Anatomy 2: Spine and Spinal Cord

Question 1

What anatomical landmark do the skin dimples at the base of the back indicate?

Answer 1

posterior superior iliac spine

Question 2

What is the function of the extrinsic back muscles

Answer 2

move the upper limb

Question 3

What are the main muscles of the back

Answer 3

trapezius
latissimus dorsi
levator scapulae
rhomboid major and minor

Question 4

What are the main intrinsic muscles of the back and their function

Answer 4

move the spine + maintain posture
erector spinae (superficial)
transversospinalis (deep)

Question 5

where is transversopinalis located

Answer 5

between the deep grooves between the transvers and spinous processes

Question 6

What kind of curvature is a kyphosis

Answer 6

primary

Question 7

what kind of curvature is a lordosis

Answer 7

secondary

Question 8

Name the important features of a typical spinal vertebra

Answer 8

spinous process
transverse process
vertebral foramin
vertebral body
vertebral arch
lamina 
pedicle
inferior and superior articular processes

Question 9

What is a facet joint

Answer 9

between articular processes of two adjacent vertebrae

- pain signals due to arthritis of this area is transmitted via posterior rami

Question 10

where are intervertebral discs not present

Answer 10

C1-2

sacrum/coccyx

Question 11

What is the outer layer of an intervertebral disc caled

Answer 11

annulus fibrosus

Question 12

What is the inner layer called

Answer 12

nucleus pulposis

Question 13

Name the ligaments of the spine

Answer 13

ligamentum flavum
posterior longitudinal ligament
anterior longitudinal
supraspinous
interspinous

Question 14

Where does the ligamentum flavum attach

Answer 14

connect adjacent laminae

Question 15

What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 15

prevents over flexion of the spine

Question 16

What is the purpose of the anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 16

strong - supports discs

prevents over extension of spine

Question 17

where do the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments attach

Answer 17

connects tips of spinous process = SUPRA

connects superior and inferior surpaces of spinous process (INTER)

Question 18

what is contained in the transverse formain

Answer 18

vertebral arteries

Question 19

What is special about the atlas (C1)

Answer 19

no body or spinous proves

instead has anterior and posterior arch

Question 20

what is special about the axis

Answer 20

odontoid process

Question 21

which vertebrae is known as vertebrae prominens

Answer 21

C7

FIRST PALPABLE

Question 22

what type of joint is the atlanto occipital joint and where does it form

Answer 22

synovial

between the occipital condyles and the superior articular facets of the atlas

Question 23

what is the mian movement of atlanto occipital joint

Answer 23

nod YES

Question 24

What is the main movement of atlanto axial joint

Answer 24

NO

Question 25

how may joints are involved in the atlanto axial joint

Answer 25

three

Question 26

what joints make the atlanto axial joitns

Answer 26

two between the inferior articular facet of the atlas and the superior articular facet of the axis one between the anterior arch of the atlas and odontoid process

Question 27

where is LA injected into to anesthesis the sacral spinal nerve roots of the cauda equina

Answer 27

sacral hiatus

Question 28

name the three meniges

Answer 28

dura arachnoid pia

Question 29

what is in the epidural space

Answer 29

fat

Question 30

where does the spinal cord begin and end

Answer 30

C1-L2 at the conus medullaris

Question 31

How is the spinal cord accessed surgically

Answer 31

laminectomy (removal of one or more spinous processes and adjacent lamina)

Question 32

when may a laminectomy be done

Answer 32

to relieve pressure on spinal cord or nerve roots eg - tumour, herniated disc, bone hypertrophy