mcq spine

1. What anatomic relationships are useful in determining the level of a thoracic lesion on a thoracic spine radiograph? a. The first rib attaches to the T1 vertebral body. b. The second rib attaches to the T3 vertebral body c. The third rib articulates with both the third and fourth vertebral bodies d. The third rib articulates overlies the T3–T4 disc space e. The tenth, eleventh, and twelfth ribs articulate overlie a disc space 2. What is meant by typical and atypical cervical vertebrae? a. C1 (atlas), C2 (axis), are defined as typical cervical vertebrae because they share common structural characteristics b. C7 (vertebra prominens) is defined as typical cervical vertebrae because they share common structural characteristics c. C3, C4, C5, are defined as typical cervical vertebrae because they share common structural characteristics d. C3, C4, C5, and C6 are defined as typical cervical vertebrae because they share common structural characteristics e. C1 (atlas), C2 (axis), and C7 (vertebra prominens) possess unique structural and functional features and are therefore termed atypical cervical vertebrae 3. What are the distinguishing features of C7 (vertebra prominens)? a. The C7 lateral mass is the thickest lateral mass in the cervical spine b. The C7 transverse process is large in size and possesses only a posterior tubercle c. The superior articular process of C7 is oriented in a relatively perpendicular direction (like a thoracic facet joint) d. The C7 transverse process is small in size and possesses only a posterior tubercle e. Its foramen transversarium contains vertebral veins and vertebral artery 4. How many spinal nerves exit from the spinal cord? a. 30 pairs of spinal nerves b. 31 pairs of spinal nerves c. 29 pairs of spinal nerves d. 28 pairs of spinal nerves e. 27 pairs of spinal nerves 5. Where is the bifurcation of the aorta and vena cava located? a. Over the L3–L5 disc b. Over the L3–L4 disc c. Over the L4–L5 disc d. L3 vertebral body e. L4 vertebral body 6. What is normal range of motion of the cervical spine? a. Flexion 60° b. Flexion 45° c. Extension 45° d. Right/left bending 55° e. Right/left rotation 60°

7. What pathologies should not be considered in the differential diagnosis of low back pain? a. Systemic disorders with referred pain b. Hematologic disorders c. Metabolic disorders d. Rheumatologic disorders e. Deformity 8. The contraindications to steroid administration of acute spinal cord injury, exclude? a. Pregnancy b. Uncontrolled diabetes c. Age < 13 years d. Gunshot wounds e. Patients presenting less than 8 hours following injury 9. What are the major advantages of using plain radiographs to assess spinal disorders? a. High sensitivity and specificity in identifying symptomatic spinal pathology b. Can diagnose early-stage tumor or infection because significant bone destruction c. Rapid assessment of a specific spinal region d. Expensive and not readily available e. Can visualize neural structures and other soft tissue lesions 10.What are the major disadvantages of using CT to assess spinal disorders? a. CT is not the best test for assessment of bone anatomy b. Claustrophobic patients may have difficulty with the test c. Significant pathology can be missed d. Many implanted devices are contraindications to CT e. CT does not define osseous anatomy as well as MRI