Osteology of Neck in Human Anatomy MCQ Questions and Answers

1. The bone that does not directly articulate with the hyoid bone is:
A) Styloid process of temporal bone
B) Thyroid cartilage
C) Mandible
D) Body of the sphenoid bone
Answer: C

2. The greater horn (greater cornu) of the hyoid bone gives attachment to which muscle?
A) Sternohyoid
B) Hyoglossus
C) Mylohyoid
D) Omohyoid
Answer: B

3. Which statement about the atlas (C1) vertebra is correct?
A) It has a prominent vertebral body comparable to typical vertebrae.
B) It lacks a vertebral body and has anterior and posterior arches.
C) It has a bifid spinous process.
D) It transmits the vertebral artery through its body.
Answer: B

4. The odontoid process (dens) is a feature of which vertebra?
A) C1
B) C2 (axis)
C) C3
D) C7
Answer: B

5. The transverse foramen of cervical vertebrae most commonly transmits:
A) Internal jugular vein
B) Vertebral artery
C) Carotid artery
D) Sympathetic trunk
Answer: B

6. The prominent spinous process at the base of the neck (vertebra prominens) is typically which vertebra?
A) C5
B) C6
C) C7
D) T1
Answer: C

7. Uncinate processes (or uncus) are characteristic bony features of:
A) Atlas only
B) Axis only
C) Typical cervical vertebrae (C3–C7)
D) Thoracic vertebrae
Answer: C

8. The carotid tubercle (Chassaignac’s tubercle) is formed by the anterior tubercle of the transverse process of:
A) C3
B) C4
C) C6
D) C7
Answer: C

9. The atlanto-occipital joint primarily allows which movement?
A) Rotation of head (shaking “no”)
B) Flexion and extension of head (nodding “yes”)
C) Lateral flexion only
D) Gliding without rotation or nodding
Answer: B

10. Which structure is found on the posterior arch of C1 and accommodates the vertebral artery?
A) Transverse foramen
B) Spinous tubercle
C) Sulcus (groove) for vertebral artery
D) Articular facet for dens
Answer: C

11. The clavicles articulate with which neck-related bony landmark?
A) Hyoid bone
B) Thyroid cartilage
C) Manubrium of sternum
D) Transverse process of C7
Answer: C

12. Jefferson fracture refers to a burst fracture of which bone?
A) Axis (C2)
B) Body of C3
C) Atlas (C1)
D) Occipital condyle
Answer: C

13. Hangman’s fracture classically involves which part of C2?
A) Spinous process
B) Transverse process
C) Pars interarticularis (neck of C2)
D) Odontoid tip
Answer: C

14. The foramen transversarium is absent or very small in which vertebra most frequently?
A) C3
B) C7 (variable)
C) C5
D) C1
Answer: B

15. The stylohyoid ligament extends from the styloid process to which part of the hyoid?
A) Body of hyoid
B) Lesser horn (lesser cornu)
C) Greater horn
D) Greater tubercle
Answer: B

16. The occipital condyles articulate with which part of the atlas?
A) Anterior arch
B) Posterior arch
C) Superior articular facets (lateral masses)
D) Transverse processes
Answer: C

17. The transverse ligament of the atlas holds which structure against the anterior arch of atlas?
A) Vertebral artery
B) Spinal cord only
C) Odontoid process (dens)
D) Anterior longitudinal ligament
Answer: C

18. A fracture through the base of the odontoid process is referred to as which Anderson and D’Alonzo type?
A) Type I
B) Type II
C) Type III
D) Type IV
Answer: B

19. Which cervical vertebra typically has the largest vertebral foramen?
A) C5
B) C1 (atlas)
C) C7
D) C3
Answer: B

20. The anterior tubercle of C1 serves as an attachment for which structure?
A) Longus colli muscle
B) Splenius capitis
C) Anterior atlanto-occipital membrane and the anterior longitudinal ligament (via small attachments)
D) Sternocleidomastoid
Answer: C

21. The body of the hyoid bone develops from which branchial arch derivatives?
A) First arch only
B) Second (lesser horn) and third (greater horn) arch contributions
C) Fourth arch only
D) First and fourth arches
Answer: B

