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 distinctive feature identifies the atlas vertebra (C1)?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. It lacks a vertebral body

The atlas lacks a conventional body and supports the skull through its superior articular facets; the dens belongs to the axis (C2) and acts as a pivot for head rotation.

Option by option

  • A. It has the longest spinous process

    C7 rather than C1 has the most prominent palpable spinous process.

  • B. It has a dens projecting upward

    The dens is a feature of C2, the axis.

  • C. It articulates directly with the sacrum

    The sacrum articulates with the lumbar spine, not C1.

  • D. It lacks a vertebral body (correct)

    Correct: C1 lacks a typical vertebral body.

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.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, It lacks a vertebral body. The atlas lacks a conventional body and supports the skull through its superior articular facets; the dens belongs to the axis (C2) and acts as a pivot for head rotation.

Why is "It has the longest spinous process" not the answer?

C7 rather than C1 has the most prominent palpable spinous process.

Why is "It has a dens projecting upward" not the answer?

The dens is a feature of C2, the axis.

Why is "It articulates directly with the sacrum" not the answer?

The sacrum articulates with the lumbar spine, not C1.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vertebral column in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct: C1 lacks a typical vertebral body.

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.