Vertebral column: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Vertebral column

Sample item

What type of vertebrae articulate with ribs?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Thoracic vertebrae

Thoracic vertebrae have costal facets for articulation with ribs, a feature absent from typical cervical, lumbar, and sacral vertebrae.

Option by option

  • A. Cervical vertebrae

    Cervical vertebrae are characterized by transverse foramina.

  • B. Thoracic vertebrae (correct)

    Correct: thoracic vertebrae possess costal facets for ribs.

  • C. Sacral vertebrae

    Sacral vertebrae fuse to form the sacrum.

  • D. Lumbar vertebrae

    Lumbar vertebrae have large bodies for weight bearing but no rib facets.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is B, Thoracic vertebrae. Thoracic vertebrae have costal facets for articulation with ribs, a feature absent from typical cervical, lumbar, and sacral vertebrae.

Why is "Cervical vertebrae" not the answer?

Cervical vertebrae are characterized by transverse foramina.

Why is "Sacral vertebrae" not the answer?

Sacral vertebrae fuse to form the sacrum.

Why is "Lumbar vertebrae" not the answer?

Lumbar vertebrae have large bodies for weight bearing but no rib facets.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vertebral column in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct: thoracic vertebrae possess costal facets for ribs.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Vertebral column?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.