22. The groove on the superior surface of the axis (C2) for the transverse ligament is located:
A) On the tip of the dens
B) On the posterior aspect of the body of axis just below the dens
C) On the transverse process
D) On the spinous process
Answer: B

23. Which cervical vertebra is also called the vertebra prominens because of its long non-bifid spinous process?
A) C5
B) C7
C) C2
D) C3
Answer: B

24. The joint between the dens of axis and the anterior arch of atlas is called:
A) Atlanto-occipital joint
B) Median atlanto-axial joint (pivot joint)
C) Lateral atlanto-axial joint
D) Zygapophysial joint
Answer: B

25. The mastoid process of the temporal bone gives attachment to which neck muscle?
A) Omohyoid
B) Scalenus anterior
C) Sternocleidomastoid (sternal head)
D) Longus colli
Answer: C

26. Which of the following is a feature of typical cervical vertebrae (e.g., C4)?
A) Absence of transverse foramen
B) Presence of bifid spinous process (often)
C) Costal facets for ribs
D) Massive vertebral bodies
Answer: B

27. The bifid spinous processes of cervical vertebrae are an attachment for which muscle group?
A) Infrahyoid muscles
B) Nuchal muscles (e.g., splenius, interspinales attachments)
C) Scalene muscles
D) Longus capitis
Answer: B

28. The lesser horn (lesser cornu) of the hyoid is primarily attached to which ligament?
A) Thyrohyoid ligament
B) Sternohyoid tendon
C) Stylohyoid ligament (and stylohyoid muscle attachment nearby)
D) Omohyoid tendon
Answer: C

29. Which vertebral level roughly corresponds to the level of the hyoid bone anteriorly?
A) C1
B) C3
C) C5
D) T1
Answer: B

30. Which bony landmark forms the inferior boundary of the jugular foramen and contributes to neck osteology?
A) Greater horn of hyoid
B) Occipital bone (petrous portion adjacent)
C) Manubrium
D) Mastoid notch
Answer: B

31. The transverse processes of cervical vertebrae differ from thoracic ones because they:
A) Bear costal facets
B) Contain foramina transversaria
C) Are fused to ribs
D) Are absent
Answer: B

32. The groove for the spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) is typically found on which bone near the neck?
A) Hyoid bone
B) Occipital bone / posterior aspect of mastoid region
C) Clavicle
D) C7 transverse process
Answer: B

33. The anterior longitudinal ligament is attached to which part of cervical vertebrae?
A) Spinous processes only
B) Vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs anteriorly
C) Transverse processes only
D) Laminae only
Answer: B

34. Which cervical vertebra often has a transverse process with a very small or absent foramen transversarium?
A) C3
B) C7 (variable foramen)
C) C6
D) C1
Answer: B

35. The posterior tubercle of the transverse process of a cervical vertebra corresponds to what embryologic derivative?
A) Vertebral body
B) Neural arch (lamina/rudiment)
C) Spinous process
D) Intervertebral disc
Answer: B

36. The superior articular facets of typical cervical vertebrae face:
A) Posteriorly and inferiorly
B) Superomedially
C) Laterally and inferiorly
D) Anterolaterally
Answer: B

37. Which of the following is a true statement about the manubrium in relation to neck osteology?
A) It articulates directly with the hyoid bone.
B) It forms part of the anterior bony landmark at the root of the neck (sternal notch) and articulates with clavicles.
C) It houses the transverse foramen.
D) It is part of the cervical vertebra.
Answer: B

38. The calcification center of the hyoid that ossifies late in life is commonly the:
A) Greater horn
B) Anterior body only
C) Lesser horn only
D) Manubrial insertion
Answer: A

39. The odontoid process articulates anteriorly with which structure?
A) Posterior arch of C1
B) Anterior arch of atlas (via a facet on the dens)
C) Foramen magnum
D) Transverse process of C1
Answer: B

40. Which vertebrae have costal processes modified into transverse processes rather than true ribs?
A) Lumbar vertebrae
B) Thoracic vertebrae only
C) Cervical vertebrae (embryologic costal elements form transverse processes and tubercles)
D) Sacral vertebrae
Answer: C

41. Which part of the occipital bone contributes to the posterior cranial base and articulates with the atlas?
A) Squamous part
B) Occipital condyles
C) Mastoid process
D) Styloid process
Answer: B

