Total number of cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae comes to:

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2023

Explanation

The question asks for the sum of vertebrae in three specific regions of the spine: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar.
There are 7 cervical vertebrae (in the neck).
There are 12 thoracic vertebrae (in the upper/mid-back, articulating with ribs).
There are 5 lumbar vertebrae (in the lower back).
The total is calculated by adding these numbers: 7 + 12 + 5 = 24.

Option B: This is the total number of vertebrae in the entire spinal column before the sacral and coccygeal bones fuse.
Option C: This number does not correspond to any standard anatomical grouping of vertebrae.
Option D: This number is an incorrect calculation and does not represent a standard vertebral count.

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.
Knowledge of vertebral anatomy is crucial for nurses, especially when assisting with or preparing patients for procedures like lumbar punctures (spinal taps) or epidural anesthesia, which are performed at specific lumbar interspaces (e.g., L3-L4 or L4-L5).
Accurate assessment of spinal injuries requires identifying the level of the vertebra involved (e.g., a C4 injury has different implications than an L2 injury).
What if the question asked for the total number of vertebrae in an adult spine? The answer would be 26, counting the 24 movable vertebrae plus the sacrum (1 fused bone) and the coccyx (1 fused bone).

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core of the question: It's a factual recall question asking for a specific anatomical count.
Break down the question into its components: The question requires the sum of three distinct groups of vertebrae (cervical, thoracic, lumbar).
Recall the number of vertebrae in each specified region: Cervical = 7, Thoracic = 12, Lumbar = 5.
Perform the simple addition: 7 + 12 + 5 = 24.
Compare the result with the given options to find the correct answer.
Mentally review the common distractors, such as the total number of vertebrae (33) before fusion, to confirm your choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Anatomy of the Vertebral Column
Stem keywords: cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, total number
Lead-in keywords: Total number

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E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 288-290

E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 2 Part 3 p. 51-53

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2023

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