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Multiple Choice
The vertical axis of the skeleton is formed by the vertebral column, which extends from the ______ to the ______.
A
clavicle; femur
B
sternum; coccyx
C
shoulder; knee
D
skull; pelvis
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the anatomy of the vertebral column, which is the central axis of the skeleton. It provides structural support and protects the spinal cord.
Step 2: Recall that the vertebral column extends from the skull at the top to the pelvis at the bottom. The skull is the superior end, and the pelvis is the inferior end of the column.
Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options by considering anatomical locations. For example, the clavicle and femur are not part of the vertebral column, and the shoulder and knee are joints unrelated to the column's endpoints.
Step 4: Note that the sternum and coccyx are part of the axial skeleton but do not define the full vertical axis of the vertebral column. The coccyx is the terminal end of the column, but the sternum is not its superior endpoint.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is 'skull; pelvis,' as these are the anatomical landmarks defining the vertical axis of the vertebral column.