42. In a clay-shoveler’s fracture, which bony element is classically fractured?
A) Odontoid process
B) Atlas anterior arch
C) Spinous process of lower cervical vertebra (often C6 or C7)
D) Greater horn of hyoid
Answer: C
43. The intervertebral foramina in the cervical region are formed by:

A) Pedicles only
B) Spinous processes only
C) Superior and inferior vertebral notches of adjacent vertebrae
D) Transverse processes only
Answer: C

44. The vertebral artery usually enters the transverse foramen at which level?
A) C1
B) C3
C) C6
D) C7
Answer: C

45. The posterior atlanto-occipital membrane attaches between the posterior margin of foramen magnum and:
A) Posterior arch of C2
B) Posterior arch of C1 (atlas)
C) Spinous process of C1
D) Lamina of C2
Answer: B

46. Which bone provides the attachment for the thyrohyoid membrane?
A) Mandible
B) Hyoid bone
C) Clavicle
D) Occipital condyle
Answer: B

47. The laminae of cervical vertebrae are best described as:
A) Parts of the vertebral body
B) Plates forming the posterior boundary of the vertebral canal
C) The same as transverse processes
D) Absent in cervical vertebrae
Answer: B

48. The superior longitudinal ridge on the posterior surface of the occipital bone is known as:
A) Mastoid notch
B) Nuchal line (superior nuchal line)
C) Superior nuchal line
D) Jugular tubercle
Answer: C

49. Which of the following is NOT a part of the atlanto-axial complex?
A) Median atlanto-axial joint
B) Lateral atlanto-axial joints
C) Atlanto-occipital joint
D) Transverse ligament of atlas
Answer: C

50. The anterior longitudinal ligament blends with which of the following at the foramen magnum region?
A) Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
B) Tectorial membrane (continuous superiorly)
C) Nuchal ligament
D) Ligamentum flavum
Answer: B

51. The spinous process of the axis (C2) is characteristically:
A) Short and single
B) Bifid and robust
C) Absent
D) Lateralized
Answer: B

52. Which cervical vertebrae most commonly show vertebral artery variations in entry into transverse foramen?
A) C2–C3
B) C6–C7 (variable, especially C7)
C) C4–C5
D) Only C1
Answer: B

53. The hyoid bone lies at approximately which level in the neck when a patient is in anatomical position?
A) C1 level
B) C3 level
C) C5 level
D) T1 level
Answer: B

54. The posterior arch of atlas provides attachment for which ligament?
A) Anterior longitudinal ligament
B) Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
C) Ligamentum nuchae only
D) Supraspinous ligament
Answer: B

55. Which of the following bones does not contribute to the boundaries of the jugular foramen?
A) Occipital bone
B) Temporal bone (petrous portion)
C) Hyoid bone
D) (Both A & B do contribute)
Answer: C

56. The groove for the transverse sinus is located on the:
A) Sphenoid bone
B) Occipital bone (internal surface of the occipital)
C) Hyoid bone
D) Mandible
Answer: B

57. Which cervical vertebrae typically lacks a spinous process that projects posteriorly like thoracic vertebrae?
A) C3
B) C4
C) C1 (atlas)
D) C7
Answer: C

58. The articular surfaces between vertebral bodies are formed by:
A) Transverse processes
B) Intervertebral discs and vertebral endplates
C) Spinous processes
D) Laminae
Answer: B

59. Which bony ridge on the posterior neck is an important surgical landmark and attachment for many muscles (trapezius, splenius)?
A) Styloid process
B) Mastoid process
C) External occipital protuberance / superior nuchal line region
D) Hyoid body
Answer: C

60. The superior articular facets of C1 (atlas) face which direction?
A) Inferiorly and medially
B) Upwards and medially to receive occipital condyles
C) Laterally only
D) Downwards and laterally
Answer: B

61. The foramen magnum lies in which bone?
A) Temporal bone
B) Occipital bone
C) Sphenoid bone
D) Mandible
Answer: B

62. The mandibular notch is relevant to neck osteology because:
A) It houses the hyoid body.
B) It is a landmark related to attachment of suprahyoid muscles and nearby neurovascular structures.
C) It articulates with C1.
D) It contains the transverse foramen.
Answer: B

