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Example Question #482 : Nclex
Which of the following is the most superior vertebra of the spine?
The atlas
The axis
The coccyx
The dens
The atlas
The most superior vertebra of the spine is the atlas, or C1. This bone sits on the axis, or C2, over a bony process called the dens. The coccyx, or "tailbone," is part of the sacrum.
Example Question #1 : Musculoskeletal System And Anatomy
How many cervical vertebrae are in the human spine?
12
7
5
6
7
There are 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and 5 lumbar vertebrae. The mnemonic for this is "breakfast at 7, lunch at 12, dinner at 5."
Example Question #1 : Bone Identification
What bone forms the most posterior and inferior part of the skull?
The sphenoid bone
The maxilla
The ethmoid bone
The occiput
The occiput
The occiput is the inferior and posterior bone of the skull. It wraps under the bottom of the skull and forms the base on which the head articulates with the spine. The ethmoid bone and sphenoid bone are housed primarily within the skull, and the maxilla forms the upper jaw and part of the orbit.
Example Question #1 : Musculoskeletal System And Anatomy
What is the name for the bony protuberance(s) at which the occipital bone articulates with the atlas (C1)?
The external occipital crest
The inion
The occipital condyles
The external occipital protuberance
The occipital condyles
The bony protuberance(s) at which the occipital bone articulates with the atlas (C1) are the occipital condyles. The external occipital protuberance, external occipital crest, and inion are all part of the occipital bone and serve as the attachment points for various muscles and ligaments.
Example Question #5 : Musculoskeletal System And Anatomy
What suture joins the frontal bone to the parietal bones?
The sagittal suture
The frontal suture
The coronal suture
The parietal suture
The coronal suture
The suture that joins the frontal bone to the parietal bones is the coronal suture. The sagittal suture joins the two parietal bones together along the sagittal plane of the skull. There are no sutures named after the frontal or parietal bones themselves.
Example Question #1 : Musculoskeletal System And Anatomy
A patient presents to the ER complaining of "pain in his heart." When the nurse asks him to point to the area that he feels the pain, he places his finger on the bony protuberance just below his rib cage. Seeing this, the nurse has reason to suspect that his pain may be gastrointestinal or musculoskeletal in origin as well as cardiac. What bony protuberance is this patient likely touching?
The costal cartilage
The body of the sternum
The manubrium
The xiphoid process
The xiphoid process
The costal cartilage of the ribcage is joined to the sternum, which is made up of three bony structures: the most superior is the manubrium, which articulates not just with the costal cartilage of the first rib but also with the clavicles. The body of the sternum is inferior to the manubrium, and articulates with the second through fifth ribs. The xiphoid process is a small protuberance just below the body of the sternum, at the point where the bottom of the ribcage meets the sternum. It is an attachment point for several muscles, including the diaphragm, the rectus abdominis, and the transverse abdominis. This is a common location for referred pain from gallbladder disease, GERD, or pain due to musculoskeletal injury or irritation.
Example Question #1 : Musculoskeletal System And Anatomy
Which of the following is the name of the bony landmark that forms the ridge of the brow?
The superciliary arch
The orbit
The coronoid process
The glabella
The superciliary arch
The bony ridge of the brow is formed by the superciliary processes (superciliary means super, or above, cilia, the lens of the eye). The orbit refers to the bony socket in which the eye sits. The glabella is the small depression between the eyebrows where the two superciliary arches meet. The coronoid process is part of the mandible, or jawbone, and unrelated to the brow.
Example Question #1 : Bone Identification
What structures of the skull form the cheek bones?
The mental protuberance
The styloid processes
The zygomatic arches
The pterion
The zygomatic arches
The cheek bones are formed by the zygomatic arches, which are part of the temporal bones of the face. The mental protuberance forms the chin, the styloid processes are just under the ears and serve as an attachment point for several muscles of the mouth and throat, and the pterion is the suture where the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones come together.
Example Question #1 : Bone Identification
Which of the following is the name for the foramen that forms the ear canal?
The external auditory meatus
The internal auditory meatus
The foramen rotundum
The foramen ovale
The external auditory meatus
The foramen that forms the ear canal is called the external auditory meatus. This travels through the temporal bone and joins the inner ear to the outer ear. The internal auditory meatus passes through the temporal bone between the posterior cranial fossa and the inner ear, and is the track through which the vestibulocochlear nerve, the facial nerve, and the labyrinthine artery travel from the inner ear toward the CNS. The foramen ovale and foramen rotundum are both openings in the sphenoid bones and have to connection to the ear.
Example Question #491 : Nclex
What is the name of the large opening through which the spinal cord exits the skull?
The foramen spinosum
The foramen magnum
The jugular foramen
The foramen cecum
The foramen magnum
The large opening in the occipital bone at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord exits the skull is called the foramen magnum, or "large hole." It is by far the largest foramen of the skull, and generally measures 1.5-3.5 centimeters in the normal adult. The foramen spinosum, foramen cecum, and jugular foramen are all smaller foramen of the skull that transmit various blood vessels and cranial nerves.
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