Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

MSK > 4 Lumbar Spine > Flashcards

4 Lumbar Spine Flashcards

1
Q

How many vertebrae are there?

A

33

7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 4 coccygeal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Are the lumbar, sacral and coccygeal sections mobile?

A

Lumbar region is mobile

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the sacrum?

A

Fusion of 5 vertebrae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the coccyx?

A

Fusion of 4 vertebrae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the functions of the lumbar spine?

A

Support
Protection
Movement
Haemopoeisis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What does the anterior region of the lumbar vertebra have?

A

Vertebral body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What does the posterior region of the lumbar vertebra have?

A

Vertebral arch

Vertebral foramen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the end plates covered in?

A

Superiorly and inferiorly covered with hyaline cartilage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What kind of bone is the anterior region made up of?

A

10% cortical bone

90% cancellous bone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why does the size of vertebral body increase from superior to inferior?

A

Lower vertebrae take more weight, spreads load more if bigger

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does the vertebral foramen contain?

A

Conus medullaris
Cauda equina and meninges
Epidural veins
Spinal arteries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the structures in the posterior region?

A

2 pedicles
2 lamina
7 processes: 1 spinous, 2 superior articular, 2 inferior articular, 2 transverse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the role of the transverse processes?

A

Provide attachments for muscles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the facet joint?

A

Joins the inferior articular processes of one vertebra to the superior articular processes of the vertebra below
Paired
Also called zyagpophyseal joints

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the role of facet joints?

A

Interlocking design
Prevents anterior displacement of vertebrae
Orientation determines amount of flexion and rotation permitted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the orientation of lumbar facet joints?

A

At 45 degrees to coronal plane therefore flexion and extension are possible
Perpendicular to axial plane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the types of joints in the lumbar spine?

A

Fibrous: non-mobile
Secondary cartilaginous: partially mobile
Synovial: highly mobile

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Give an example of a fibrous joint

A

Sacroiliac

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Give an example of a secondary cartilaginous joint

A

Intervertebral disc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Give an example of a synovial joint

A

Facet joint

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the make up of intervertebral discs?

A

70% water
20% collagen
10% proteoglycans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What are the 2 regions of intervertebral discs?

A

Nucleus pulposus

Annulus fibrosus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the annulus fibrosus?

A

Mae from lamellae of annular bands in varying orientations
Type 1 collagen
Avascular and aneural (uses diffusion from vertebrae)
Surrounds nucleus pulposus

24
Q

What is the nucleus pulposus?

A

Remnant of notochord
Gelatinous, type 2 collagen
High oncotic pressure
Located more posteriorly in adult

25
What is the role of intervertebral discs?
Major shock absorber Keep the vertebrae separate Highly resilient under compression
26
Are anterior or posterior ligaments in the vertebral column stronger?
Anterior
27
What are the 2 anterior ligaments?
Anterior longitudinal ligament | Posterior longitudinal ligament (limits flexion)
28
Describe the anterior longitudinal ligament
``` Anterior to vertebral body Slightly wider than PLL Blends with periosteum of vertebral bodies Mobile over intervertebral discs Prevents hyper extension ```
29
Describe the posterior longitudinal ligament
Throughout lumbar spine Weaker than anterior longitudinal ligament Prevents hyperflexion Reinforces annulus centrally leading to paracentral disc prolapses
30
What ligaments are in the posterior region?
Supraspinous ligament Interspinous ligament Ligamentum flavum
31
Describe the supraspinous ligaments
Tips of adjacent spinous processes Strong bands of white fibrous tissue Lax in extension Tight in flexion
32
Describe the interspinous ligaments
Weak sheet of fibrous tissue Unite spinous processes along adjacent borders Well developed only in lumbar region
33
Describe the ligamentum flavum
Yellow in colour: elastin Between laminae of adjacent vertebrae Stretched during flexion of spine
34
Where do spinal nerves exit the spinal canal in the sacrum?
Via the sacral foramina and sacral hiatus
35
What is the shape of the vertebral column in the fetus?
C-shaped Concave anteriorly = kyphosis Curvature known as primary curvature Primary curvature retained in life in thoracic, sacral and coccygeal regions
36
What is the evolution in 18 months of the spine?
Primary curvature is remodelled to add 2 secondary curvatures Cervical spine develops first posterior concavity (cervical lordosis) when young child beings lifting its head Lumbar spine loses its primary kyphosis during crawling When child begins to stand up and walk, lumbar lordosis develops
37
What are the features of the vertebral column in adults?
4 distinct curvatures 2 kyphoses - thoracic and sacrococcygeal 2 lordoses - cervical and lumbar
38
What happens to the vertebral column in old age?
Secondary curvatures start to disappear Loss of disc height and osteoporotic fractures Continuous primary curvature is reestablished
39
Where does the mechanical axis pass through the vertebral column?
C1 and C2 C7 and T1 T12 and L1 L5 and S1
40
What is mechanical back pain?
Pain when spine is loaded - sitting - standing Worse with exercise, relieved by rest
41
What is the natural history of mechanical back pain?
Intermittent Often triggered by innocuous activity Predisposition overweight, unhealthy lifestyle deconditioned core muscles
42
What is the ageing physiology of the spine?
``` Bottom disc ages first Nucleus pulposus dehydrates with age Loss of disc height - disc bulge Increased load stresses (syndesmophytes) Increased load stress on the facet joints (osteoarthritis) ```
43
What is a prolapse?
Protrusion of the nucleus pulposus with slight impingement into the spinal canal
44
What is an extrusion?
Nucleus pulposus breaks through annulus fibrosus, but remains within the disc space
45
What is a sequestration?
Nucleus pulposus breaks through annulus fibrosus and separates from the main body of the disc in the spinal canal
46
Where do prolapsed intervertebral discs usually occur?
L4/5 or L5/S1 | Usually herniated paracentrally, causing compression of spinal nerve roots
47
What is sciatica?
Pain caused by irritation or compression of one or more of the nerve roots which contribute to the sciatic nerve (L4, L5, S1, S2, S3)
48
Where does L4 sciatica cause pain?
Lumbar spine Anterior thigh Anterior knee Medial leg
49
Where does L5 sciatica cause pain?
Lumbar spine Lateral thigh Lateral leg Dorsum of foot
50
Where does S1 sciatica cause pain?
``` Lumbar spine Posterior thigh Posterior leg Heel Lateral border and sole of foot ```
51
What is cauda equina syndrome?
Canal-filling disc compressing the lumbar and sacral nerve roots (cauda equina)
52
What are the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome?
``` Bilateral sciatica Perianal numbness Painless retention of urine Urinary/faecal incontinence Erectile dysfunction Surgical emergency ```
53
What is claudication?
Pain in legs whilst walking
54
What is neurogenic claudication?
Compression of nerve roots Venous engorgement of nerve roots during exercise Reduced arterial inflow Pain and paraesthesia
55
What is spondylolisthesis?
Caused by disconnection of vertebral body from vertebral arch Usually a forward displacement

MSK (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions