Anatomy of Back, Spine and Spinal Cord Flashcards
muscle and nerve
- levator scapulae
- dorsal scapular nerve
name the 3 erector spinae muscles lateral to medial
inferior attachment of erector spinae muscles
common tendon attaches to the sacrum and iliac crest
Transversospinalis
deep muscles of the back. group of short muscles attached to transverse and spinous proceses
what muscles are involved in extending the spine
intrinsic muscles (erector spinae and Transversospinalis)
- erector spinae contracts bi or uni laterally
which muscles are involved in flexion of the spine
psoas major and rectus abdominus (eg sit up)
what are the 1y and 2y curvatures of the spine
- intervertebral foramen
- facet joint
- intervertebral discs
what is found in the intervertebral foramen
mixed spinal nerve
what is the facet joint formed between
articular processes of adjacent vertebrae
they are synovial joints and can be affected by arthritis
what is the purpose of the inner nucleus pulopsos
to allow flexibility and protection
what do the ligamentum flavum connect
adjacent laminae posterior to the spinal cord
what to the posterior and anterior longitudinal ligaments prevent
over flexion and over extension, respectively
which of the posterior or anterior longitudinal ligaments is stronger
anterior - broad and strong, stronger support for disc
posterior is narrow and weak
supraspinous ligament
- connects tip of spinous processes
- strong
interspinous ligament
- weak and membranous
name 3 features of teh cervical vertebrae
- Triangular vertebral foramen (normally round)
- Bifid spinous process
- Transverse foramen
what are the transverse foramen in the cervical vertebrae for
passage of vertebral arteries
C1 features
no body or spinous process (posterior arch may look like spinous process on x ray)
what type of joints are the intervertebral discs
2y cartilaginous
note, the posterior arch of C1 looks like the spinous processes of C2-8
what is subluxation
a partial dislocation
where is caudal anaesthesia injected
into the sacral hiatus to anaesthetise the sacral spinal nerve roots of the cauda equina
where does the spinal cord begin
at the foramen magnum, it is continuous with the medulla oblongata
where does the spinal cord end
around vertebral level L1/2, conus medullaris/terminalis
what is the function of epidural fat
main function is a shock absorbed
laminectomy
- 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
