Anatomy of the back Flashcards

1
Q

What type of joint is a ZYGAPOPHYSEAL JOINT?

A

Facet joints
sinovial, plane joints
sits between articulate processes of adjacent vertebrae

innervated by RECURRENT MENINGEAL NERVES

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2
Q

What type of joint is an INTERVERTEBRAL JOINT?

A

lies between adjacent vertebrae in vertebral column

acts as a ligament holding the vertebrae together

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3
Q

What type of joint is a COSTOVERTEBRAL JOINT?

A

connect the rib to the vertebral column

ARTICULATION: connects head of rib to bodies of thoracic spinal column

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4
Q

What is the coccyx formed of?

A

vestigial vertebrae that are fused together

most commonly contains 2-3 segments

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5
Q

What is Luschka’s joint?

A

Located at C3-C7
Type of uncovertebral joint
common point for bone spurs and degeneration

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6
Q

What are articular processes?

A

= zygapophyses

projections of vertebra that fit with adjacent vertebra

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7
Q

What is a lamina?

A

plate or layer

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8
Q

What is a pedicle?

A

a bone which connects lamina to the vertebral body

Connection is known as a ‘vertebral arch’

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9
Q

What is the spinal canal?

A

cavity which contains the spinal cord within the vertebral column

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10
Q

What is a spinous process?

A

bony projection off of the posterior vertebra

This the site of attachment for muscles and ligaments

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11
Q

What is a transverse foramen?

A

Present in cervical vertebrae

cavity through which the vertebra and artery pass

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12
Q

What is an uncinate process?

A

hook-shaped

on posterolateral borders of superior surface for C3-C7

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13
Q

What is a transverse process?

A

lateral process of vertebra

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14
Q

What is the vertebral body?

A

thick, oval segment of bone

forms the centrum

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15
Q

What is the centrum?

A

front face of vertebra

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16
Q

What is the primary curvature (of spine)

A

Thoracic and Sacral

forms during foetal development

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17
Q

What is the secondary curvature (of spine)?

A

Cervical and lumbar
develops after birth
Cervical develops as infant begins to hold up their own head

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18
Q

What are the main vertebral levels?

A
C1 atlas
C2 axis
C3-C6
C7 - prominent spinous process
T1-T12 thoracic
L1-L5 lumbar
Sacrum
Coccyx
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19
Q

What are the main distinguishing features of cervical vertebrae?

A

BODY: smaller
SPINOUS PROCESS: bifid = bifurcates at its distal end
TRANSVERSE PROCESS: transverse foramina through which vertebral arteries travel to brain
ARTICULAR FACETS: cup-shaped or planar
VERTEBRAL CANAL: triangular

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20
Q

What is different about the spinous processes of C1 and C7?

A

C1: no spinous processes

C7: longer spinous process and may not bifurcate

21
Q

What are the main distinguishing features of thoracic vertebrae?

A

BODY: medium sized
SPINOUS PROCESS: orientated obliquely, inferiorly and posteriorly
TRANSVERSE PROCESS: costal facets articulates with shaft of 1st rib
ARTICULAR FACETS: demi-facets
VEREBRAL CANAL: circular

22
Q

What are the main distinguishing features of lumbar vertebra?

A

BODY: largest and kidney shaped
SPINOUS PROCESS: shorter than that of thoracic vertebra
TRANSVERSE PROCESS: no transverse foramina
ARTICULAR FACETS: no costal facets
VERTEBRAL CANAL: triangular

23
Q

What is kyphosis?

A

abnormal excessive CONVEX THORACIC + SACRAL curvature

24
Q

What is Lordosis?

A

abnormal inward CONCAVE lordotic curving

25
Q

What is Scoliosis?

A

sideways curvature of spine

26
Q

Where does rotation mainly occur in the spine?

A

cervical

upper thoracic spine

27
Q

What actions are mediated mainly by C1-2?

A

nodding
rotation
of head

28
Q

Where does flexion and extension mainly occur in the spine?

A

cervical and lumbar spine

29
Q

Where does lateral flexion mainly occur in the spine?

A

all regions

but more cervical and lumbar

30
Q

What is the vertebra prominens

A

@ C7: prominent spinal process which can be palpated at base of neck

function: supports skull, enabling rotation and nodding movements
also protects spinal cord

31
Q

What is the significance of the transverse foramina of cervical vertebrae?

A

occupies in C1-C6
not C7 (even though it contains spinous process)
8 cranial nerves

32
Q

What is the composition of the sacrum?

A

5 fused vertebra

33
Q

What is the median sacral crest?

A

fused sacral spinous processes

34
Q

What is the blood supply to the venous column?

A

single anterior spinal artery (ASA)
ASA comes from vertebral arteries (from subclavian). It travels caudally down the spinal cord via the anterior sulcus. ASA supplies anterior 2/3 of spinal cord

2x posterior spinal arteries (PSA)
PSA is a branch o the posterior inferior cerebellar artery or pre-atlantal vertebral arteries which travel down via the (2x) posterior sulci. PSA supplies posterior 1/3 of spinal cord

35
Q

What is the venous drainage of the spinal cord?

A

1x anterior spinal vein and 1x posterior vein
becomes internal vertebral venous plexus -> external plexus -> azygos vein -> IVC

Same drainage as lung, breast and prostate
(hence risk of mets)

36
Q

What is the function of the cruciform ligament?

A

holds posterior ‘dens’ of C2 in articulation @ atlanto-axial joint

37
Q

What is the function of the Alar ligaments?

A

limits the amount of rotation in the head

Also attaches the skull to the axis (C1)

38
Q

Why is the Ligamentum Flava yellowish in colour? What does it connect?

A

high [elastin]
connects 2 adjacent vertebrae via laminae and fuses with the facet joint capsules
provides sheath covering over spinal cord

39
Q

Where are the vertebral end-plates located?

A

this is a thin plate of cartilage

covers the lower and upper surfaces of the vertebral bodies

40
Q

What proportion of the length of the spine is made up of discs?

A

25%

height of discs declines with age

41
Q

What is the function of the nucleus pulposus?

A

= inner core of vertebral disc
made up of a jelly-like inner structure (elastin , loose collagen)
allows vertebral disc to withstand forces of compression and torsion

42
Q

Which disc is most commonly affected in disc herniation?

A

95% are at either L4-5 or L5-S1

caused by disc regeneration

43
Q

What is the function of the erector spinae muscle?

A

straighten and rotate spine

44
Q

What is the function of the latissimus dorsi muscle?

A

extension, adduction, transverse extension, flexion

45
Q

What is the function of the trapezius muscle?

A

tilt/tuen head, shrug, twist arms

46
Q

What are the attachments of the erector spinae muscles?

A

medial crest of sacrum and spinous processes of lumbar, T11-12, supraspinous ligament

47
Q

What is the innervation of the erector spinae muscles?

A

DORSAL RAMI: posterior divisions of spinal nerves

between C1-L5

48
Q

At what vertebral level does the spinal cord terminate (in adult)?

A

L1-L2

49
Q

Which vertebral level is implied if there is a delayed ankle reflex?

A

L5-S1

Also most common place for disk herniation and disk regeneration