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OMM Review - Savarese - COMLEX / COMSAE
Exam Questions and Answers 100% Pass
Which ligament runs vertically along the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies? - ANSWER ✔✔-
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (Begins to narrow at lumbar region)
Why is the lumbar spine more susceptible to disc herniations? - ANSWER ✔✔-Narrowing of Posterior
Longitudinal Ligament
In the thoracic and lumbar regions, the nerve root exits where in relation to the corresponding vertebrae?
- ANSWER ✔✔-Below
Where does the spinal cord usually terminate? - ANSWER ✔✔-L1-L2
Due to the termination of the spinal cord, where do the lumbar nerve roots exit in relation to the
intervertebral disc? - ANSWER ✔✔-Above
A pelvic side shift usually indicates what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Iliopsoas dysfunction
A positive Thomas test indicates what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Iliopsoas dysfunction
What landmark is used to locate the L4-L5 intervertebral disc? - ANSWER ✔✔-Iliac Crest
What is the most common anomaly in the lumbar region? - ANSWER ✔✔-Zygopophyseal Facet
Trophism (predisposes to early degenerative changes)
What is it called when one or both transverse processes of L5 articulate with the sacrum? - ANSWER ✔✔-
Sacralization
Created by Grace Amelia © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
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What is it called when there is a failure of S1 to fuse with the other sacral segments? - ANSWER ✔✔-
Lumbarization
A defect in the closure of the lamina of the vertebral segment is called: - ANSWER ✔✔-Spina Bifida
No herniation through the defect, course patch of hair over site, rare neurologic deficits: - ANSWER ✔✔-
Spina Bifida Occulta
Herniation of meninges through defect: - ANSWER ✔✔-Spina Bifida Meningocele
Herniation of meninges and nerve roots through defect, associated with neurological deficits: - ANSWER
✔✔-Spina Bifida meningomyelocele
What is the major motion of the lumbar vertebrae? - ANSWER ✔✔-Flexion and Extension
Sidebending of L5 will induce what in the sacrum? - ANSWER ✔✔-Oblique Axis on the same side
Rotaion of L5 will induce what in the sacrum? - ANSWER ✔✔-Rotation to opposite side
What is another name for the lumbosacral angle? - ANSWER ✔✔-Ferguson's Angle
What is the intersection of a horizontal line and the line of inclination of the sacrum called? - ANSWER
✔✔-Lumbosacral Angle (Ferguson's Angle)
What is a normal angle for the Lumbosacral (Ferguson's angle)? - ANSWER ✔✔-25-35 degrees
Where do 98% of herniations occur? - ANSWER ✔✔-L4-L5 or L5-S1
A herniated lumbar disc will exert pressure on the nerve root of the vertebrae (above or below)? -
ANSWER ✔✔-Below
Sharp, burning or shooting pain radiating down the leg which is worse with flexion is indicative of what?
