Anatomy of the Spine Flashcards
what are the 33 vertebrae
7 cervical 12 thoracic 5 lumbar 5 sacral 4 coccygeal
how many curves does a healthy spine have
4
2 lordosis
2 kyphosis
what part of a vertebrae can u feel
spinus process
what vertebrae are atypical
atlas and axis - allow head rotation
vertebrae prominent (c7) sticks out
what type of joint are intervertebral disks
fibrocartilaginous joints
what is a facet joint
synovial joints allow movement (lateral flexion, extension) different sections of spine have differently orientated facet joints
why is thoracic spin less movable
ribs constrain it
what spinal joints get arthritis
facet joints
what happens to intervertebral discs with ageing
they loose water leading to overload of facet joints and osteoarthritis
what makes osteoarthritis in the facet joints worse
extension of the spine
how do u treat OA in one or two motion segments
localised fusion
contraversial as OA will affect adjacent level in 5 years
what is the outside of the intervertebral disc called
annulus fibrosus
what is the inside of the intervertebral disc called
nucleus pulpous
where do acute disc prolapse tend to occur
most at L4/5 or L5/S1
what causes disc prolapse
lifting heavy objects leading to annulus tear
will heat a twang
get pain on coughing
most settle by 3 months
where do motor neurons originate from
anteriorly
where do sensory neurons originate from
posteriorly
where does the spinal cord run
down the spinal canal formed by the vertebral foramina
where do mixed spinal nerves exit
the intervertebral foramen
what is sciatica
radiation of nerve pain along sensory distribution of sciatic nerve
what is spinal stenosis
nerve roots compressed by osteophytes and hypertrophied ligaments in OA
symptoms of spinal stenosis
radiculopathy or burning leg pain on walking = neurogenic claudication
what is Clauda equina syndrome
pressure on all lumbosarcral nerve roots at level of lesion including sacral nerve roots for bladder and bowel
symptoms of clauda equina
bilateral lower motor neurone signs
bladder and bowel disfunction
saddle anaesthesia
loss of anal tone
muscles of the spine
iliocostalis
longissimus thoracics
spinalis thoracics
all contribute to stability
where do u do a lumbar puncture
posterior iliac crest L4
or PSIS S2
most are most cases of back pain caused by
mechanical back pain related to joints, ligaments and muscles with no sinister red flags
symptoms of mechanical back pain
worse with activity
relieved by rest
long course of relapsing and remitting
may be related to obesity, poor posture poor lifting technique
