ANAT Overview of the Back & Spine

Question 1

Vertebral column composition

Answer 1

• Cervical C1-C7
• Thoracic T1-T12
• Lumbar L1-L5
• Coccygeal Co1-Co4
• Sacrum

Question 2

C vertebrae foramen shape

Answer 2

Triangular

Question 3

T vertebrae foramen shape

Answer 3

Circular

Question 4

L vertebrae foramen shape

Answer 4

Flattened triangular

Question 5

C1 also referred to as

Answer 5

Atlas

Question 6

C2 also referred to as

Answer 6

Axis

Question 7

Spina bifida occulta abnormality

Answer 7

L5/S1 do not form completely -> back pain/weakness in UL & or LL

Question 8

Spina bifida cystica meningocele abnormality

Answer 8

Part of the spinal fluid exits through the opening in the vertebral column -> lump on back

Question 9

Spina bifida cystica meningomyelocele abnormality

Answer 9

Part of the spinal nerves protrude through the vertebral column -> back pain/weakness in UL/LL & bowel/bladder disfunction.

Question 10

Primary curves present in

Answer 10

T & S

Question 11

Secondary curves present in

Answer 11

L & C

Question 12

Kyphosis causes

Answer 12

Osteoporosis, muscle weakness

Question 13

Lordosis causes

Answer 13

Pregnancy, obesity, weakness in abdominal wall muscles.

Question 14

Scoliosis causes

Answer 14

Development abnormalities, muscular paralysis.

Question 15

IV disc structure

Answer 15

Nucleus pulposus - gelatinous inner sphere (enables compressive stress absorption)
Annulus fibrosus - outer collar of ligaments & fibrocartilage (resists tension on the spine)

Question 16

Change in orientation of zygapophyseal joint as one moves from rostral to caudal.

Answer 16

Joint plane slopes inferiorly from A-P -> flexion/ext (C)
Joint plane is vertical -> rotation (S)

Question 17

What passes through the foramen transversaria of C vertebrae?

Answer 17

Vertebral artery & vein

Question 18

Where should CSF be collected in lumbar puncture? Why? Difference in newborns.

Answer 18

Subarachnoid space… S.C. terminates @ L1 for most people, L2/3 for others. Must be completed lower than L4 in newborns as spinal cord extends lower into lumbar region.

Question 19

Spondylosis

Answer 19

Normal age related changes in vertebral strcture.

Question 20

Spondylolysis

Answer 20

Repetitive injury to pars interarticularis.

Question 21

Spondylolisthesis

Answer 21

Slipping of one vertebrae onto the one below -> lower back pain.

Question 22

Arterial supply of the breasts

Answer 22

Internal thoracic artery & axillary artery.

Question 23

Nerves providing sensory innervation to the breast

Answer 23

Intercostal nerves

Question 24

First line investigation of axillary lymph node.

Answer 24

Ultrasound

Question 25

What space lies immediately deep to the breast?

Answer 25

Intercostal space.