Advanced Anatomical Position and Directional Terms Quiz! #7. Anatomy MCQ's. Human Body Quiz

Error in question 13. Here is the correct and detailed explanation for the positioning of articular facets in cervical vertebrae:

Correct Orientation in Cervical Vertebrae:
Superior Articular Facets: They face superiorly and posteriorly (or posterosuperiorly). Think of them as looking upward and slightly backward.

Inferior Articular Facets: They face inferiorly and anteriorly (or anteroinferiorly). Think of them as looking downward and slightly forward.

Why This Orientation Matters:
This oblique, "shingled" arrangement is a key reason for the neck's excellent mobility, allowing for a wide range of flexion, extension, and especially rotation.

Comparison with Other Regions:
To understand why the cervical spine is unique, here's how facet orientation differs along the vertebral column:

Region Superior Articular Facet Orientation Inferior Articular Facet Orientation Primary Motion
Cervical Posterosuperior (backward & upward) Anteroinferior (forward & downward) Flexion, extension, lateral bending, rotation
Thoracic Posterior & slightly lateral (backward & to the side) Anterior & slightly medial (forward & inward) Limited flexion/extension, some rotation
Lumbar Posteromedial (backward & inward) Anterolateral (forward & outward) Flexion, extension, lateral bending; very limited rotation
In summary: My initial statement ("superior facets face superiorly, inferior facets face inferiorly") is a gross oversimplification and is only broadly true for the overall "up/down" stack of the spine. The critical detail for function and identification is the additional anterior/posterior tilt, which is posterior for cervical superior facets and anterior for cervical inferior facets.

Question 14:
The radial collateral ligament is distal to the annular ligament.
It is comparing two unrelated structures in different body regions. It's a confusing question similar to the "pectoralis major/latissimus dorsi plane" but the question and answer are correct
Here’s a brief breakdown to clarify the anatomy:
Annular Ligament: This ligament forms a "ring" around the head of the radius, holding it against the ulna. It is a proximal structure, encircling the radial head just below the elbow joint.
Radial Collateral Ligament: This is a strong band that runs from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus downward (distally) to attach to the annular ligament and the radius itself.

Therefore, in the standard anatomical position, the main body of the radial collateral ligament lies distal (further down the arm) relative to the annular ligament's location at the radial head.

Question 38
Answer: Medial. It is not the best descriptor. The lacunar ligament is more accurately anterior to the pectineal (Cooper's) ligament. Since "anterior" isn't an option, this question is flawed.
Correction Needed: The provided answer ("medial") is anatomically imprecise and potentially misleading for this specific comparison.

The most accurate and clinically relevant description of the relationship is that the lacunar ligament is anterior to the pectineal ligament.

Explanation:
The lacunar ligament (Gimbernat's ligament) is a crescent-shaped extension of the medial end of the inguinal ligament that attaches to the pecten pubis. The pectineal ligament (Cooper's ligament) is a thick, fibrous band along the pecten pubis on the superior ramus of the pubis.

As the lacunar ligament fans out to attach to the pecten, it lies anterior (superficial) to the pectineal ligament. Describing it as simply "medial" is less precise because both structures are in the medial inguinal region, but their key relationship is one of depth/anterior-posterior layering.

CorrectAnswer: anterior

explanation: The lacunar ligament lies anterior (superficial) to the pectineal ligament (Cooper's ligament) at its attachment to the pecten pubis.