Anatomy and Procedures of the Lumbar Spine

Question 1

What occupies the posterior abdominal region?

Answer 1

lumbar vertebrae

Question 2

How many vertebrae are in the lumbar spine?

Answer 2

5

Question 3

What are the unique features of the lumbar?

Answer 3

• Transverse processes are smaller than T-spine
• Pars interarticularis – part of lamina between articular processes

Question 4

What is the part of lamina between articular processes?

Answer 4

pars interarticularis

Question 5

What is seen on the lateral projection for the lumbar spine?

Answer 5

Intervertevbral Foramen
- 90 degrees

Question 6

What is seen on the obliques of the lumbar spine?

Answer 6

Zygapophyseal joint
45 degrees

Question 7

how is the body different in the lumbar

Answer 7

broader

Question 8

how is the lamina in the lumbar spine

Answer 8

shorter

Question 9

how is the spinous processes in the lumbar

Answer 9

shorter and broader

Question 10

how is the transverse process in lumbar spine?

Answer 10

shorter

Question 11

patient position for AP L-spine

Answer 11

Supine or upright

Question 11

Anatomy of the lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 11

• body (broader)
• pedicles
• laminae (shorter)
• spinous process (shorter + broader)
• transerve process (shorter)
• superior articulation
• inferior vertebral articulation

Question 12

essential projections for L spine

Answer 12

• AP
• Lateral
• Lateral (L5-S1)
• AP oblique (RPO) (LPO)
• AP axial lumbosacral (LS) junction and SI joints (Ferguson)

Question 13

part position for AP L-Spine

Answer 13

MSP centered to midline

Shoulders and hips in same horizontal plane

Arms crossed on chest

Reduce lordosis by flexing hips and knees to place lower back closer to table

Question 14

How do we reduce lordosis in lumbar spine?

Answer 14

flexing hips and knees to place lower back closer to table

Question 15

When we bend up the knees in lumbar spine what happens?

Answer 15

It opens up joint space and makes patient more comfortbale

Question 16

What is CR for AP L-spine

Answer 16

Perpendicular to IR

Question 17

For lumbarsacral exams what is the CR?

Answer 17

enters patient at iliac crest (L4)

Question 18

What should be included in AP L-spine?

Answer 18

• articulation of T12, L1
• both SI joints
• L5, S1

Question 18

What is the CR for lumbar only?

Answer 18

enters patient at 1 1/2 inches above iliac crests (L3)

Question 19

What is the breathing technique for AP L-spine?

Answer 19

Respiration suspended at end of expiration because of diaphgram

Question 19

What is the SID for lumbar spine exams?

Answer 19

40 inches

Question 20

what does the lateral L-spine demonstrate

Answer 20

Intervertebral foramina

Question 21

patient position for lateral L-spine

Answer 21

Recumbent or upright
Use same as for AP

Question 22

What is the standard lateral side for lumbar spine?

Answer 22

left lateral lumbar

Question 22

part position for lateral L spine

Answer 22

true lateral with MCP vertical
Knees flexed and superimposed
Arms, with elbows flexed, at right angle to body
Place radiolucent support under lower spine to place horizontal, if needed

Question 23

For scoliosis what side would you do for lateral?

Answer 23

right lateral

Question 24

What is CR for Lateral L-spine?

Answer 24

Perpendicular to IR

Enters patient on MCP at iliac crests (L4)

Question 25

if spine is not horizontal for the lateral L-spine , what should the degree of angulation be?

Answer 25

horizontal, angle caudad 5 to 8 degrees
More for females

Question 26

What must be included for lateral L-spine?

Answer 26

• L5, S1 junction
• open up disc space
• intervertebral foramen

Question 27

This area has a lot of injuries

Answer 27

Lateral L5-S1