Review Questions on Vertebral Column and Muscles of Back

Multiple Choice ‑ Select the one best answer to complete the statement or answer the question. Only one answer is acceptable.

1. ___ Pregnant women can show lordosis of the spinal column to counter the added weight and shift in center of gravity. A lordosis is a spinal curvature which is:

A. concave anteriorly in the thoracic region

B. concave posteriorly in the lumbar region

C. concave posteriorly in the cervical region

D. concave laterally opposite the side of handedness (right or left)

E. concave anteriorly in the lumbar region

2.___ Which of the following vertebrae has articular processes oriented in a coronal plane, permitting some rotation but no flexion-extension movements between the vertebrae?

A. Cervical

B. Thoracic

C. Lumbar

D. Sacral

E. Coccygeal

3.___ The ligamentum nuchae in the cervical region represents a specialization and thickening of the

A. Anterior longitudinal ligament

B. Posterior longitudinal ligament

C. Ligamenta flava

D. Supraspinous and interspinous ligaments

E. Intertransverse ligaments

4.___ In herniation of the nucleus pulposus (slipped disc), displacement often occurs in a postero-lateral direction leading to painful nerve compression. This occurs because the _____ is a relatively narrow band.

A. Anterior longitudinal ligament

B. Ligamenta flava

C. Interspinous ligament

D. Posterior longitudinal ligament

E. Supraspinous ligament

5.___ The triangle of auscultation is bounded by the:

A. trapezius, latissimus dorsi and teres major

B. trapezius, rhomboideus major and latissimus dorsi

C. latissimus dorsi, rhomboideus minor and trapezius

D. latissimus dorsi, teres major and rhomboideus major

E. latissimus dorsi, rhomboideus major and rhomboideus minor

6.___ A ‘hemivertebra’ occurs when half of a vertebra fails to develop. This can result in painful nerve compression and curvature of the spinal column that is termed

A. Lordosis

B. Scoliosis

C. Kyphosis

D. Exaggerated primary curvature

E. Exaggerated secondary curvature in the lumbar region

7.___ The erector spinae muscle consists of a group of muscles that are arranged in parallel. The portion of the erector spinae that takes origin from transverse process of vertebrae and inserts upon transverse processes is termed

A. Splenius

B. Spinalis

C. Longissimus

D. Iliocostalis

E. Transversospinalis

8.___ The scapula is stabilized by muscles of the back that serve to link it to the vertebral column. All of the following muscles of the back insert upon the scapula (at least in part) EXCEPT the

A. Trapezius

B. Levator Scapulae

C. Latissimus Dorsi

D. Rhomboid Major

E. Rhomboid Minor

9.___ The part of the Transversospinalis muscle extends across 1 or 2 vertebrae is termed

A. Semispinalis

B. Multifidus

C. Rotatores

D. Splenius

E. Longissimus

10.___ Movements of the ribs occur in respiration. A muscle of the back that acts to lower ribs in expiration is the

A. Levatores costarum

B. Serratus posterior superior

C. Serratus posterior inferior

D. Rhomboideus minor

E. Levator scapulae

Answers

1. B

2. B

3. D

4. D

5. B

6. B

7. C

8. C

9. C

10. C