Anatomy of Spinal Column Flashcards

1
Q

Function of spinal column

A
protect spinal cord and nerves
support weight of body
rigid/flexible axis for body
pivot for head
posture and locomotion
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2
Q

What is the spinal column composed of

A
Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar
Sacral
Coccygeal
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3
Q

How many cervical vertebrae

A

7

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4
Q

How many thoracic vertebrae

A

12

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5
Q

How many lumbar vertebrae

A

5

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6
Q

How many sacral vertebrae

A

5 (Fused)

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7
Q

How many coccygeal bones

A

4 (variable) fused

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8
Q

How many Vertebrae total in human

A

33

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9
Q

How do some anatomist describe the spinal column

A

26 separate bones (24 movable + sacrum +coccyx)

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10
Q

Why are spinal curves good

A

Better ability to withstand stress

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11
Q

What are the primary curvatures

A
  1. thoracic kyphosis
  2. sacral kyphosis
    Convex posterioly
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12
Q

What are the secondary curvatures

A
  1. cervical lordosis
  2. lumbar lordosis
    Convex anteriorly
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13
Q

When and why are secondary curves developed

A

Developed later in life due to our posture

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14
Q

Which come first, cervical or lumbar lordosis

A

Cervical

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15
Q

What are the features of a TYPICAL vertebrae

A
  1. body
  2. pedicles
  3. laminae
  4. vertebral/neural arch
  5. vertebral foramen (spinal canal)
  6. spinous process
  7. transverse process
  8. superior + inferior articular process
  9. superior + inferior vertebral notches
  10. intervertebral foramen (between 2 vertebrae)
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16
Q

What are the regional characteristics of a typical cervical vertebrae

A
  1. bifid spinous process
  2. presence of the transverse process foramina
  3. anterior + posterior tubercles on TP
  4. Large V. foramen
  5. uncinate process (uncus) (upper body)
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17
Q

Why do cervical vertebrae exhibit several different directions of movement?

A

articular processes and position of articular facets of cervical vertebra are closest to the transverse anatomical plane

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18
Q

What are the atypical cervical vetebrae

A

Atlas (C1)
Axix (C2)
vertebra prominens (C7)

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19
Q

What are the characteristics of C1

A

anterior arch
posterior arch
anterior and posterior tubercles on TP
lateral masses
superior articular surfaces (condyles) make joint with occipital bone
articular surface for dens on anterior arch
groove for vertebral artery

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20
Q

What are the characteristics of C2

A
Dens axis (odontoid process)
two facets on dens axis: anterior- joint between dens and anterior arch of atlas
posterior: transverse ligament of axis
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21
Q

What makes C7 different

A

longest spinous process which is easily palpated on the posterior surface of neck

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22
Q

What group of THORACIC vertebrae are the most typical

A

T5-T8

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23
Q

What are the characteristics of a typical THORACIC vertebrae

A
  • large heart shaped Vertebral body
  • long/point spinous process
  • circular VF
  • TP easily palpable
  • facet joints are directed downward
  • Costal facets- two half facets on body (ribs) ; one whole facet on TP (ribs)
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24
Q

What movement is generally seen in thoracic vertebrae

A

rotation

some extension/flexion

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25
Q

What at the ATYPICAL thoracic Vertebrae

A

T1, T10, T11, T12

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26
Q

What are the characteristics of T1

A
  • body- one full facet for the 1st rib, two 1/2 facet for head of Rib2
  • TP has full facet for Rib1
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27
Q

What are the characteristics of T10

A
  • one 1/2 facet on superior margin of vertebral body

- TP may/maynot have the facet for Rib10

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28
Q

What are the characteristics of T11 & T12

A
  • Each has full facet on body for ribs 11 + 12
  • lack facets on TP
  • Spinous process- short and rectangular ( more lumbar)
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29
Q

What are the characteristics of a Lumbar vertebrae

A
  • largest vertebral bodies (kidney shaped)
  • short
  • regtangular and horizonatlly oriented spinous process
  • two additional processes : mammillary and accessory
  • facet joints are directed medially and vertically
  • no costal facets
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30
Q

What are the position and orientation of facets on articular processes

A

approx the sagittal plane

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31
Q

What is the principle movement allowed by the sagittal plane?

