Anatomy - Back and Spine

Question 1

what are the two main functions of the back?

Answer 1

maintain posture

movement

Question 2

what do the skin dimples on the back indicate?

Answer 2

the positions of the posterior superior iliac spines (PSIS)

Question 3

what are the three parts of the trapezius from superior to inferior?

Answer 3

descending
transverse
ascending

Question 4

where to the extrinsic back muscles attach?

Answer 4

the pectoral girdle

Question 5

what do the extrinsic back muscles do?

Answer 5

move the upper limb

Question 6

what are the four extrinsic muscles of the back?

Answer 6

rhomboids
levator scapulae
trapezius
latissimus dorsi

Question 7

where are intrinsic back muscles located?

Answer 7

entirely within the back

Question 8

what are the roles of the intrinsic back muscles?

Answer 8

maintain back posture

move the spine

Question 9

what are the two groups of intrinsic back muscles?

Answer 9

erector spinal (superficial)
transversospinalis (deep).

Question 10

what three muscles make up the erector spine?

Answer 10

iliocostalis
longissimus
spinalis

Question 11

where do the erector spinal muscles attach inferiorly?

Answer 11

sacrum + iliac crest via a common tendon

Question 12

where does iliocostalis attach superiorly?

Answer 12

rib

Question 13

where does longissimus attach superiorly?

Answer 13

transverse process

Question 14

where does spinals attach superiorly?

Answer 14

spinous process

Question 15

where is transversospinalis located?

Answer 15

in the grooves between the transverse and spinous processes

Question 16

how many vertebrae are there in total?

Answer 16

33

Question 17

how many cervical vertebrae are there?

Answer 17

7

Question 18

how many thoracic vertebrae are there?

Answer 18

12

Question 19

how many lumbar vertebrae are there?

Answer 19

5

Question 20

how many sacral vertebrae are there?

Answer 20

5 - fused to form 1 sacrum

Question 21

how many coccygeal vertebrae are there?

Answer 21

4 - fused to form 1 coccyx

Question 22

describe how the size of the vertebrae changes from superior to inferior

Answer 22

become larger as they bear more weight

become smaller again once weight has transferred to the hips

Question 23

what are the two secondary curvatures of the vertebral column?

Answer 23

cervical lordosis

lumbar lordosis

Question 24

what are the two primary curvatures of the vertebral column?

Answer 24

thoracic kyphosis

sacral kyphosis

Question 25

what is the vertebral arch made of?

Answer 25

2 x pedicles | 2 x laminas

Question 26

what is the role of the vertebral foramen?

Answer 26

conveys and protects the spinal cord

Question 27

how do articular processes allow mobility with adjacent vertebrae?

Answer 27

via synovial facet joints

Question 28

where is an intervertebral foramen located?

Answer 28

between two adjacent vertebrae

Question 29

what is located in an intervertebral foramen?

Answer 29

spinal nerves

Question 30

where are facet joints located?

Answer 30

between articular processes of adjacent vertebrae

Question 31

what disease process can affect facet joints?

Answer 31

arthritis

Question 32

where are intervertebral discs located?

Answer 32

between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae

Question 33

where in the vertebral column are there no intervertebral discs?

Answer 33

between C1 and C2 or in the sacrum and coccyx

Question 34

what are the two parts of an intervertebral disc?

Answer 34

outer fibrous ring | inner soft pulp

Question 35

what is the outer fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc called?

Answer 35

annulus fibrosus

Question 36

what is the inner soft pulp of an intervertebral disc called?

Answer 36

nucleus pulposus

Question 37

name the five ligaments found in the vertebral column

Answer 37

``` ligamentum flavum posterior longitudinal ligament anterior longitudinal ligament supraspinous ligament interspinous ligament ```

Question 38

what is the role of the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 38

connects adjacent laminae posterior to the spinal cord

Question 39

what is the role of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 39

prevents over flexion of the spine

Question 40

what is the role of the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 40

prevents over extension of the spine

Question 41

what is the role of the supraspinous ligament?

Answer 41

connects the tips of the spinous processes

Question 42

what is the role of the interspinous ligaments?

Answer 42

connects superior and inferior surfaces of adjacent spinous processes

Question 43

what is C1 called?

Answer 43

atlas

Question 44

describe the structure of the atlas

Answer 44

no body or spinous process posterior and anterior arches ligament

Question 45

what is C2 called?

Answer 45

axis

Question 46

why is the axis an atypical vertebrae?

Answer 46

contains the odontoid process

Question 47

what is C7 called?

Answer 47

vertebrae prominens

Question 48

what passes through the transverse foramina of all cervical vertebrae except C7?

Answer 48

vertebral arteries

Question 49

where are the atlanto-occipital joints found?

Answer 49

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

Question 50

what type of joints are the atlanto-occipital joints?

Answer 50

synovial

Question 51

why do the atlanto-occipital joints have a loose capsule?

Answer 51

to help enable movements of the skull

Question 52

what movements occur at the atlanto-occipital joints?

Answer 52

flexion and extension of the neck a little lateral flexion and rotation

Question 53

how many articulations are there in atlanto-axial joints?

Answer 53

three

Question 54

what are the three articulations of the atlanto-axial joints?

Answer 54

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

Question 55

what is the main movement of the atlanto-axial joints?

Answer 55

rotation

Question 56

where does the spinal cord begin?

Answer 56

foramen magnum it is continuous with the medulla oblongata

Question 56

where does the spinal cord end?

Answer 56

vertebral level L1-L2 | can actually end anywhere between T12 and L3

Question 56

what is the end of the spinal cord called?

Answer 56

conus medullaris

Question 56

what is the spinal cord surrounded by in the vertebral canal?

Answer 56

three layers of meninges and epidural fat

Question 57

where is the needle inserted for spinal and epidural anaesthetic?

Answer 57

L3/4 interspace

Question 58

what determines the safest place for spinal/epidural anaesthetic insertion?

Answer 58

subarachnoid around the cauda equina, not the spinal cord vertebrae not fused

Question 59

what is the cauda equina made of?

Answer 59

L2-Co spinal nerve roots descending towards their intervertebral foramina

Question 60

where does the subarachnoid space end?

Answer 60

at the level of S2

Question 61

when should lumbar puncture NOT be performed?

Answer 61

cases of raised ICP

Question 62

where is spinal anaesthetic injected?

Answer 62

into the subarachnoid space

Question 63

where is epidural anaesthetic injected?

Answer 63

into the epidural space

Question 64

where is anaesthetic injected in caudal anaesthesia?

Answer 64

sacral hiatus

Question 65

what is the aim of caudal anaesthesia?

Answer 65

to anaesthetise the sacral spinal nerve roots of the cauda equina

Question 66

what does laminectomy involve?

Answer 66

the removal of one or more spinous processes and the adjacent lamina