Which of the following vertebrae is made up of 7 bones?

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The human vertebral column, or spine, is divided into five distinct regions.
The cervical region, which constitutes the neck, is composed of 7 vertebrae, designated C1 through C7.
These vertebrae are the smallest in the spine and are responsible for supporting the head and allowing for its wide range of motion.

Option B: Carpals are the eight small bones that form the wrist joint (carpus). They are part of the appendicular skeleton, not the axial skeleton's vertebral column.
Option C: The cranial bones are the eight bones that encase the brain. They form the superior and posterior parts of the skull and are not part of the vertebral column.
Option D: The lumbar region of the spine consists of 5 large vertebrae (L1-L5), not 7. The term 'Lumber' in the option is a common misspelling of 'Lumbar'.

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 the vertebral column's structure is fundamental for nurses in assessing spinal alignment, localizing pain, and understanding the implications of spinal cord injuries.
A key nursing mnemonic is 'C3, 4, 5 keeps the diaphragm alive,' referring to the phrenic nerve roots that innervate the diaphragm. Injuries at or above this level can cause respiratory arrest, necessitating vigilant respiratory monitoring.
What if? If a patient sustains an injury at the T4 level (thoracic spine), the nurse would anticipate potential paralysis and sensory loss from the nipple line down (paraplegia), but diaphragmatic breathing would remain intact as the phrenic nerve is unaffected.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on fundamental anatomy.
First, identify the key terms in the question: 'vertebrae' and '7 bones'.
Evaluate each option against this requirement.
Eliminate options that are not part of the vertebral column. 'Carpals' (wrist bones) and 'Cranial bone' (skull bones) can be immediately discarded.
Compare the remaining vertebral groups. Recall or deduce the number of vertebrae in each: Cervical (7) and Lumbar (5).
Select the option that matches the number '7' specified in the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QBlIR0jHNCtrH5d-hTJ9ic

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 288-290

E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 2 Part 3 pp. 49-51, 50-52

Practise the full MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

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