C-Spine Quiz

Question 1

The _________ is formed by the superior and inferior articulating processes.

a.) zygapophyseal joints
b.) lamina
c.) pedicle
d.) facet

Answer 1

a.) zygopophyseal joints

Question 2

Spinal nerves and blood vessels exit the spinal column throught the:

a.) intervetebral foramina
b.) vertebral arch
c.) vertebral notches
d.) vertebral foramen

Answer 2

a.) intervetebral foramina

Question 3

Which term best defines or describes the vertebral body of C1?

a.) a large bony mass
b.) a column of bone supported by an intervetebral disk
c.) the smallest of all vertebral bodies
d.) there is no vertebral body at C1

Answer 3

d.) there is no vertebral body at C1

Question 4

An RPO position of the cervical spine requires a 45 degree oblique of the body with a 15 to 20 degree caudad angle.

a.) true
b.) false

Answer 4

b.) false

Question 5

The innermost portion of the intervetebral disk is called the:

a.) annulus fibrosis
b.) nucleus pulposis
c.) lamina
d.) facet

Answer 5

b.) nucleus pulposis

Question 6

The recommended SID for a dorsal decubitus (cross-table) lateral projection of the cervical spine on a trauma patient is:

a.) 40 inches
b.) 36 inches
c.) 60 to 72 inches
d.) 48 inches

Answer 6

c.) 60 to 72 inches

Question 7

The ___________ on C1 are also known as lateral masses.

a.) bifid spinous processes
b.) transverse foramina
c.) lamina
d.) articular pillars

Answer 7

d.) articular pillars

Question 8

The paired synovial joints between the superior articular surfaces of the atlas and the occipital condyles are the

a.) atlanto-occipital joints
b.) pedicles
c.) lateral masses
d.) dens

Answer 8

a.) atlanto-occipital joints

Question 9

When positioning for an AP cervical spine projection, the patient should be:

a.) erect or supine with MSP centered to the midline of the table
b.) erect or seated with the right side against the image receptor
c.) erect or seated with the body at a 45 degree angle from the PA position
d.) erect or seated with left side against the image receptor

Answer 9

a.) erect or supine with MSP centered to the midline of the table

Question 10

The intervetebral foramina of the cervical spine open:

a.) 45 degrees anteriorly
b.) 70 degrees anteriorly
c.) laterally
d.) 45 degrees anteriorly and 15 degrees inferiorly

Answer 10

d.) 45 degrees anteriorly and 15 degrees inferiorly

Question 11

Rotation of the head takes place between which of the following cervical vertebra?

a.) C2 and C3
b.) C6 and C7
c.) C1 and C2
d.) C4 and C5

Answer 11

c.) C1 and C2

Question 12

Another name for C2 is:

a.) dens
b.) axis
c.) atlas
d.) pillar

Answer 12

b.) axis

Question 13

The natural curve of the cervical spine is classified as:

a.) lordotic
b.) kyphotic
c.) scoliotic

Answer 13

a.) lordotic

Question 14

Which intervetebral foramina are demonstrated on the PA axial oblique projection of the cervical spine?

a.) those fartherest from the IR
b.) those closest to the IR
c.) both sides are equally demonstrated
d.) the inferior side fartherest from the IR

Answer 14

b.) those closest to the IR

Question 15

The cervical intervetebral foramina form a ________________ degree angle to the MSP.

a.) 75
b.) 45
c.) 15
d.) 90

Answer 15

b.) 45

Question 16

Which projection will demonstrate the zygapophyseal joints?

a.) lateral
b.) PA axial obliques
c.) AP axial
d.) AP axial obliques

Answer 16

a.) lateral

Question 17

What is the name of the process that projects upward from the body of the second cervical vertebra?

a.) spinous process
b.) superior articulating process
c.) transverse process
d.) odontoid process

Answer 17

d.) odontoid process