63. Which cervical vertebrae typically presents the smallest body?
A) C1
B) C2
C) C3 (bodies enlarge progressively from C3 downward)
D) C7
Answer: C

64. The lateral masses of the atlas contain which important feature?
A) Spinous process
B) Vertebral body
C) Superior and inferior articular facets
D) Odontoid process
Answer: C

65. Ossification centers of the odontoid process fuse with the body of axis at approximately what age (clinical relevance)?
A) At birth
B) By 5–7 years of age (fusion occurs in early childhood)
C) At puberty
D) After 30 years
Answer: B

66. The anterior atlanto-occipital membrane stretches between the anterior margin of the foramen magnum and:
A) Spinous process of C2
B) Anterior arch of atlas (C1)
C) Body of C2
D) Transverse process of C1
Answer: B

67. The mastoid process is a projection of which bone involved in neck muscle attachments?
A) Occipital bone only
B) Temporal bone
C) Sphenoid bone
D) Zygomatic bone
Answer: B

68. The pedicle of a cervical vertebra lies between which structures?
A) Body and lamina
B) Body and transverse process (forming lateral borders of vertebral foramen)
C) Spinous process and lamina
D) Transverse process and spinous process
Answer: B

69. Which ligament passes over the spinous processes in the posterior neck and is a continuation of supraspinous ligament?
A) Anterior longitudinal ligament
B) Ligamentum nuchae (nuchal ligament)
C) Tectorial membrane
D) Alar ligament
Answer: B

70. The superior cervical sympathetic chain lies in relation to which bony landmark in the neck?
A) Hyoid bone body
B) Transverse processes of cervical vertebrae (prevertebral fascia overlying them)
C) Spinous process of C7
D) Occipital condyle
Answer: B

71. The alar ligaments attach the sides of the dens to which structure?
A) Body of C1
B) Medial aspects of occipital condyles
C) Spinous process of C2
D) Transverse processes of C1
Answer: B

72. The longus colli muscle attaches to which bony surfaces of cervical vertebrae?
A) Spinous processes only
B) Anterior surfaces of vertebral bodies and transverse processes
C) Posterior arches only
D) Transverse foramen margins
Answer: B

73. Which cervical vertebra often demonstrates a posterior tubercle instead of a true spinous process?
A) C2
B) C1 (posterior tubercle instead of spinous process)
C) C5
D) C7
Answer: B

74. The nuchal line is found on which bone and is important for muscle attachments?
A) Temporal bone
B) Occipital bone
C) Hyoid bone
D) Mandible
Answer: B

75. The atlanto-axial lateral joints are formed between:
A) Occipital condyles and atlas
B) Inferior articular facets of C1 and superior articular facets of C2
C) Odontoid process and anterior arch of C1
D) Spinous processes of C1 and C2
Answer: B

76. The posterior inferior surface of the occipital bone contains depressions for which venous sinus?
A) Cavernous sinus
B) Sigmoid/transverse sinuses grooves
C) Superior sagittal only
D) Inferior petrosal only
Answer: B

77. Which vertebral level corresponds approximately to the level of the cricoid cartilage anteriorly?
A) C1
B) C6
C) C3
D) T1
Answer: B

78. The anterior tubercle of C6 is clinically palpable and is known as:
A) Vertebra prominens
B) Carotid tubercle (Chassaignac’s tubercle)
C) Hyoid tubercle
D) Styloid tubercle
Answer: B

79. Which cervical vertebra has a facet that articulates with the dens anteriorly?
A) C3
B) C1 (anterior arch has a facet for the dens)
C) C4
D) C7
Answer: B

80. The inferior articulating surfaces of C1 articulate with which vertebra?
A) Occipital bone
B) Superior facets of C2 (axis)
C) C3
D) Mandible
Answer: B

81. The basilar part of the occipital bone lies anterior to the foramen magnum and articulates with which bone?
A) Temporal bone
B) Sphenoid bone (clivus region)
C) Hyoid bone
D) Mandible
Answer: B

82. The styloid process is a projection from which bone and provides attachment for stylohyoid muscle?
A) Occipital bone
B) Temporal bone (petrous part)
C) Mandible
D) Zygomatic bone
Answer: B