A

flexion/extension
some lateral flexion
no rotation

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32
Q

Atypical LUMBAR verterbea

A

L5

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33
Q

What are the characteristics of L5

A

Wedge shaped body, which is thicker anteriorly than posteriorly

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34
Q

Why is the body of L5 wedge shaped

A

to accomodate the transition of lumbar spin to sacrum (which is nearly horizontal)

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35
Q

What are the characteristics of the PELVIC surface of sacrum

A
  • transverse lines
  • sacral pelvic foramina
  • base of the sacrum
  • apex
  • ala
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36
Q

What are the characteristics of the DORSAL surface of the sacrum

A
  • dorsal sacral foramina
  • medial, intermediat and lateral sacral crests
  • sacral canal as continuation of spinal canal
  • sacral hiatus
  • sacral conua
  • auricular surface
  • sacral tuberosity
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37
Q

What is in the sacral canal

A

spinal sacral nerves

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38
Q

What is the auricular surface of the sacrum for

A

sacro-iliac joint

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39
Q

what is the sacral tuberosity for?

A

attachment of ligaments that reingorce the sacro-iliac joint

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40
Q

What is the coccyx composed of?

A

4 coccygeal segments

coccygeal cornua

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41
Q

What are the two types of ossification centers?

A

primary and secondary

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42
Q

How many osssification centers are on the vertebrae

A

8

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43
Q

Where are the ossification centers located

A

Primary: on the body, on the pedicles
secondary: Transverse process, spinous process, and the superior and inferior surface of the body

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44
Q

How would one write out LUMBARIZATION

A

7C + 12T + 5L + 1S + S(4) + Co

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45
Q

How would one write out SACRALIZATION

A

7C + 12T + 4L + L5 on S + S + Co

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46
Q

What is LUMBARIZATION

A

when an extra sacral bone is fused to lumbar instead of sacrum

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47
Q

How many intervertebral discs are there

A

23

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48
Q

What is an anterior intervertebral joint

A

joints between bodies of adjoining vertebrae

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49
Q

What is an intervertebral disc made of

A

nucleus pulposus

annylus fibrosus

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50
Q

What is a nucleus pulposus

A

gelatinous central core of disc, attracts water

highly elastic

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51
Q

What is a annulus fibrosus

A

an external ring of fibrous tissue

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52
Q

What sections of the spine dont have an intervertebral disc?

A

occipital bone-axis

atlas-axis

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53
Q

What are the functions of the intervertebral disc

A

resistance to compression

connection between vertebral bodies

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54
Q

What are the steps in an intervertebral disc herniation

A

protrusion
prolaps
extrusion (sequestration of extruded discs)

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55
Q

Describe the anterior longitudinal ligament

A

wider than posterior long. ligament
attached to anterior surface of Vertebral body
resists extensions of spinal column
maintain joint stability

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56
Q

describe the posterior longitudina ligament

A

narrow, band-like within the spinal column
attached to posterior surface of vertebral bodies
prevent posterior protrusion of nucleus pulposis of disc
resists flexion of spinal column

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57
Q

What are posterior intervertebral joints

A

joints between superior and inferior articular processes between adjoining vertebrae

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58
Q

What type of movement is allowed in the cervical spine

A

flexion/extension
lateral flexion (side bending)
rotation

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59
Q

What type of movement is allowed in the Thoracic spine

A

rotation

limited flexion/extension

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60
Q

What type of movement is allowed in the lumbar spine

A

flexion /extension

lateral flexion

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61
Q

What are the four ligaments of the posterior intervertebral joints

A

Ligamentum flavum
Interspinous ligament
Intertransversarii ligaments
Supraspinous ligaments

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62
Q

What happens to the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments superior to C7?

A

Merge fibers, then follow nuchal ligament to occipital bone

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63
Q

What are the important characteristics of the occipital bone

A
basilar portion (squama)
foramen magnum
codyles of the occipital bone
external occipital protuberance
superior and inferior nuchal lines
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64
Q

Where is the atlanto-occipital joint? And what movement does it allow

A

between the occipital bone and atlas

permits flexion/extension

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65
Q

Where is the atlanto axial joint? and what movement does it allow

A

between the atlas and axis

allows rotation

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66
Q

What is the tectorial membrane

A

upward continuation of posterior longitudinal ligament, superior to C2

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67
Q

What is the Cruciate ligament

A

composed of two individual bands; Transverse ligament, attached to atlas,
superior/inferior band attach to the margin of Foramen Magnum and to posterior surface of C2

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68
Q

what is the alar ligament

A

dens to lateral margin of foramen magnum

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69
Q

what is the apical ligaments

A

dens axis to foramen magnum

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70
Q

What are the tree groups if intrinsic muscle of the spinal cord

A
  1. spinotransverse
  2. sacrospinalis
  3. transversospinalis
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71
Q

