The number of cervical vertebrae in a normal adult is:

Appeared in: AIIMS Bhopal NO - 2018 (Shift-1st)

Explanation

The human vertebral column contains 7 cervical vertebrae, designated C1 to C7, which form the bony framework of the neck.
These are the smallest of the movable vertebrae and provide support and mobility for the head.
The first two cervical vertebrae, C1 (Atlas) and C2 (Axis), are highly specialized to allow for a wide range of head movements, such as nodding and rotation.

Option A: The number 11 does not correspond to the count of vertebrae in any of the five regions of the human spine.
Option C: The number 9 represents the total number of fused vertebrae in the sacrum (5) and coccyx (4) combined, not the number of cervical vertebrae.
Option D: The number 5 corresponds to the number of vertebrae in the lumbar region (lower back) and the number of fused vertebrae in the sacral region.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomy of the Vertebral Column as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The cervical spine is the most mobile and one of the most vulnerable parts of the spinal column. In any trauma case, a nurse's priority is to ensure cervical spine (C-spine) immobilization until an injury is ruled out to prevent devastating spinal cord damage.
Fractures of the C1 (Atlas) or C2 (Axis) vertebrae are particularly dangerous due to their proximity to the brainstem and the critical blood vessels that pass through them.
What if? If a patient has Klippel-Feil syndrome, they may have a congenital fusion of two or more cervical vertebrae. This reduces neck mobility and places extra stress on the adjacent, unfused vertebrae, increasing the risk of premature arthritis or injury at those levels.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key anatomical term in the question: 'cervical vertebrae'.
This is a factual recall question that requires knowledge of the basic structure of the human skeleton.
Mentally review the five sections of the vertebral column: Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacral, and Coccygeal.
Recall the number of vertebrae associated with each section. A helpful mnemonic is to think of mealtimes: Breakfast (Cereal) at 7 AM, Tea at 12 PM, and Lunch at 5 PM.
Match the number for the cervical region (7) with the given options.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 289-291

E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 2 Part 3 p. 50-52

E6 Anatomy Grays 43e Vol 2 Part 2 p. 12-14

Practise the full AIIMS Bhopal NO - 2018 (Shift-1st)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.