This vertebral column quiz will test you over the anatomy and characteristics of the vertebral column, which is also called the spinal column, backbone, or the spine. The vertebral column is part of the axial skeleton.
Prior to taking this quiz, you might want to review our vertebral column anatomy notes, or watch our vertebral column anatomy video on YouTube.
Vertebral Column Anatomy Quiz
This quiz will test you on vertebral column anatomy.(NOTE: When you hit submit, it will refresh this same page. Scroll down to see your results.)
Vertebral Column Quiz for Anatomy
1. How many cervical vertebrae are there?
A. 12
B. 5
C. 7
D. 26
The answer is C, 7. These vertebrae make up the cervical spine in the neck, and they are numbered C1-C7.
2. The bones of the vertebral column are classified as which type of bone?
A. Flat
B. Irregular
C. Long
D. Short
The answer is B, irregular. Anatomists classify these bones as irregular bones.
3. How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
A. 12
B. 7
C. 5
D. 26
The answer is A, 12. Remember, these articulate with the 12 pairs of ribs, so that will help you remember the number.
4. How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
A. 12
B. 7
C. 5
D. 8
The answer is C, 5. There are 5 lumbar vertebrae, which are denser than the preceding vertebrae.
5. How many bones are there in the vertebral column?
A. 26 in adulthood
B. 33 as an infant
C. 28 total
D. Both A and B
The answer is D, both A and B are correct. There are 33 bones in the vertebral column of an infant, but some of these bones later fuse to form the coccyx and sacrum, leaving an average adult with 26 bones in the vertebral column.
6. Which statement is true?
A. The sacrum consists of 5 fused vertebrae.
B. The coccyx consists of 3-5 fused vertebrae.
C. There are five main regions in the vertebral column
D. All of the above
The answer is D, all of the above statements are true.
7. Which vertebral regions feature primary (kyphotic) curves?
A. The thoracic and sacral curvatures
B. The cervical and lumbar curvatures
The answer is A, thoracic and sacral curvatures. These curves are convex, curving outward toward the backside of the body.
8. Which vertebral regions feature secondary (lordotic) curves?
A. The thoracic and sacral curvatures
B. the cervical and lumbar curvatures
The answer is B, the cervical and lumbar curvatures. These curve inwardly toward the front of the body.
9. Which part of the intervertebral disc contains layers of rings?
A. Nucleus pulposis
B. Annulus fibrosus
The answer is B, annulus fibrosus. This is the fibrous ring part that surround the gel-like nucleus, which is called the nucleus pulposis.
10. All of the vertebrae are cushioned by intervertebral discs.
A. True
B. False
The answer is B, false. While intervertebral discs do cushion the vertebrae, not all vertebrae have them. There is no intervertebral disc between C1 and C2, or between the sacrum and coccyx bones.
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