Anatomy Lab 2

Question 1

Name the multi-segmental intervertebral ligaments (3)

Answer 1

Anterior longitudinal ligament
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Supraspinous ligament

Question 2

Name the uni-segmental intervertebral ligaments (6)

Answer 2

Annulus fibrosis
Ligamentum flavum
Intertransverse ligament
Interspinous ligament
Z joint capsular ligaments
Radiate Ligaments

Question 3

Indicate on the diagram where the deepest group of vertebral muscles would attach:
- Interspinous
- Intertransverse
- Levator costarum muscles

Answer 3

Question 4

Laterally, Iliocostalis attaches to the angles of the ribs in the thoracic region.

i) Where does it attach in the cervical region?

ii) How many segments does each muscle fibre span?

Answer 4

i) Transverse processes
ii) 6 segments

Question 5

Longissimus runs the whole length of the spine attaching to the transverse processes of all the vertebrae and the jugular process of the occipital bone (lateral part of occipital bone).

i) How many segments does each muscle fibre span?

Answer 5

i) 6 segments

Question 6

Spinalis consists mainly of tendinous strands connecting the spinous processes.
i) How many segments does each muscle fibre span?

Answer 6

i) 6 segments

Question 7

Draw and label the
Erector Spinae muscles on the skeleton

Answer 7

All muscles insert into a common tendon (sacrospinous tendon)

Question 8

Transversospinalis group is composed of oblique fibres running between what vertebral components?

Answer 8

transverse and spinous processes
hence, the name

Question 9

Rotatores (best seen in the thoracic region) spans only 1 or 2 segments.
i) What is its action?
ii) Explain why

Answer 9

i) Rotation (and stabilisation)
ii) Horizontal direction of fibres, rotates spinous process of vertebra above while anchored to tranverse process of vertebra 1 or 2 below

Question 10

Why is the multifidus most developed in the lumbar region?

Answer 10

Lumbar vertebrae lack ribs and are thus more heavily muscled as they lack mechanical advantage from rib attachment.

Muscle creates stability in place of bone

Question 11

How many segments does the multifidus usually cross?

Answer 11

3-4 segments

Question 12

Complete the table below

Answer 12

Question 13

Think about the actions of the following muscles on the vertebral column, and label them on the diagram where present:
Latissimus dorsi
Trapezius
Rhomboids
Levator scapulae

Answer 13

Question 14

Describe the relationship between the direction of the
fibres of the Latissimus dorsi and its contralateral Gluteus maximus

Answer 14

The muscle fibres run in the same direction

The arrangement of fibres in these contralateral muscles via their attachment to the thoracolumbar fascia play an important role in locomotor stability and movement.

Question 15

Describe the action of the following muscles on the vertebral column
a) Psoas
b) Quadratus lumborum
c) Rectus abdominus
d) Transverse and oblique muscles of abdominal wall

Answer 15

Question 16

Describe the action of the muscles listed below on the vertebral column.

Longus colli
Scalene muscles
Sternocleidomastoid

Answer 16

Question 17

Which of the transversospinalis muscles attaches to mammillary processes?

Answer 17

Multifidus

Question 18

How do thoracic and lumbar transverse processes differ in their developmental origin?

Answer 18

Thoracic transverse processes are derived from the neural arch element

Lumbar Transverse processes are derived from the costal element

Question 19

What do you expect the mammillary processes of
the lumbar region to be functionally equivalent to in thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 19

The mamillary processes in the lumbar region (from the neural arch) are equivalent to the thoracic transverse processes

Question 20

Draw a diagram of a typical spinal nerve below, showing the distribution of the dorsal and ventral ramus and connections with the sympathetic trunk.

Answer 20

Question 21

What structures do the dorsal rami innervate?

Answer 21

Intrinsic post-vertebral muscles
Skin of the back (posterior cutaneous branches)

Question 22

What structures do the ventral rami innervate?

Answer 22

Pre-vertebral structures (eg. muscles of the limbs and body wall)
Skin (lateral cutaneous and anterior cutaneous branches)

Question 23

Where are white communicating rami found and why are they white?

Answer 23

Thoracic region (T1 – L2), myelinated
Linked with the sympathetic chain (also only present in the thoracic spine region)

Question 24

What do white communicating rami do?

Answer 24

Carry pre-ganglionic nerve fibres to sympathetic chain from the CNS

Question 25

Where are grey communicating rami found and why are they grey?

Answer 25

Exist at all levels of the spinal cord (C1 to CO1)
Unmyelinated

Question 26

What do grey communicating rami do?

Answer 26

Carry post-ganglionic nerve fibres from sympathetic chain to spinal nerve

Question 27

List the contents of the epidural space

Answer 27

(Outside of the dura, inside of vertebral canal)
Fat
Internal VVP

Question 28

What is the subdural space?

Answer 28

Potential space between dura and arachnoid mater

Question 29

List the contents of the subarachnoid space:

Answer 29

Cerebrospinal fluid

Question 30

At what vertebral level does the subarachnoid space terminate?

Answer 30

S1/S2

Question 31

At what vertebral level does the spinal cord terminate?

Answer 31

L1/L2

Question 32

Why doesn’t the spinal cord extend the full length of the spine as in the embryo?

Answer 32

Spinal cord does not grow as fast as the rest of the body. It stops growing at ~2yo.

Question 33

Damage to the spinal cord at the level of C3 usually causes death. Why?

Answer 33

Loss of phrenic incapacitates diaphragm, preventing breathing

Question 34

Spinal cord segments do not match up horizontally with their associated vertebrae.

Which segments of the spinal cord lie adjacent to the following junctional regions?

a) C7/T1
b) T12/L1
c) L5/S1

Answer 34

a) C8/T1
b) L4/L5
c) Cauda equina, without its lumbar segments

Question 35

Name the structures that surround each intervertebral foramen?

Answer 35