Where is the spinotransverse located

A

superficially

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72
Q

where is the sacrospinalis located

A

middle

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73
Q

where is the transversospinalis located

A

deep

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74
Q

Where do the fibers in the spinotransverse group run

A

fibers run from spinous process to the transverse process

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75
Q

What muscle(s) are in the spinotransverse group

A

Splenius capitis

Splenius cervicis

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76
Q

What is the O and I of Splenius capitis

A

O: Spinous process of C7-T4 and ligamentm nuchae
I: lateral third of the superior nuchal line and mastoid process

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77
Q

What is the O and I of the Splenius cervicis

A

O: spinous process of T3 to T6 vertebrae
I: posterior tuberles of TVPs of vertebrae C1-C4

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78
Q

What is the nerve contolling the splenius carvicis

A

dorsal rami of cervical cerves

79
Q

what is the action of the splenius cervicis

A

lateral flexion of the head and neck and heat rotation (unilateral contraction)
extension of the head and neck (bilateral contraction)

80
Q

What three muscles are in the Erector spinae group

A
  1. iliocostalis muscle
  2. longissimus muscle
  3. spinalis muscle
81
Q

What are the common origins for the erector spinae group

A

iliac crest,
posterior surface of sacrum
thoracolumbar fascia
spinous processes of lumbar and lower thoracic vertebrae

82
Q

What three muscles are part of the iliocostalis group

A

iliocostalis lumborum
iliocostalis thoracis
iliocostalis cervicis

83
Q

What three muscles are part of the longissimus group

A

longissimus thoracis
longissimus cervicis
longissimus capitis

84
Q

What three muscles are part of the spinalis group

A

spinalis thoracis
spinalis cervicis
spinalis capitis

85
Q

All three columns of the erector spinare are innervated by what?

A

Posterior rami of spinal nerves

86
Q

What does unilateral contraction of the erector spinae group lead to

A

lateral flexion of the spine

87
Q

what does bilateral contraction of the erector spinae lead to

A

extension of the spinal column

88
Q

What three muscles are in the Transversospinalis group?

A
  1. semispinalis
  2. multidifi
  3. Rotatores (short and long)
89
Q

What are the three muscles in the semispinalis group

A

semispinalis thoracis
semispinalis cervicis
semispinalis capitis

90
Q

Where does the semispinalis capitis insert?

A

On the occipital bone between the superior and inferior nuchal lines

91
Q

How many vertebrae to semispinalis muscles generally pass over

A

5

92
Q

What does bilateral contraction of the semispinalis muscles do

A

extrends the spinal column

93
Q

what does unilateral contraction of the semispinalis group do

A

contralateral rotation

94
Q

Where do multidifi muscles arise from

A

vetebral (neural) arches and go to spinous processes of vertebrae 2-3 levels up

95
Q

What direction do the multidifi travel

A

same as semispinalis

96
Q

What does bilateral contraction of the multidifi result in

A

extension of the spinal column

97
Q

what does unilateral contraction of the multidifi result in

A

contralateral rotation

98
Q

Where do long rotatores arise from

A

the transverse processes or vertebral arches

99
Q

Where do the long rotatores insert

A

on the spinous processes of vetebrae 2 levels above

100
Q

Where do short rotatores arise from

A

transverse processes of vertebral arches

101
Q

Where do short rotatores insert

A

on the spinous processes of the next vertebra above

102
Q

What is the action of rotatores

A

stabilization of the spinal colum

contralateral rotation

103
Q

What are two types of segmental muscles

A

interspinous

intertransverse

104
Q

Where is an interspinous segemental muscle

A

between spinous processes of asjoining vertebear

105
Q

Where is an intertransverse segmental muscle

A

between transverse processes of adjoining vertebrae

106
Q

Where are intertransverse muscles important

A

on the cervical spinal comumn

107
Q

What does unilateral contraction of the intertransverse muscle result in

A

lateral flexion

108
Q

what does bilateral contraction of the intertransverse muscle help with

A

extension of the spine

109
Q

How many levator costarum muscles are there

A

12

110
Q

What is the attachment of the levator costarum muscle

A

upper- transverse process of C7

lowest- transverse process of T11

111
Q

Where does the levator costarum insert

A

on the ribs between ribls angle and tubercle

112
Q

What is the action of the levator costarum

A

elevate ribs

113
Q

What are the four subooccipital muscles

A

rectus capitis posterior major
rectus capitis posterior minor
obliquus capitis superior
obliquus capitis inferior

114
Q

Rectus capitis posterior muscles are mainly what?

A

postural muscles

115
Q

Where may the contraction of the rectus capitis posterior muscle extend

A

to the head at the atlantooccipital joint or ipsilateral rotation of the head

116
Q

Is ipsilateral rotation bilataral or unilateral

A

unilateral contraction

117
Q

What kind of joint contraction is the atlanto ooccipital joint

A

bilateral contraction

118
Q

Innervation for the suboccipital muscles is through where?

