Question

Which of the following statements are correct with reference to human endoskeleton?
A. Human skull is monocondylic.
B. The joint between any two adjoining vertebrae is a cartilaginous joint.
C. In human beings, the number of cervical vertebrae is seven.
D. All ribs except the last 2 pairs are bicephalic.
E. The occipital bone of skull is articulated with atlas vertebra.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. B, C and E only
• B. C, D and E only
• C. A, B and D only
• D. B and E only

Hint:

Logic Tip: Mammals and Amphibians have "Di-condylic" skulls (2 condyles). Reptiles and Aves (Birds) have "Mono-condylic" skulls (1 condyle). Knowing Statement A is false instantly rules out Option 3!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept:
The human endoskeleton consists of the axial and appendicular skeleton. A detailed understanding of the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage is required to assess the validity of the given anatomical statements.
Step 1:
The human skull articulates with the superior region of the vertebral column with the help of two occipital condyles. Therefore, the human skull is dicondylic, not monocondylic (which is a feature of reptiles and birds). Statement A is incorrect.
Step 2:
The adjacent vertebrae in the human vertebral column are separated by intervertebral discs made of fibrocartilage. These act as cartilaginous joints, which permit limited movement. Statement B is correct.
Step 3:
Regardless of the length of the neck, almost all mammals, including human beings, consistently possess exactly seven cervical (neck) vertebrae. Statement C is correct.
Step 4:
According to standard human anatomy, each rib is a thin flat bone connected dorsally to the vertebral column. It has two articulation surfaces on its dorsal end and is hence called bicephalic. This structural trait is generally applied to all 12 pairs of ribs. The statement restricting it by excluding the last 2 pairs is misleading/false in standard high school biology contexts. Statement D is incorrect.
Step 5:
The occipital bone forms the base of the skull. It possesses two occipital condyles that sit directly into the superior articular facets of the first cervical vertebra, known as the atlas (C1). Statement E is correct.
Step 6:
The correct statements are B, C, and E. This precisely matches Option (1).