GC Anatomy & Physiology for Gyrotonic Practice 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The human spine is made up of how many vertebrae in total, including fused segments?
- 24
- 26
- 33 (Correct answer)
- 30
Correct answer: 33
The human spine has 33 vertebrae total: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused into the sacrum), and 4 coccygeal (fused into the coccyx).
Question 2: Cervical lordosis is best described as which type of spinal curve?
- A primary curve present at birth
- A secondary curve that develops after birth (Correct answer)
- A forward curve in the thoracic region
- A lateral deviation of the spine
Correct answer: A secondary curve that develops after birth
Cervical lordosis is a secondary curve that develops after birth when the infant begins to hold up the head, distinguishing it from the primary thoracic and sacral kyphotic curves.
Question 3: The diaphragm, which is coordinated with breath in Gyrotonic practice, is best described as what shape?
- Dome-shaped (Correct answer)
- Flat and triangular
- Cylindrical
- S-shaped
Correct answer: Dome-shaped
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped musculotendinous structure that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities and descends during inhalation to increase thoracic volume.
Question 4: The joints between adjacent vertebral bodies — central to spinal articulation in Gyrotonic — are classified as which type of joint?
- Synovial joints
- Fibrocartilaginous joints (symphyses) (Correct answer)
- Sutures
- Gomphoses
Correct answer: Fibrocartilaginous joints (symphyses)
Intervertebral discs form fibrocartilaginous joints (symphyses) between adjacent vertebral bodies, permitting slight movement while providing shock absorption.
Question 5: Which muscle group is the primary extensor of the vertebral column and is frequently engaged in Gyrotonic spinal wave movements?
- Rectus abdominis
- Erector spinae (Correct answer)
- Iliopsoas
- Transversus abdominis
Correct answer: Erector spinae
The erector spinae is a group of muscles running longitudinally along the spine that serves as the primary extensor of the vertebral column.
Question 6: Which movement term describes side bending of the spine, one of the key planes emphasized in Gyrotonic practice?
- Flexion
- Lateral flexion (Correct answer)
- Rotation
- Extension
Correct answer: Lateral flexion
Lateral flexion refers to bending of the spine to one side, moving the head or trunk toward the shoulder or hip in the frontal plane.
Question 7: The sacrum, which forms the posterior wall of the pelvis, is created by the fusion of how many vertebrae?
- 3
- 4
- 5 (Correct answer)
- 6
Correct answer: 5
The sacrum is formed by the fusion of 5 sacral vertebrae, creating a triangular bone that articulates with the ilium on each side at the sacroiliac joints.
GC Anatomy & Physiology for Gyrotonic Practice 1
The human spine is made up of how many vertebrae in total, including fused segments?