Anatomy · USMLE Step 1

USMLE Anatomy: Back and Spine

Vertebral column anatomy, spinal ligaments, and intervertebral disc relationships, one fact per card.

34 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.

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How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5
How many sacral vertebrae fuse to form the sacrum?
5
How many coccygeal vertebrae fuse to form the coccyx?
4
What type of curvature does the cervical spine have?
Lordotic (concave posteriorly)
What type of curvature does the thoracic spine have?
Kyphotic (convex posteriorly)
What type of curvature does the lumbar spine have?
Lordotic
What type of curvature does the sacral region have?
Kyphotic
What is the common name for the C1 vertebra?
The atlas
What is the common name for the C2 vertebra?
The axis
What structure does the atlas (C1) lack compared to typical vertebrae?
A body and a spinous process
What bony projection unique to the axis (C2) allows rotation of the head?
The dens (odontoid process)
What does the dens of the axis articulate with?
The anterior arch of the atlas
What bony opening in the transverse processes distinguishes cervical vertebrae from other regions?
The foramen transversarium

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