National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

When palpating the spine of a patient’s scapula at the level of T2, which postural deformity is most likely?

1. Forward head

2. Shoulder elevation

3. Rounded shoulders

4. Scapular winging

The correct answer is: Shoulder elevation

Palpating the spine of the scapula at the level of T2 can indeed reveal significant information about the patient's posture and any potential deformities. When the scapula is at this level, one common postural deviation that may be observed is shoulder elevation. In many individuals, especially those with a documented postural imbalance or muscular tightness, the scapula may be positioned higher than typical due to dysfunction in surrounding musculature, such as overactivity in the upper trapezius or tightness in the levator scapulae. This can lead to an appearance of higher shoulders compared to the rest of the body, indicating a compensatory mechanism to maintain shoulder stability or due to upper body posture alignment. While other options, such as rounded shoulders or scapular winging, can also affect the position of the scapula, they do not specifically correlate with palpating at the level of T2 in the same direct manner as shoulder elevation. Rounded shoulders generally indicate a forward position of the shoulder complex and are typically assessed more toward the anterior aspect rather than solely at the spinal location of T2. Scapular winging, while a notable condition, describes a specific abnormal movement pattern of the scapula rather than a static postural alignment observed through