A

the dorsal ramus of C1 nerve

119
Q

Which three muscles make the suboccipital triangle

A

rectus capitis posterior major
obliquus capitis superior
obliquus capitis inferior

120
Q

What is the floor of the suboccipital triangle formed of

A

posterior occipito-atlantal membrane, and the posterior arch of the atlas.

121
Q

What are in the in the deep groove on the upper surface of the posterior arch of the atlas

A

vertebral artery and the first cervical or suboccipital nerve.

122
Q

What are the contents of the suboccipital triangle

A

1) Third part of vertebral artery
2) Dorsal ramus of nerve C1-suboccipital nerve
3) Suboccipital venous plexus

123
Q

What do the vertebral arteries branch from

A

subclavian arteries

124
Q

What do the subclavian arteries (that the vertebral arteries branch from) merge to form

A

basilar artery

125
Q

Abdominal wall muscles will be used to flex what part of the spinal column

A

lumbar portion

126
Q

How is flexion caused tin the cervial spine

A

sternocleidomastiod muscle

127
Q

The group of muscles that flexes the head and neck are innervated by what

A

anterior rami of cervical nerves

128
Q

What is the ORIGIN of the sternocleidomastoid muscle

A

(superior) mastoid process of temporal bone and lateral portion of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone

129
Q

What is the INSERTION of the sternocleidomastoid bone

A

(inferior) sternal head to the upper portion of the sternal manubrium
clavicular head to the medial third of the clavicle

130
Q

What is the ACTION of the sternocleidomastiod muscle

A

Bilateral contraction- flexes the neck

Unilateral contraction- bring mastoid process forward and closer to the sternoclavicular joint

131
Q

How is the sternocleidomastoid muscle INNERVATED

A

through the cranial nerve 11 (CN XI- accessory nerve) but through its spinal roots

132
Q

What are the four prevertebral muscles

A
  1. longus colli muscle
  2. longus capitis muscle
  3. rectus capitis anterior
  4. rectus capitis lateralis
133
Q

Where are the rectus capitis anterior and lateralis located

A

between the skull and spinal cord

134
Q

Describe the rectus capitis anterior and lateralis

A

small, postural muscles

minimal flexion of head

135
Q

scribe the weight distribution on the spinal canal

A

80%- anterior intervertebral joints

20% posterior (articular processes ) intervertebral joints

136
Q

What are the two types of joints

A

FUNCTIONAL AND STRUCTURAL

137
Q

What are the functional joints

A

synarthroses
amphiarthoses
diarthroses

138
Q

What are the structural joints

A

fibrous
cartilaginous
synovial (fluid)

139
Q

Describe spina bifida occulta

A

Mostly harmless
Neural tube does not fuse properly leaving a hole
outside on skin hair is usually surrounding area

140
Q

Describe spina bifida cystica

A

CSF bubble is outside hole where the neural tube failed to fuse
two types
1- no nervous system displacement, just a herinated meningocoela, nervs remain inside neural tube.
2- paralyzation- meningomyelocoela, nerves are outside the neural tube

141
Q

How do nerves pass to the exterior of the spinal column

A

intervertebral foramina

142
Q

The movable vertebrae are connected by what 3 things

A

intervertebral disc
facet joints
longitudinal ligaments

143
Q

What do intervertebral discs do

A

joints between adjacent vertebral bodies

act as fibrous shock absorbers

144
Q

What do facet joints do

A

joints between adjacent vertebral arches

prevent displacement and allow movement

145
Q

What do longitudinal ligaments do

A

prevent hyper-flexion or extension

146
Q

What is Occipitalization of C1

A

C1 becomes fused with the base of the skull

147
Q

What is Sacralization of L5

A

L5 is incorporated into sacrum

148
Q

What is Lumbarization of S1

A

S1 is separated from sacrum, but is fused with L5

as a result, the first normal articulation bears the body weight

149
Q

What is kyphosis

A

excessive posterior curvature

150
Q

What is lordosis

A

excess anterior curvature

151
Q

What is Scoliosis

A

lateral curvature (usually in thoracic region)