- ANSWER ✔✔-Herniated disc
Created by Grace Amelia © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
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Increased pain when standing or wlking indicates what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Psoas Syndrome
What is the gold standard for the diagnosis of herniated disc? - ANSWER ✔✔-MRI
What is indicated if a patient has ipsilateral psoas syndrome and contralateral piriformis spasm? -
ANSWER ✔✔-Sciatica
A flexion contracture of the iliopsoas is often associated with what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Non-neutral
dysfunction of L1 or L2
Lower back pain that is worsened by extension (standing, walking or lying supine) is most likely what? -
ANSWER ✔✔-Spinal Stenosis
Anterior displacement of one vertebrae in relation to the one below is called: - ANSWER ✔✔-
Spondylolisthesis
Fatigue fractures in the pars interarticularis is a common cause of what? - ANSWER ✔✔-
Spondylolisthesis
A defect of the pars interarticularis without anterior displacement of the vertebral body is called: -
ANSWER ✔✔-Spondylolysis
Oblique radiographs showing a Scotty Dog is indicative of what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Spondylolysis
What should you look for on radiographs if suspicious of Spondylolysis? - ANSWER ✔✔-Scotty Dog
Forward displacement of one vertebrae on another seen on lateral films is indicative of what? - ANSWER
✔✔-Spondylolisthesis
Degenerative changes within the intervertebral disc and ankylosing of adjacent vertebral bodies is called
what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Spondylosis
Created by Grace Amelia © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
, 4|Page
Saddle Anesthesia, decreased deep tendon reflexes, decreased rectal sphincter tone, loss of bowel and
bladder control are indicative of what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Cauda Equina Syndrome (Surgical Emergency)
What is the cause of Cauda Equina Syndrome? - ANSWER ✔✔-Massive Central Disc Herniation
Grade 1 Spondylolisthesis is what percentage of displacement? - ANSWER ✔✔-0-25%
Grade 2 Spondylolisthesis is what percentage of displacement? - ANSWER ✔✔-25-50%
Grade 3 Spondylolisthesis is what percentage of displacement? - ANSWER ✔✔-50-75%
Grade 4 Spondylolisthesis is what percentage of displacement? - ANSWER ✔✔->75%
Appendicitis, Sigmoid Colon dysfunction, ureteral calculi, ureter dysfunction, metastatic carcinoma of the
prostate and salpingitis are all possible causes of what somatic dysfunction? - ANSWER ✔✔-Psoas
Syndrome
The point at which a patient can actively move any given joint is called: - ANSWER ✔✔-Physiologic
Barrier
The point at which a physician can passively move any given point (beyond would cause ligament,
tendon or skeletal injury): - ANSWER ✔✔-Anatomic Barrier
The point caused by somatic dysfunction that prevents motion to the physiologic barrier: - ANSWER ✔✔-
Restrictive Barrier
Another name for restrictive barrier is: - ANSWER ✔✔-Pathologic Barrier
What is the only subjective component of TART? - ANSWER ✔✔-Tenderness
The painful sensation produced by palpation of tissues where it should not occur is called: - ANSWER
✔✔-Tenderness
Created by Grace Amelia © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
OMM Review - Savarese - COMLEX / COMSAE
Exam Questions and Answers 100% Pass
Which ligament runs vertically along the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies? - ANSWER ✔✔-
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (Begins to narrow at lumbar region)
Why is the lumbar spine more susceptible to disc herniations? - ANSWER ✔✔-Narrowing of Posterior
Longitudinal Ligament
In the thoracic and lumbar regions, the nerve root exits where in relation to the corresponding vertebrae?
- ANSWER ✔✔-Below
Where does the spinal cord usually terminate? - ANSWER ✔✔-L1-L2
Due to the termination of the spinal cord, where do the lumbar nerve roots exit in relation to the
intervertebral disc? - ANSWER ✔✔-Above
A pelvic side shift usually indicates what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Iliopsoas dysfunction
A positive Thomas test indicates what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Iliopsoas dysfunction
What landmark is used to locate the L4-L5 intervertebral disc? - ANSWER ✔✔-Iliac Crest
What is the most common anomaly in the lumbar region? - ANSWER ✔✔-Zygopophyseal Facet
Trophism (predisposes to early degenerative changes)
What is it called when one or both transverse processes of L5 articulate with the sacrum? - ANSWER ✔✔-
Sacralization
Created by Grace Amelia © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
,2|Page
What is it called when there is a failure of S1 to fuse with the other sacral segments? - ANSWER ✔✔-
Lumbarization
A defect in the closure of the lamina of the vertebral segment is called: - ANSWER ✔✔-Spina Bifida
No herniation through the defect, course patch of hair over site, rare neurologic deficits: - ANSWER ✔✔-
Spina Bifida Occulta
Herniation of meninges through defect: - ANSWER ✔✔-Spina Bifida Meningocele
Herniation of meninges and nerve roots through defect, associated with neurological deficits: - ANSWER
✔✔-Spina Bifida meningomyelocele
What is the major motion of the lumbar vertebrae? - ANSWER ✔✔-Flexion and Extension
Sidebending of L5 will induce what in the sacrum? - ANSWER ✔✔-Oblique Axis on the same side
Rotaion of L5 will induce what in the sacrum? - ANSWER ✔✔-Rotation to opposite side
What is another name for the lumbosacral angle? - ANSWER ✔✔-Ferguson's Angle
What is the intersection of a horizontal line and the line of inclination of the sacrum called? - ANSWER
✔✔-Lumbosacral Angle (Ferguson's Angle)
What is a normal angle for the Lumbosacral (Ferguson's angle)? - ANSWER ✔✔-25-35 degrees
Where do 98% of herniations occur? - ANSWER ✔✔-L4-L5 or L5-S1
A herniated lumbar disc will exert pressure on the nerve root of the vertebrae (above or below)? -
ANSWER ✔✔-Below
Sharp, burning or shooting pain radiating down the leg which is worse with flexion is indicative of what?
