6. Spine

Question 1

How many cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum and coccyx vertebrae

Answer 1

7 cervical,
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
5 sacral + 4 coccyx - fused

Question 2

How do the curvatures of the spine develop

Answer 2

Starts off kyphotic and c shape as an embryo then gets 2ndary lordosis at the cervical and lumbar as baby starts to walk.

Question 3

What are the signs to tell thoracic vertebra

Answer 3

T1 has an erect transverse process and is connected to the first big curvature of the first rib.
T12 has the last short projection of the ribs, lot shorter

Question 4

Where is the pedicles in the lateral view of the spine vs AP view

Answer 4

Lateral: The curved between the vertebral body and the jutting articular processes then large spinous process
AP: pock marks on either side of the spinous process, near the transverse processes

Question 5

Which way is Lumbar vertebrae identified

Answer 5

Find T12 and then downwards

Question 6

What does a wedge compression fracture look like

Answer 6

In lateral view, instead of square, looks like squashed marshmallow in the middle, in AP view it looks shorter and more rectangular.

Question 7

What are the causes of abnormal curvatures of the spine - extreme kyphosis and lordosis

Answer 7

-Muscle wasting diseases,
-polio
-TB
-Congenital malformation
-Age
Corrective surgeries are to keep spine straight in the wheelchair

Question 8

What is scoliosis

Answer 8

Lateral bending and rotation of the spine- snake wobble