Anatomy Spine Flashcards
The spinal cord is continuous with which part of the brain?
Medulla oblongata
Where does C1 officially begin?
At the foramen magnum
At what vertebral level does the spinal cord end?
L2
After L2 vertebral level, the spinal cord becomes ?
The conus medullaris
What is contained in the cauda equina region?
A - spinal nerves
B - spinal nerve roots
B - spinal nerve roots
Where is the cauda equina region?
From L2 vertebral level -> coxyx
In the cauda equina region, where is the spinal nerve located?
Within intervertebral foramina
What is the function of the epidural fat which surrounds the spinal cord?
Acts as a shock absorber to protect the spinal cord from any trauma
When is a laminectomy procedure indicated?
To relieve pressure on spinal cord or nerve roots
What is a laminectomy?
Used to access the spinal canal, posterior exposure of the spinal cord and/or spinal roots
How many vertebrae are there in total?
33
The vertebrae get larger from superior -> inferior. Why is this?
As they are required to weight bear more
What type of joint is the vertebrae?
Synovial plane joint
Which part of the vertebrae produces blood cells (haematopoesis)?
Vertebral body
what are the curvatures of the vertebral column? Cervical lordosis/kyphosis? Thoracic lordosis/kyphosis? Lumbar lordosis/kyphosis? Sacral lordosis/kyphosis?
Cervical lordosis
Thoracic kyphosis
Lumbar lordosis
Sacralq kyphosis
What is the function of the vertebral foramen?
Conveys and protects the spinal cord
Which of the following are located more posteriorly? Lamina or pedicles
Lamina
Cervical vertebrae have transverse foramen. True or false?
True
What is unique about cervical vertebrae spinous processes?
They are bifid (spinous processes split into 2)
What shape are cervical vertebrae vertebral foramen?
Triangular
What is the name of C1 ?
Atlas
What are the features of C1?
No body, no spinous process
What is the name of C2?
Axis
What are the features of C2?
Odontoid process
The sacrum has intervertebral foramina. True or false?
False
- it has anterior and posterior sacral foramina
Sacrum - what are the ala?
The wings of the sacrum
The sacral hiatus is not palpable. True or false?
False
- it is palpable
Where does intervertebral foramen form?
Between adjacent vertebrae
Where are spinal nerves located?
intervertebral foramen
Where are facet joints located?
Between superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae
Intervertebral discs are secondary cartilaginous. True or false?
True
Where are intervertebral discs located?
Between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae
Intervertebral discs are located at every vertebral level. True or false?
False
- None between C1-C2
- None between fused sacrum/coccyx
Intervertebral disc - function
For strength and weight bearing
Intervertebral disc - what is the outer ring called?
Annulus fibrosis
strong, fibrous