Anatomy of Spine Flashcards
Define the terms lordosis, scoliosis and kyphosis
Lordosis - convex anteriorly
Kyphosis - concave anteriorly
Scoliosis - lateral curvature of the spine
(lord is always first - help to remember order in spine)
What 3 features distinguish cervical vertebrae?
Transverse foramen
Triangular vertebral foramen
Bifid spinous process
- apart from C1 (no spinous process) + C7 (longer spinous process with no bifurcation)
What are the first two atypical cervical vertebrae called?
These can be affected by RA unlike the rest of the spine. Why is that?
C1 - atlas
C2 - axis
They contain synovial fluid
Through what part of the vertebrae does the vertebral artery run to the brain?
Transverse foramen in cervical spine
What part of the spine allows for rotation of the head?
DENS from the axis -> allows for rotation of the atlas and head around it
What do you feel for when examining the spine?
Spinous processes
Ligaments and muscles either side of the spine
What makes up the intervertebral discs?
Outer annulous fibrosis
Inner gelatinous nucleus pulposus
What part of the vertebral arch connects to the vertebral body?
Pedicle
There are 33 vertebrae in the spine. How are they split?
C1-C7 T1-T12 L1-L5 5 sacral - fused 4 coccygeal - fused
What is the first spinous process you can feel in examination?
What is it’s proper name?
C7
Vertebra prominens
Where are the facet joints in the spine?
Between the articular processes
What is found in the posterior arch of vertebrae?
- 2 pedicles
- 2 laminae
- 1 spinous process
- 2 transverse processes
What sits inferiorly to the pedicle in the vertebrae?
Neural foramen - transmits a spinal nerve out
What direction do spinal processes go in thoracic vertebrae?
Same question for lumbar vertebrae?
Thoracic - inferiorly
Lumbar - posteriorly
What is the only vertebrae to not have a triangular vertebral foramen?
Thoracic
What do each of the following mean in regards to the spine:
Spondylolysis
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylitis
Spondylolysis -> type of OA
Spondylolisthesis -> condition involving spine instability
Spondylitis -> inflammation
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?
Supraspinous
Interspinous
Ligamentum flavum
Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
What are the 5 intrinic muscles of the spine?
LEARN WITH ANATOMY COLOURING BOOK
put notes on what ones to know in spinal anatomy
If there was a prolapsed disc between L4/L5, what root is most likely to be affected if the rupture was:
Laterally
Paracentrally
Laterally - L4 exiting nerve
Paraecentral - L5 returning nerve
Look at onenote if confused
At what level in the lumbar spine does the spinal cord finish?
L1/2
What is the outermost covering of the spinal cord?
Dura mater
What is the path that an epidural needle will take when trying to collect CSF starting with skin
Skin Supraspinous ligament Interspinous ligament Ligamentum flavum Subdural space Epidural space Subarachnoid space
