Anatomy of Spine

Question 1

Define the terms lordosis, scoliosis and kyphosis

Answer 1

Lordosis - convex anteriorly
Kyphosis - concave anteriorly
Scoliosis - lateral curvature of the spine

(lord is always first - help to remember order in spine)

Question 2

What 3 features distinguish cervical vertebrae?

Answer 2

Transverse foramen
Triangular vertebral foramen
Bifid spinous process
- apart from C1 (no spinous process) + C7 (longer spinous process with no bifurcation)

Question 3

What are the first two atypical cervical vertebrae called?

These can be affected by RA unlike the rest of the spine. Why is that?

Answer 3

C1 - atlas
C2 - axis

They contain synovial fluid

Question 4

Through what part of the vertebrae does the vertebral artery run to the brain?

Answer 4

Transverse foramen in cervical spine

Question 5

What part of the spine allows for rotation of the head?

Answer 5

DENS from the axis -> allows for rotation of the atlas and head around it

Question 6

What do you feel for when examining the spine?

Answer 6

Spinous processes

Ligaments and muscles either side of the spine

Question 7

What makes up the intervertebral discs?

Answer 7

Outer annulous fibrosis

Inner gelatinous nucleus pulposus

Question 8

What part of the vertebral arch connects to the vertebral body?

Answer 8

Pedicle

Question 9

There are 33 vertebrae in the spine. How are they split?

Answer 9

C1-C7
T1-T12
L1-L5
5 sacral - fused
4 coccygeal - fused

Question 10

What is the first spinous process you can feel in examination?

What is it’s proper name?

Answer 10

C7

Vertebra prominens

Question 11

Where are the facet joints in the spine?

Answer 11

Between the articular processes

Question 12

What is found in the posterior arch of vertebrae?

Answer 12

• 2 pedicles
• 2 laminae
• 1 spinous process
• 2 transverse processes

Question 13

What sits inferiorly to the pedicle in the vertebrae?

Answer 13

Neural foramen - transmits a spinal nerve out

Question 14

What direction do spinal processes go in thoracic vertebrae?

Same question for lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 14

Thoracic - inferiorly

Lumbar - posteriorly

Question 15

What is the only vertebrae to not have a triangular vertebral foramen?

Answer 15

Thoracic

Question 16

What do each of the following mean in regards to the spine:
Spondylolysis
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylitis

Answer 16

Spondylolysis -> type of OA
Spondylolisthesis -> condition involving spine instability
Spondylitis -> inflammation

Question 17

What three ligaments must be punctured through to perform a lumbar puncture of spinal cord fluid?

What are the other 2 ligaments support the vertebral column and are important to know about?

Answer 17

Supraspinous
Interspinous
Ligamentum flavum

Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments

Question 18

What are the 5 intrinic muscles of the spine?

Answer 18

LEARN WITH ANATOMY COLOURING BOOK

put notes on what ones to know in spinal anatomy

Question 19

If there was a prolapsed disc between L4/L5, what root is most likely to be affected if the rupture was:
Laterally
Paracentrally

Answer 19

Laterally - L4 exiting nerve
Paraecentral - L5 returning nerve

Look at onenote if confused

Question 20

At what level in the lumbar spine does the spinal cord finish?

Answer 20

L1/2

Question 21

What is the outermost covering of the spinal cord?

Answer 21

Dura mater

Question 22

What is the path that an epidural needle will take when trying to collect CSF starting with skin

Answer 22

Skin 
Supraspinous ligament
Interspinous ligament
Ligamentum flavum
Subdural space
Epidural space
Subarachnoid space