152
Q

Describe the body of the vertebrae

A
  • cylindrical for support of weight

- bodies become progressively larger to support more weight

153
Q

What are the two main parts of the vertebral arch and their purpose

A

pedicle and laminae to protec the neural tissue

154
Q

What id the function of Articular Processes

A

prevent displacement

155
Q

What id the purpose of Spinous and Transverse Processes

A

movement

156
Q

The sacrum consists of how many fused vertebrae

A

5

157
Q

what is the product of the fusion of the spinous processes in the sacrum

A

median sacral crest

158
Q

What is the lateral sacral crest

A

fused transverse processes

159
Q

How many vertebral foramina are there on the sacrum

A

4

160
Q

What is the sacral promontory and where is it located

A

an important obstetrical landmark
to measure A-P width of pelvic inlet
fetal head must pass through
located on the anterior edge of S1

161
Q

What is the sacral hiatus

A

can be palpated at superior part of natal cleft
filled with fatty connective tissue
leads into the sacral canal (inferior end of vertebral canal)
a landmark for epidural anesthesia

162
Q

Where does the aorta divide

A

L4

163
Q

Where do the common iliac arteries divide

A

sacro iliac joints

164
Q

Where can the top of the coccyx be palpated

A

natal cleft

165
Q

Where can the anterior surface of coccyx be palpated?

A

rectally

166
Q

What is produced when an injury to the coccyx

A

coccydinia

167
Q

Are joints between vertebral bodies cartilagenous or synovial

A

cartilaginous

168
Q

What are the articulating surfaces of the vertebral body covered by

A

hyaline cartilage

169
Q

Are joints between arches cartilagenous or synovial

A

synovial

170
Q

What is the ligamentum flavum

A

discontinuous ligament joining anterior surfaces of adjacent laminae
within vertebral canal

171
Q

What is the interspinous ligament

A

joins adjacent spinous processes

172
Q

What is the supraspinous ligament

A

from tip to tip of spinous processes

173
Q

Describe Facet Joints

A

between inf. and sup. articular processes of adjacent vertebrae
synovial
articular facets covered by hyaline cartilage
joint surrounded by fibrous capsule
cervical region are the most mobile

174
Q

What is the function of a facet joint

A

permit gliding movements between vertebrae (flexion & extension)
limit rotation between adjacent vertebrae
limit displacement between adjacent vertebrae

175
Q

What is the orientation of a cervical facet

A

horizontal

176
Q

What is the orientation of a thoracic facet

A

downward and posterior

177
Q

what is the orientation of a lumbar facet

A

vertical and sagittal

178
Q

When does Spondylolisthesis occur

A

“obstructive” function of articular processes is lost
defect is in pedicles of lumbar vertebrae
whole vertebral column is carried anteriorly

179
Q

What happens in Nerve Root Irritation

A

facet joints are related posteriorly to intervertebral foramina
joint injury or disease can affect spinal nerves

180
Q

What are some mechanisms of nerve root irritation

A

overgrowth of bone
facet dislocation
joint inflammation

181
Q

What factors contribute to intervertebral disc injury

A

age

forces (twisting, rapid deceleration, loads)

182
Q

Where do the majority of disc injurys occur

A

lumbar-sacral levels
mobile part of spine meets a relatively immobile part
Posterolaterally.

183
Q

Cause of symptoms in disc herniation

A

local tissue trauma & inflammation
pressure on spinal nerve
pressure on cervical/thoracic cord or cauda equina

184
Q

Typical symptoms of disc herination

A
lumbago
sciata
muscle spasm and rigidity
listing (favoring away from injury)
motor or sensory loss
185
Q

What are the effects of Compression of the L5 Nerve Root

A

impaired dorsiflexion of foot
impaired extension of toes or big toe
loss of or impaired sensation on dorsum of foot
no change in strength of ankle jerk reflex

186
Q

What are the effects of Compression of the S1 Nerve Root

A

impaired plantarflexion of foot
impaired eversion of foot
loss of or impaired sensation on lateral side of foot
loss or weakness of ankle jerk reflex

187
Q

Why does movement vary from person to person

A

thickness and compressibility of intervertebral discs
muscle resistance
tension of capsule around facet joint
strength of associated ligaments

188
Q

what are some injurys due to injuries due to excessive movement

A

dislocation
disk herniation
fracture-dislocation

189
Q

Describe Pure Dislocations

A

commonly in cervical region
typically between C5/C6 or C6/C7
unilateral or bilateral

190
Q

C5/C6 dislocation

A

diminished elbow flexion
diminished wrist extension
diminished brachioradialis reflex
sensory loss on distal lateral arm and hand

191
Q

C6/C7 dislocation

A
diminished elbow extension
diminished wrist flexion
diminished finger extension
diminished triceps tendon reflex
sensory loss on middle finger and hand
192
Q

Fractures of vertebral column commonly occur because

A

sudden forceful flex

falling from height onto top of head

193
Q

What happens in Fracture Dislocations

A

caused by excessive flexion-compression injury

-causes tearing of ligaments