16. Vertebral Canal and Contents Flashcards
What are the two ligaments of the vertebral body?
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Where does the anterior longitudinal ligament run from and to?
From skull base right down to the sacrum
What is the function of the anterior longitudinal ligament?
Limits extension
Where does the posterior longitudinal ligament run from and to?
From C2 to sacrum
What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?
Prevents posterior herniation of IV disc
also weakly limits flexion
Where does the ligamenta flava run between?
Between lamina of adjacent vertebrae
What is the function of the ligamenta flava?
Reinforces the wall of the vertebral canal posteriorly
Limits flexion
What do the interspinous ligaments connect?
Adjacent spinous processes
What does the supraspinous ligament connect?
Tips of spinous processes
Where does the supraspinous ligament run from and to?
From C7 - Sacrum
What do the intertransverse ligaments connect?
Adjacent transverse processes
Describe the difference in fibre types between cervical/ thoracic/ lumbar portions of the intertransverse ligaments
Cervical - scattered fibres
Thoracic - fibrous
Lumbar - membranous
Where does the nuchal ligament attach?
External occipital protuberance
Posterior border of foramen magnum
Spinous processes C1-C7
With which ligament is the nuchal ligament continuous?
Supraspinous
What are the functions of the nuchal ligament?
Muscle attachment
Limit flexion
Where does the spinal cord run from and to?
From foramen magnum
To L1/L2
What are the 2 enlargements of the spinal cord?
Cervical (C4-T1)
Lumbar L1-S3
How are the spinal nerves named? What is the exception to this rule?
CERVICAL - named after the verteba BELOW
Except - C8 because obvs no C8 vertebra
T1-Co1 - named after verteba ABOVE
What is the cauda equina?
‘Horse’s tail’
Where the lumbar and saral roots extend below the end of the spinal cord
What is the filum terminale?
Remnant of the caudal part of the spinal cord (anchoring point)
What are the 3 layers of spinal meninges?
Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater
What are dural root sheaths?
Lateral extensions of dura that cover the nerve roots
How is the dura mater attached to the coccyx?
By filum terminale
What is found in the epidural space?
Internal vertebral venous plexuses
Epidural fat
What connects the arachnoid mater to the pia mater?
Arachnoid trabeculae
What is found in the subarachnoid space?
CSF
What is the lumbar cistern?
At L2-S2
Enlarged subarachnoid space around the conus medullaris
What structures does the pia mater cover?
Spinal cord
Nerve roots
Spinal blood vessels
Where do the deniculate ligaments run?
Either side of the spinal cord, between the anterior and posterior nerve roots
What is the function of the denticulate ligaments?
Suspend the cord in the dural sac
Describe the arterial supply of the vertebral column
Anterior spinal artery
2x posterior spinal arteries
Medullary segmental arteries
Radicular arteries (supply the nerve roots)
Describe the venous drainage of the vertebral column
3x anterior spinal veins
3x posterior spinal veins
Medullary veins
Radicular veins
Where do veins from the vertebral column eventually drain?
Into the internal vertebral venous plexuses (in the epidural space)
