American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the American Society of Radiologic Technologist Exam. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Your path to success begins here!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What feature characterizes a typical cervical vertebra's spinous process?

Long and projects inferiorly
Thick and blunt
Contains a foramen
Has a bifid tip

The correct answer is: Has a bifid tip

The spinous process of a typical cervical vertebra is characterized by having a bifid tip, which means that it is split into two distinct points at its end. This anatomical feature is significant as it provides attachment points for muscles and ligaments that contribute to the stability and movement of the cervical spine. The bifid nature of the cervical spinous processes is unique to this region of the spine and is instrumental in differentiating cervical vertebrae from those in other regions, such as the thoracic or lumbar vertebrae, where spinous processes tend to be longer, thicker, and more prominent without such a bifid feature. This bifid characteristic also aids in the identification of cervical vertebrae in imaging studies, making it an important element in radiographic assessments.