Anatomy of Back, Spine and Spinal Cord

Question 1

muscle and nerve

Answer 1

• levator scapulae
• dorsal scapular nerve

Question 2

name the 3 erector spinae muscles lateral to medial

Answer 2

Question 3

inferior attachment of erector spinae muscles

Answer 3

common tendon attaches to the sacrum and iliac crest

Question 4

Transversospinalis

Answer 4

deep muscles of the back. group of short muscles attached to transverse and spinous proceses

Question 5

Answer 5

Question 6

Answer 6

Question 7

what muscles are involved in extending the spine

Answer 7

intrinsic muscles (erector spinae and Transversospinalis)

• erector spinae contracts bi or uni laterally

Question 8

which muscles are involved in flexion of the spine

Answer 8

psoas major and rectus abdominus (eg sit up)

Question 9

what are the 1y and 2y curvatures of the spine

Answer 9

Question 10

Answer 10

• intervertebral foramen
• facet joint
• intervertebral discs

Question 11

what is found in the intervertebral foramen

Answer 11

mixed spinal nerve

Question 12

what is the facet joint formed between

Answer 12

articular processes of adjacent vertebrae

they are synovial joints and can be affected by arthritis

Question 13

what is the purpose of the inner nucleus pulopsos

Answer 13

to allow flexibility and protection

Question 14

what do the ligamentum flavum connect

Answer 14

adjacent laminae posterior to the spinal cord

Question 15

Answer 15

Question 16

what to the posterior and anterior longitudinal ligaments prevent

Answer 16

over flexion and over extension, respectively

Question 17

which of the posterior or anterior longitudinal ligaments is stronger

Answer 17

anterior - broad and strong, stronger support for disc

posterior is narrow and weak

Question 18

Answer 18

Question 19

supraspinous ligament

Answer 19

• connects tip of spinous processes
• strong

Question 20

interspinous ligament

Answer 20

• weak and membranous

Question 21

name 3 features of teh cervical vertebrae

Answer 21

• Triangular vertebral foramen (normally round)
• Bifid spinous process
• Transverse foramen

Question 22

what are the transverse foramen in the cervical vertebrae for

Answer 22

passage of vertebral arteries

Question 23

C1 features

Answer 23

no body or spinous process (posterior arch may look like spinous process on x ray)

Question 24

what type of joints are the intervertebral discs

Answer 24

2y cartilaginous

Question 25

Answer 25

note, the posterior arch of C1 looks like the spinous processes of C2-8

Question 26

what is subluxation

Answer 26

a partial dislocation

Question 27

where is caudal anaesthesia injected

Answer 27

into the sacral hiatus to anaesthetise the sacral spinal nerve roots of the cauda equina

Question 28

where does the spinal cord begin

Answer 28

at the foramen magnum, it is continuous with the medulla oblongata

Question 29

where does the spinal cord end

Answer 29

around vertebral level L1/2, conus medullaris/terminalis

Question 30

what is the function of epidural fat

Answer 30

main function is a shock absorbed

Question 31

laminectomy

Answer 31

• used to acces spinal canal to relieve pressure on spinal cord/nerve roots
• posterior exposure of spinal cord
• removal of one or more spinous processes and the adjacent lamina