Anatomy 23 (Neuro 6) Flashcards

1
Q

How many cervical vertebrae are there?

A

7

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

How many thoracic vertebrae are there?

A

12

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

How many lumbar vertebrae are there?

A

5

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

How many vertebrae does the sacrum consist of?

A

5 fused vertebrae

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

How many vertebrae make up the coccynx

A

4 or more rudimentary vertebrae

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

Through which joints does the vertebral column transmit the body weight on to the lower limbs?

A

Sacroilliac joints

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

What does the vertebral canal consist of?

A

Spinal cord and it’s coverings
Spinal nerves

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

What is the upper most spinous process that is palpable?

A

7th cervical vertebra

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

What is the 7th cervical vertebra known as?

A

‘vertebra prominent’

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

What is the highest point of the iliac crest in line with?

A

The interval between L3-L4 spines

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

When is the sinusoidal shape of the vertebral column developed?

A

After birth

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

What shape is the vertebral column in the foetus?

A

‘C’ shaped with concavity facing anteriorly

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

When does the secondary curvature develop?

A

After birth, convexity develops in the cervical region when the child holds up their head and in the lumbar region when the legs start weight bearing

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

What are movements of the vertebral column?

A

Forward flexion (40 degrees)
Extension (15 degrees)
Lateral flexion (30 degrees)
Rotation (40 degrees)

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

In which region is rotation maximum?

A

Thoracic region

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

In which region is rotation very limited?

A

Lumbar region

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

In which region is flexion and extension very limited and why?

A

Thoracic region due to the presence of the rib cage

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

What are the intervertebral discs?

A

Strong fibrocartilaginous structures that can withstand
compression forces but are flexible enough to allow movements between the vertebrae

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

What are the 2 parts of the intervertebral discs?

A

Nucleus pulposus surrounded by an annulus fibrosis

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

What is the nucleus pulposus?

A

Well hydrated gel having proteoglycan, collagen and cartilage cells

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

What is the annulus fibrosus made of?

A

10-12 concentric layers of collagen whose oblique arrangement alters in successive layers

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

What is the annulus fibrosus attached to peripherally?

A

Vertebral bodies as well as to the posterior longitudinal ligament

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

What can a herniation of the intervertebral disc cause?

A

Can narrow the intervertebral foramen and cause compression of the nerve root

24
Q

What happens to the annulus fibrosis in herniation?

A

The annulus fibrosis of the intervertebral disc no longer contains the nucleus pulposus and it bulges into the spinal canal or intervertebral foramina.

25
Q

What is a straight posterior herniation often prevented by?

A

Firm attachment of the disc to the posterior longitudinal ligament

26
Q

What can arthritis of the facet joints lead to?

A

Can narrow the intervertebral foramen and cause nerve root compression

27
Q

What is radiculopathy?

A

Nerve root pathology - most commonly compression due to prolapsed intervertebral disc.

Most commonly at L5/S1 in the lumbar region or C6/7 in
the neck.

28
Q

What is sciatica?

A

Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve (L5)

29
Q

What are the signs/symptoms of sciatica?

A

Signs and symptoms:
▪ Pain radiating down the buttock, into the leg, down to the calf.
▪ Weakness in dorsiflexion causes foot drop.
▪ Abnormal gait

30
Q

What is the epidural space?

A

The ‘space’ between the vertebrae and the dura mater of the spinal cord

31
Q

What does the epidural space contain?

A

Contains the small arteries which supplies the spinal cord and
the vertebral venous plexuses

32
Q

What are veins in the vertebral venous plexuses called?

A

Batson’s veins

33
Q

Describe features of veins in the vertebral venous plexuses (Batson’s veins)

A

Contain no valves and communicate freely with the intercostal veins and pelvic veins, including the veins draining the prostate

34
Q

What is the cauda equina syndrome?

A

Compression of the nerve roots below the level of spinal cord termination (L1-S5)

35
Q

What is cauda equina syndrome most commonly caused by?

A

Disc prolapse at L4/5 or L5/S1 level

36
Q

What are signs/symptoms of cauda equina syndrome?

A

Signs and symptoms:
▪ Low back pain
▪ Perineal paraesthesia (saddle distribution)
▪ Decreased anal tone
▪ Bladder dysfunction
▪ Faecal incontinence
▪ Sciatica (more commonly bilateral)
▪ Variable lower extremity motor and sensory loss
▪ Sexual dysfunction

37
Q

What is a spinal cord segment?

A

Area of the spinal cord from which a pair of spinal nerves are given off

38
Q

How many pairs of spinal nerves does the spinal cord contain?

A

31 pairs of spinal nerves, hence 31 segments:
8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 1 coccygeal

39
Q

What type of fibres does the dorsal root of the spinal nerve carry?

A

Sensory fibres

40
Q

What does the dorsal root ganglion house?

A

The cells of origin of the dorsal root fibres

41
Q

Is the ventral root sensory or motor?

A

Motor

42
Q

Where does the ventral root emerge?

A

Emerges on the anterolateral aspect of the cord on either side

43
Q

What is the spinal nerve formed of?

A

Anterior and posterior roots join together at the intervertebral foramen

44
Q

What forms the cauda equina?

A

The lumbar and sacral nerve roots below the termination of the cord

45
Q

Where do the spinal nerves leave the vertebral canal?

A

Intervertebral foramen

46
Q

What is the intervertebral foramen bounded by anteriorly?

A

Bodies of the adjoining vertebrae and the intervening intervertebral disc

47
Q

What is the intervertebral foramen bounded by posteriorly?

A

Synovial joints between the 2 superior and the 2 inferior articular processes

48
Q

Where does the spinal cord end?

A

Interval between the 1st and 2nd lumbar vertebraes

49
Q

What is the conus medullaris?

A

The tapering end of the cord

50
Q

What is the filum terminale?

A

A fibrous strand extending from the conus medullaris to the coccyx

51
Q

What is the cauda equina?

A

Nerves from the lower part of the cord, the lumbar and sacral
nerves, hanging obliquely downwards

52
Q

What is the mnemonic for the spinocerebellar tracts?

A

COVID
Contralateral is Ventral, Ipsilateral is Dorsal

53
Q

How do metastases from malignant tumours, in breast and prostrate reach the vertebrae?

A

Through the vertebral venous plexuses which are connected to the veins draining these organs

54
Q

Where is the needle inserted in a lumbar puncture?

A

Into the subdural space in L3-L4 interspace

55
Q

What is the treatment for idiopathic intracranial hypertension?

A

CSF drained to decrease pressure