse process
11.What makes C7 atypical?: no bifid spinous process
12.Which ribs are considered "false ribs"?: 9 and 10
13.Which ribs are "floating ribs"?: 11 and 12
14.Is rib #1 considered typical or atypical?: atypical
15.What are the unique anatomical features of T11?: one full costal facet and no transverse costal
facet
16.What are the unique anatomical features of T12?: one full set of costal facets and no transverse
costal facets. It also has a superior, inferior and lateral tubercle
17.The rib head of a typical costovertebral articulation articulates with how many vertebral
bodies?: 2
18.With which vertebral bodies does rib # 6 articulate?: Rib 6
superior demi costal facet of T6 and inferior demi costal facet of T5
19.The mamillary processes are located on what vertebral structure?: lumbar vertebrae (sup.
articular facet)
For assistance with assignments contact
, Spinal Anatomy Lecture 2023 Practice Questions with Answers
20.What deep spinal muscle has attachments to the mamillary and spinous processes?: the
multifidus muscle
21.What are the primary anatomical characteristics of a typical lumbar verte- bra?: kidney shaped
wider laterally than a-p
short pedicles accessory
process mamillary process
22.What makes L5 different from the other lumbars?: transitional vertebrae widest and
largest of the lumbar
small hatchet shaped spinous process
TPs are attachment sites for iliolumbar ligaments
23.The z-joints of the lumbar spine primarily resist what motion? Describe their orientation.:
Allow for flexion/extension and lateral flexion but limit rotation j shaped
24.The sacral tubercles are located along which sacral crest?: Intermediate sacral crest
25.The lateral and intermediate sacral crests are the homologues to what vertebral structures?:
articular processes
26.How many sacral foramina are there on the posterior side of the sacrum? Anterior side? What
nerves exit these foramina?: 4
4
Spinal nerves S1-S4
27.The linea transversaria are what?: Homolouge of the IVDS
28.The sacral ala is the homologue of what typical vertebral structure?: trans- verse processes
29.What are the 3 types of joints found in the human spine?: z joint, uncover- tebral joint,
costovertebral joints
30.The intervertebral joint is considered what type of joint?: cartilaginous joint amphiarthrosis
(movable)
31.How are the collagen fibers of the fibrocartilaginous lamellae of the disc arranged?: allows for
strong support
can with stand heavy loads
adapted to bearing loads, cartilage is thicker in weight-bearing joints. stands up
to both tension and compression
-qualities intermediate between dense connective tissue and bone.
32.What is the function of the epiphyseal rings?: bony ridge around the superior and inferior bony
endplates
For assistance with assignments contact