83. In cervical vertebrae, the superior articular processes are part of which vertebral component?
A) Body
B) Neural arch (lateral mass region)
C) Lamina only
D) Pedicle only
Answer: B

84. The inner surface of the anterior arch of atlas has a facet for which structure?
A) Skull base
B) Dens (anterior facet for odontoid process)
C) Vertebral artery
D) Spinous process of C2
Answer: B

85. The oblique line of the thyroid cartilage attaches to which neck bone’s ligament or muscle?
A) Hyoid bone via thyrohyoid membrane
B) Inferior attachment related to hyoid via thyrohyoid connections (clinical bony relationships)
C) Transverse process of C1
D) Mastoid process direct attachment
Answer: B

86. The posterior atlanto-axial membrane is a continuation of which spinal ligament?
A) Anterior longitudinal ligament
B) Ligamentum flavum
C) Nuchal ligament
D) Interspinous ligament
Answer: B

87. The vertebral body height increases progressively from which cervical level downwards?
A) C1 to C2
B) C3 down to T1 and beyond
C) C7 to T1 only
D) No particular pattern
Answer: B

88. The articular pillar of cervical vertebrae refers to the column formed by:
A) Bodies of vertebrae
B) Vertical column of superior and inferior articular processes
C) Spinous processes only
D) Transverse foramen series
Answer: B

89. The lateral mass of C1 is a site for articulation and contains which important foramen?
A) Foramen magnum
B) No additional foramen—lateral mass contains superior and inferior facets and the transverse foramen nearby
C) Jugular foramen
D) Carotid canal
Answer: B

90. Ossification of the hyoid bone is unique because:
A) It remains cartilaginous for life
B) It begins from multiple centers (body and horns) and may ossify variably with age
C) It is a direct part of osseous skull development only
D) It fuses with the mandible in all adults
Answer: B

91. The superior thyroid notch is located on which structure related to neck osteology?
A) Hyoid bone
B) Thyroid cartilage (laryngeal skeleton, anterior neck landmark)
C) Manubrium
D) Clavicle
Answer: B

92. Which of the following describes the relationship of vertebral artery and posterior arch of C1?
A) Vertebral artery passes through the body of C1.
B) Vertebral artery lies in a groove on the superior surface of the posterior arch of C1 before entering the foramen magnum.
C) Vertebral artery passes anterior to the anterior arch only.
D) Vertebral artery does not relate to C1.
Answer: B

93. The lateral mass of the atlas transmits which structure?
A) Spinal cord
B) Articular surface for occipital condyle and for axis (no canal transmission)
C) Jugular vein
D) Hyoid ligament
Answer: B

94. The triangular surface on the superior aspect of the first thoracic vertebra articulates with which cervical vertebra?
A) C7 only
B) C7 via inferior articular facets continues into thoracic region; transitional anatomy between C7–T1
C) C6 only
D) Atlas
Answer: B

95. Which of the following bones is NOT part of the axial skeleton of the neck?
A) Cervical vertebrae
B) Occipital bone
C) Clavicle (appendicular)
D) Hyoid bone
Answer: C

96. The lateral atlanto-axial joints permit what primary movement?
A) Flexion only
B) Rotation of atlas on axis (shaking head “no”)
C) Lateral bending only
D) Vertical translation only
Answer: B

97. The posterior aspect of the body of C2 has a shallow groove for which structure?
A) Internal carotid artery
B) Transverse ligament of atlas and dura along the spinal cord area
C) External jugular vein
D) Thyroid cartilage
Answer: B

98. The articular surfaces of the cervical zygapophysial (facet) joints are oriented approximately at what angle to the horizontal plane to favor rotation?
A) 0° (flat)
B) 45° (oblique), facilitating flexion, extension and rotation
C) 90° (vertical)
D) 180° (flat)
Answer: B

99. The thyrohyoid membrane connects which two structures?
A) Mandible and hyoid
B) Hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage
C) Occipital condyle and atlas
D) Sternum and hyoid
Answer: B

100. The cervical rib (anomalous extra rib) when present arises from which vertebra?
A) C3
B) C4
C) C7 (costal element of C7)
D) T1
Answer: C