Chordomas primarily occur in which part of the body?

Chordomas are a type of bone tumor that primarily arise from remnants of the notochord, a structure present during embryonic development. These tumors are particularly known for their location within the axial skeleton, specifically in the midline regions. The most common sites for chordomas include the sacrum (lower back) and the base of the skull, both of which are midline structures.

Given these characteristics, the assertion that chordomas primarily occur in the axial skeleton in the midline is accurate. The other possibilities, such as the periphery of long bones, which are more commonly associated with other types of bone tumors like osteosarcomas, and specific regions like the pelvic or cervical areas, do not capture the typical presentation and common sites for chordomas. Instead, chordomas specifically have a predilection for the midline axial skeleton, distinguishing them from tumors that affect other parts of the skeleton.