11 Spine Flashcards
How many spinal curvatures are in neonates?
where are secondary curvatures?
one
lumbar and cervical regions
Name 3 types of abnormal spine curvatures
Kyphosis - too much lumbar curvature
Lordosis - too much thoracic curvature
Scloiosis - lateral curvature
What are the divisions of the vertebral arch?
What are they separated by?
pedicles and lamina. separated by the transverse process
What are intervertebral joints articulations of, and what is the proper name?
inferior and superior articular processes
zypophyseal joint
What happens to the size of the vertebral bodies down the spine?
they get bigger
What are some unique features of cervical vertebrae?
transverse foramen for vertebral arteries
bifid spinous process
superior surface has unicate processes
holes in posterior surface of the vertebral body for veins
What are some unique features of thoracic vertebrae?
heart shaped body
facets for rib attachment on body
What are some unique features of lumbar vertebrae
large kidney shaped body
slender transverse process
spinous process is very tall and is angled horizontally (square)
How to nerves emerge from the spine?
either side of the pedicles are notches which form intevertebral foramina when vertebrae are put together
What kind of cartilage do secondary cartilaginous joints use, and where are they found?
fibrocartilage, with a tiny bit of hyaline
midline structures, including pubic and mental symphysis
How do zypophyseal joints change down the spine?
thoracic - coronal, limitng flexion / extension
cervical - more sloped
lumbar - curved in, allowing for more rotation
What is sciatica?
pain radiating along the path of the sciatic nerve, down the back down the hips and buttocks, a result of a herniated or slipped disc
L4, L5, or S1
What is the joint between the spine and skull?
atlanto-occipital joint
What is significant about the body of the axis?
it is the dens, and it originates from the atlas. a fracture can slice through the spinal chord (hangman’s fracture
What holds the adontoid peg in place?
transverse ligament of atlas an longitudinal ligaments, forming the cruciate ligament