- ANSWER ✔✔-Herniated disc
Created by Grace Amelia © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
,3|Page
Increased pain when standing or wlking indicates what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Psoas Syndrome
What is the gold standard for the diagnosis of herniated disc? - ANSWER ✔✔-MRI
What is indicated if a patient has ipsilateral psoas syndrome and contralateral piriformis spasm? -
ANSWER ✔✔-Sciatica
A flexion contracture of the iliopsoas is often associated with what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Non-neutral
dysfunction of L1 or L2
Lower back pain that is worsened by extension (standing, walking or lying supine) is most likely what? -
ANSWER ✔✔-Spinal Stenosis
Anterior displacement of one vertebrae in relation to the one below is called: - ANSWER ✔✔-
Spondylolisthesis
Fatigue fractures in the pars interarticularis is a common cause of what? - ANSWER ✔✔-
Spondylolisthesis
A defect of the pars interarticularis without anterior displacement of the vertebral body is called: -
ANSWER ✔✔-Spondylolysis
Oblique radiographs showing a Scotty Dog is indicative of what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Spondylolysis
What should you look for on radiographs if suspicious of Spondylolysis? - ANSWER ✔✔-Scotty Dog
Forward displacement of one vertebrae on another seen on lateral films is indicative of what? - ANSWER
✔✔-Spondylolisthesis
Degenerative changes within the intervertebral disc and ankylosing of adjacent vertebral bodies is called
what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Spondylosis
Created by Grace Amelia © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
, 4|Page
Saddle Anesthesia, decreased deep tendon reflexes, decreased rectal sphincter tone, loss of bowel and
bladder control are indicative of what? - ANSWER ✔✔-Cauda Equina Syndrome (Surgical Emergency)
What is the cause of Cauda Equina Syndrome? - ANSWER ✔✔-Massive Central Disc Herniation
Grade 1 Spondylolisthesis is what percentage of displacement? - ANSWER ✔✔-0-25%
Grade 2 Spondylolisthesis is what percentage of displacement? - ANSWER ✔✔-25-50%
Grade 3 Spondylolisthesis is what percentage of displacement? - ANSWER ✔✔-50-75%
Grade 4 Spondylolisthesis is what percentage of displacement? - ANSWER ✔✔->75%
Appendicitis, Sigmoid Colon dysfunction, ureteral calculi, ureter dysfunction, metastatic carcinoma of the
prostate and salpingitis are all possible causes of what somatic dysfunction? - ANSWER ✔✔-Psoas
Syndrome
The point at which a patient can actively move any given joint is called: - ANSWER ✔✔-Physiologic
Barrier
The point at which a physician can passively move any given point (beyond would cause ligament,
tendon or skeletal injury): - ANSWER ✔✔-Anatomic Barrier
The point caused by somatic dysfunction that prevents motion to the physiologic barrier: - ANSWER ✔✔-
Restrictive Barrier
Another name for restrictive barrier is: - ANSWER ✔✔-Pathologic Barrier
What is the only subjective component of TART? - ANSWER ✔✔-Tenderness
The painful sensation produced by palpation of tissues where it should not occur is called: - ANSWER
✔✔-Tenderness
Created by Grace Amelia © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
