Deck 15: Vertebral Column and Thoracic Cage

Question 1

The lateral projections on cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae are called

A) spinous processes.
B) pedicles.
C) transverse processes.
D) lateral process.
E) transverse foramina.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The thoracic cage and vertebral column are part of the axial skeleton.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

There are five pairs of false ribs in the human skeleton.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The ________ vertebrae have the largest vertebral foramina, while the ________ vertebrae have the largest size.

A) cervical; lumbar
B) thoracic; lumbar
C) lumbar; cervical
D) cervical; thoracic
E) thoracic; cervical

Question 5

The inferior portion of the sternum is called the

A) manubrium.
B) spinous process.
C) xiphoid process.
D) body.
E) facet.

Question 6

What is the most precise description of a false rib?

A) A rib that does not articulate with the vertebral column
B) A rib that never ossifies, but remains as cartilage throughout life
C) A rib that connects directly to the sternum by its own costal cartilage
D) A rib that connects indirectly to the sternum by a costal cartilage, or has no connection to the sternum
E) A rib that has no cartilaginous connection to the sternum

Question 7

The surfaces of ribs that articulate with vertebrae are called

A) processes.
B) notches.
C) tubercles.
D) angles.
E) facets.

Question 8

Which vertebrae contain transverse foramina?

A) Thoracic vertebrae only
B) Lumbar vertebrae only
C) Cervical vertebrae only
D) Cervical and thoracic vertebrae
E) All vertebrae in the vertebral column contain transverse foramina.

Question 9

The four vertebrae of the coccyx fuse into 1 bone by the age of about 18.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT included in the thoracic cage?

A) Ribs
B) Costal cartilages
C) Sternum
D) Thoracic vertebrae
E) All of these are included in the thoracic cage.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a function of the thoracic cage?

A) Support of the upper limbs and pectoral girdle
B) Protection of the thoracic and upper abdominal organs
C) Plays a role in the breathing process
D) Provides certain muscle attachments
E) All of these are functions of the thoracic cage.

Question 12

Before fusion of the sacrum and coccyx, most children have 33 separate bones in the vertebral column.

Question 13

On the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae, which structures are thin plates that form the posterior portion of the vertebral foramen?

A) Laminae
B) Transverse processes
C) Pedicles
D) Spinous processes
E) Facets

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT true of the curvatures of the vertebral column?

A) The thoracic and sacral curvatures are convex on the anterior side and concave on the posterior side.
B) There are four curvatures of the vertebral column.
C) Primary curvatures are formed by the time of birth.
D) The cervical and lumbar curvatures are secondary curvatures.
E) All of these are true of the curvatures of the vertebral column.

Question 15

What type of tissue are intervertebral discs composed of?

A) Elastic connective tissue
B) Fibrocartilage
C) Hyaline cartilage
D) Elastic cartilage
E) Areolar connective tissue

Question 16

The vertebral column extends from the first cervical vertebra (C1) to the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5).

Question 17

The vertebral column of most people contains ________ cervical vertebrae, ________ thoracic vertebrae, and ________ lumbar vertebrae.

A) 5; 7; 12
B) 6; 12; 4
C) 7; 12; 5
D) 5; 11; 5
E) 12; 7; 5

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT true of the anatomy of the sacrum?

A) The inferior end of the sacrum articulates with the coccyx.
B) Nothing passes through the sacral foramina; they are membrane-covered openings.
C) The sacral canal is a continuation of the vertebral canal.
D) The median sacral crest consists of the fused spinous processes of the sacral vertebrae.
E) All of these are true of the anatomy of the sacrum.

Question 19

The two vertebrae that articulate to allow pivoting of the head are atlas and axis.

Question 20

What unique feature do thoracic vertebrae contain?

A) Spinous processes
B) Transverse foramina
C) Vertebral foramina
D) Rib facets
E) Transverse processes