Anatomy Of L Spine

Question 1

There are ___ lumbar vertebrae

Answer 1

5

Question 2

The L-spine has a _____ curve

Answer 2

Lordotic

Question 3

The lumbar vertebrae are the ____ (largest/smallest)

Answer 3

Largest

Question 4

True/false: the intervertebral disks are prone to injury as the lumbar spine supports the entire weight of the torso

Answer 4

True

Question 5

Typical lumbar vertebrae

Answer 5

• spinous process is bulky, blunt (looks like a paddle) and points posteriorly
• transverse process is small in comparison to size of the vertebra itself
• the laminae form a bridge between the transverse processes, lateral masses, and the spinous process
• the portion of the laminae between the superior and inferior articular processes is called the pars interarticularis

Question 6

Similar to the thoracic vertebrae, the intervertebral foramina sit at ____ degrees from the MSP and are visualized on a ____ image

Answer 6

90 degrees, seen on a lateral image

Question 7

The zygapophyseal joints are ____ degrees from the MSP and are visualized on _____ images of the ____ spine

Answer 7

30-50, oblique images, lumbar spine