Embryology: vertebral column development: 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.

Try it

Anatomy · Embryology: vertebral column development

Sample item

During development of the vertebral column, each vertebral body is formed from which parts of the sclerotomes?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Caudal half of one sclerotome and cranial half of the next

Resegmentation of the sclerotomes shifts the boundaries so that each vertebra is formed from the caudal half of one sclerotome and the cranial half of the next. The intersegmental arteries then pass across the vertebral bodies, and the myotomes bridge the intervertebral discs so that they can move the column.

Option by option

  • A. Cranial half of one sclerotome only

    A single cranial half is not enough to form a vertebral body.

  • B. Caudal half of one sclerotome only

    A single caudal half is not enough to form a vertebral body.

  • C. Caudal half of one sclerotome and cranial half of the next (correct)

    Correct. Resegmentation joins adjacent sclerotome halves to make one vertebra.

  • D. The whole of a single sclerotome

    A whole sclerotome would not allow the myotomes to bridge each disc.

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 C, Caudal half of one sclerotome and cranial half of the next. Resegmentation of the sclerotomes shifts the boundaries so that each vertebra is formed from the caudal half of one sclerotome and the cranial half of the next.

Why is "Cranial half of one sclerotome only" not the answer?

A single cranial half is not enough to form a vertebral body.

Why is "Caudal half of one sclerotome only" not the answer?

A single caudal half is not enough to form a vertebral body.

Why is "The whole of a single sclerotome" not the answer?

A whole sclerotome would not allow the myotomes to bridge each disc.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Embryology: vertebral column development in Anatomy. The intersegmental arteries then pass across the vertebral bodies, and the myotomes bridge the intervertebral discs so that they can move the column.

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 Embryology: vertebral column development?

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.